Sewing

Drawing on her background in the fashion industry, sewing teacher Patricia Moran introduces students to the process of product development. Students learn to take their ideas from sketch to finished piece. Using their math skills, students work with rulers, fractions, and measurements to create their own patterns. In the process, they develop the ability to transform two-dimensional information into a three-dimensional object.

“I want them to discover that just because someone says a pattern is like this, doesn’t mean you can’t make your own decision to create it in a different way.” - Patricia Moran, sewing teacher

Middle School

Students in grades 4 – 6 can choose to take sewing during the sign-up period from 3:00 – 4:00 pm.

Students in grade 4 are introduced to stitching through projects such as creating a stuffed animal or apron. In grade 5, students make a pillow or throw blanket using the nine-square quilting method; and, in grade 6, students have the option to make a bean-bag chair, robe, pants, or a skirt.

Upper School

Sewing is offered as an arts elective each term for students in grades 7 – 9. Each project—from a bean-bag chair to a hand-appliquéd quilt—teaches fundamental skills ranging from embroidery stitches to understanding the three types of fabric grains. Practice with a measuring tape trains their eyes to see dimension, and the opportunity to create their own fabric print deepens their understanding of color.

In ninth grade, experienced students have the opportunity to pursue advanced techniques such as draping and fashion design.

“My hope primarily is to open them up to see how product design is created. Whether in their life they end up at Microsoft or Apple. . . they can see possibility. They can see shape. And they can see form. They are able to sew a garment and stitch well. It opens the door of possibility.” – Patricia Moran, sewing teacher