orientation CLASS
We want to ensure that all of our students get the most they possibly can out of their classes. In our experience, we’ve found that the best way to help you achieve this is to run the first class as an orientation session so that you know exactly how the studio runs, where everything is kept and most importantly, how to to operate our domestic and industrial sewing machines and overlockers.
Skills for all Sewers & Pattern Makers
1. Classroom Navigation
a. Safety procedures
b. Evacuation plan
c. Sign in and out book
d. First Aid Officer
e. Where to find supplies such as paper and pattern weights
f. How to record purchases.
2. Operation and functions for domestic and industrial sewing machines
a. Sewers physical position in relation to the sewing machine
b. Sewing machine feed dogs
c. Presser foot and different types of presser feet
d. Changing the presser foot
e. How stitches are formed
f. Operating features, dials and buttons
g. Sewing machine needle positions
h. Changing and replacing sew machine needles
i. A review of needle types and their uses (eg. sharps, ballpoints, universal & stretch)
j. Fabric feed and height compensation (shims)
k. Winding a bobbin and inserting it into the bobbin case
l. Threading the machine
m. Sewing straight lines, curved lines, and a dart
n. Correct tension for both needle and bobbin
o. Test finishes and machine operation before sewing garments.
3. Overlockers
a. Operating features, dials and buttons
b. Feed dogs and differential feed
c. Stitch fingers and stitch formation
d. Threading an overlocker
e. Sewing an edge, a seam line and an inward and outward corners and curves with an overlocker.
4. Sewing Equipment
a. Explanation of items on the equipment list and their functions
b. Recommendations on equipment suited to your project.
5. Marking and interpreting fitting changes to a pattern
a. Explanation of grainline and how it affects the hang of a garment
b. Explanation of notches and how to mark them
c. Use of a grading ruler to mark sew lines and seam allowances
d. How to mark alterations pinned on a garment and transfer them to a pattern.
6. Pressing Equipment
a. Explanation of the use of the iron and other pressing equipment
b. Techniques to shrink and stretch fabric, pressing an open seam and a pressing a dart.
For those using commercial patterns
a. Explanation of pattern envelope and sizing
b. Explanation of the information relating to pattern piece selection and fabric layout
c. Review and choice of pattern and suitable fabric
d. Review of tissue fitting and sample garment
e. Project tracker and garment plan for sewing projects.