Help Needed With A Lesson Plan For Stitch-Work In Accessories

[billymac814]

I'm having a hard time seeing the logistics of it. Even if you have doubles or triples of tools if there's 30 people sharing them it'll take 6 hours to get through a case. I'd say you'd at least need 15 awls and sets of needles, and at least 7 or 8 machines so half the class can be machine stitching while the rest are hand stitching. You'd obviously need a helper as well. This may be easier to come by now that you mention it'll be a class full of girls:-).

I'd stick with very simple projects. The cell case would be good if you had pre cut kits that they just had to stitch together. Maybe those hair Berets(sp?) that get laced together. Small change purses are simple enough too.

I'm thinking you'll barely be able to skim the surface what you're trying to teach them. Would it be possible to just forget about the lacing and just lightly touch on hand stitching? Chances are that these students will likely go on to something that involves a sewing machine more often than lacing or hand stitching and those can both be self taught fairly easily with the books available and lacing varies greatly depending on style. If you teach someone a simple whipstitch it doesnt do them any good if they want to do a round braid or triple loop. its not quite as easy to read a book about machine stitching although this too varies greatly but at least they have the basics.

[franelli]

I have asked for the student number to be no more than 15. The machines are there as we use these in upholstery. I have enough needles and about 6 awls.

Hair barrettes are a good idea too, thanks. I should maybe look for some template for iphones. Perhaps cut one out as a demo and have 15 already cut ready to stitch or lace together.

Thanks for your ideas, Billy

[electrathon]

My thought is to make luggage tags. Teaches cutting, Layout. Glue up. dying and finishing. Edge burninhing and either sewing or lacing. Possibly both.