Hand Sewing
What are two situations where you might choose hand sewing instead of using a sewing machine?
What is used when sewing delicate fabrics, attaching buttons, or finishing hems.
What is the difference between a natural fiber and a synthetic fiber?
Natural fibers come from plants or animals (cotton, wool). Synthetic fibers are man-made (polyester, nylon).
What is the purpose of patternmaking in garment production?
What is Patternmaking creates paper templates for cutting and assembling fabric pieces accurately.
What is the difference between warp and weft yarns?
What is Warp = vertical yarns; Weft = horizontal yarns.
What part moves the fabric forward as you sew?
What is feed dogs.
Why is accuracy important when taking body measurements?
What is Accurate measurements ensure garments fit properly and look professional.
Why might precision and control be more important than speed in hand sewing?
What is hand sewing offers more control and precision for detailed or delicate work.
Why might a designer choose to dye fabric before vs. after it is woven or knitted?
What is Pre-dyeing (fiber/yarn stage) gives even color; post-dyeing (piece/garment stage) allows design flexibility.
Name four tools used in patternmaking and describe their functions.
What is Tools: ruler (measure), tracing wheel (transfer markings), French curve (shape curves), measuring tape.
What does the grainline on a pattern tell you about how to place your pattern piece on the fabric?
what is The grainline shows how to align the pattern parallel to the fabric’s selvage for proper drape.
What should you do if the machine starts to jam or beep while sewing?
What is stop sewing immediately, Stop sewing, raise the presser foot, check threading and bobbin, and clear the jam safely. or call Ms. Lewis over to the machine.
What three main body areas must always be measured before making a fitted top?
What is Bust, waist, hips.
Explain how using the wrong stitch type could affect the quality or durability of a garment.
What is using the wrong stitch type can cause puckering, loose seams, or uneven hems.
How do finishes like stain resistance or flame resistance impact the performance of fabrics in real-life use?
What is finishes like stain- or flame-resistance improve performance, durability, and safety.
Why is it important to understand grainlines, notches, and seam allowances before cutting fabric?
What is They control fabric direction, ensure alignment, and maintain the correct shape when sewn.
Why is it important to mark darts and notches accurately on your pattern pieces?
What is Darts shape the fabric; notches help match seams — missing them causes fit issues.
Describe the difference between the function of the bobbin and the top thread.
What is Bobbin = holds lower thread; top thread interlocks with it to form a stitch.
How can inaccurate measurements affect garment fit and design outcome?
What is Garment may be too tight, loose, or uneven and wastes fabric and time.
What is the difference between a temporary stitch and a permanent stitch, and when would you use each?
What is temporary = basting/tacking (holds fabric in place). Permanent = backstitch/slip stitch (long-term durability).
Imagine you’re designing athletic wear — what fibers, dyeing method, and finishes would you choose and why?
What is Athletic wear → synthetic fibers (polyester/spandex), solution-dyed for colorfastness, moisture-wicking and antimicrobial finishes.
How does patternmaking help ensure a garment fits properly and looks balanced on the body?
What is Ensures proper fit, balance, and proportion for the body before cutting expensive fabric.
What might happen to a garment if the pattern is cut off-grain or on the bias when it shouldn’t be?
What is Off-grain fabric twists or hangs unevenly; bias cuts can stretch and distort the fit.
Why is threading your sewing machine correctly essential for good stitch quality?
What is Incorrect threading causes loops, breakage, or skipped stitches.
What strategies or tools help ensure measurement accuracy when fitting a client or model?
What is Use a soft measuring tape, measure over light clothing, double-check measurements, and write them down immediately.
If your garment requires a hidden hem with a clean finish, which stitch would you choose and why?
What is Slip stitch — it’s invisible and perfect for clean hems or closing linings.
How does understanding fiber content help a designer predict how a fabric will behave during washing, sewing, or wearing?
What is Fiber content determines stretch, shrinkage, dye reaction, and how the fabric behaves when sewn or cleaned.
You’re designing a new jacket and your pattern doesn’t align correctly — what are three possible causes and how could you fix them?
What is Misalignment could be from incorrect grainline, uneven seam allowance, or poor tracing; fix by redrawing or rechecking notches and darts. Misalignment could be from incorrect grainline, uneven seam allowance, or poor tracing; fix by redrawing or rechecking notches and darts.
Explain how fabric structure (woven vs. knit) affects the way you lay out and cut bodice pieces.
What is Woven fabrics hold shape (good for structure); knits stretch (better for fitted bodices).
A student’s machine keeps skipping stitches — list three possible causes and how to fix them.
what is dull needle, wrong tension, improper threading — fix by rethreading, adjusting tension, and replacing the needle.
Explain the difference between body measurements and finished garment measurements — why do both matter?
What is Body measurements = person’s actual size; finished measurements = garment after sewing (includes ease and design allowance).