Class Activity
Textile Technology 12
Textile Technology 12
Assignment 7: Sewing - Character Doll
Note: this activity will take place in conjunction with Assignment 5/6: Dyeing
Tools and Materials
dyed yarn(s) and fabric from Assignment 5/6
character pattern (student's design)
fabric of choice for character's body, preferably recycled (sheet, t-shirt, fleece, towel, tea towel, etc.)
thread
sewing machine and/or serger
standard sewing tools (scissors, needles, pins, measuring tape, etc.)
embellishments (optional)
bending wire (optional)
acrylic paint, make-up (optional)
Background
You will have already: a) studied a little about character development and costume; b) sketched the stuffed character you will make; c) learned about the potential problems in sewing three-dimensional objects (e.g.; inside and outside corners); d) drawn, cut out and tested your pattern with scrap fabric.
Activity
1. Plan where you will stuff the character from (may be more than one place) and mark pattern so that you don't sew that seam shut. Cut out fabric, using it as efficiently as possible in case you need to re-cut a piece later.
2. Decide which sewing machine will suit your needs best. Decide whether there will need to be any hand-sewn parts as well, and whether they need to be completed first.
3. Plan your order of work. Some parts may need to be sewn and stuffed and pinned into another seam, for example triangles that have to be stuffed before being sewn into the backbone seam of a dinosaur. Some embellishments may need to be attached before a part of the body is closed off by a seam, for example safety eyes and embellishments that are hammered in place such as rhinestones, studs or grommets. If you are sewing your dyed "hair" into a seam, remember that the long ends are sandwiched between the main part of the fabric and the short ends are in the seam allowance!
4. Because you are not working from a commercial pattern basting is especially important to avoid mistakes and ensure a good fit for the pieces. For each seam, turn inside out to see if it is correct. Sew proper seam (hand or machine, as appropriate). Turn right side out to check your seam. Turn it again and sew again to reinforce seams and stress points. Clip and trim seams if necessary, but remember that stuffing will stress the seams. Press, if possible, to set seam.
4. Insert bending wire, if using. Stuff. Use invisible closing seam and small stitches to sew shut. Visit Invisible Closing Seam for step-by-step instructions, if needed.
5. Now that your character is three-dimensional, revisit your pattern for its clothes/accessories that you will make with your dyed wool/silk. Make adjustments as necessary to your pattern. Test with scrap fabric as you have a very limited amount of the dyed fabric and won't be able to make cutting mistakes. Modify pattern or use test fabric for your pattern. Proceed.
6. Assemble character with clothes, accessories and any finishing touches. Pose and put in the display case with any props or background you feel would be suitable. Include a small label card with the character's name and yours.
dyed yarn(s) and fabric from Assignment 5/6
character pattern (student's design)
fabric of choice for character's body, preferably recycled (sheet, t-shirt, fleece, towel, tea towel, etc.)
thread
sewing machine and/or serger
standard sewing tools (scissors, needles, pins, measuring tape, etc.)
embellishments (optional)
bending wire (optional)
acrylic paint, make-up (optional)
Background
You will have already: a) studied a little about character development and costume; b) sketched the stuffed character you will make; c) learned about the potential problems in sewing three-dimensional objects (e.g.; inside and outside corners); d) drawn, cut out and tested your pattern with scrap fabric.
Activity
1. Plan where you will stuff the character from (may be more than one place) and mark pattern so that you don't sew that seam shut. Cut out fabric, using it as efficiently as possible in case you need to re-cut a piece later.
2. Decide which sewing machine will suit your needs best. Decide whether there will need to be any hand-sewn parts as well, and whether they need to be completed first.
3. Plan your order of work. Some parts may need to be sewn and stuffed and pinned into another seam, for example triangles that have to be stuffed before being sewn into the backbone seam of a dinosaur. Some embellishments may need to be attached before a part of the body is closed off by a seam, for example safety eyes and embellishments that are hammered in place such as rhinestones, studs or grommets. If you are sewing your dyed "hair" into a seam, remember that the long ends are sandwiched between the main part of the fabric and the short ends are in the seam allowance!
4. Because you are not working from a commercial pattern basting is especially important to avoid mistakes and ensure a good fit for the pieces. For each seam, turn inside out to see if it is correct. Sew proper seam (hand or machine, as appropriate). Turn right side out to check your seam. Turn it again and sew again to reinforce seams and stress points. Clip and trim seams if necessary, but remember that stuffing will stress the seams. Press, if possible, to set seam.
4. Insert bending wire, if using. Stuff. Use invisible closing seam and small stitches to sew shut. Visit Invisible Closing Seam for step-by-step instructions, if needed.
5. Now that your character is three-dimensional, revisit your pattern for its clothes/accessories that you will make with your dyed wool/silk. Make adjustments as necessary to your pattern. Test with scrap fabric as you have a very limited amount of the dyed fabric and won't be able to make cutting mistakes. Modify pattern or use test fabric for your pattern. Proceed.
6. Assemble character with clothes, accessories and any finishing touches. Pose and put in the display case with any props or background you feel would be suitable. Include a small label card with the character's name and yours.
Very thoughtful; very clearly laid out. I hope you get to use this plan in your teaching, Heather.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the step-by-step link on "invisible closing seam". I will be using this with my class and for my final project for assignment 7 to try a hand-sewing finishing technique on my bag.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great detailed project that would give the students a glimpse of more in depth projects than some of the very simple sewing activities they sometimes see. I like it! Great plan!
ReplyDelete