Lesson 4: The Geometry of
Fashion
Suggested Time: 60
minutes
Overview
Students will learn about various two-dimensional and three-dimensional
shapes, and learn why fashion design is really applied geometry! Then
they will practice actually sewing garments for their small models.
Vocabulary
-
Fashion
-
Design
-
Shape
-
Pattern
-
Square
-
Rectangle
-
Circle
-
Cylinder
-
Protractor
-
Ruler
Objectives
- Students will apply geometry to work with existing patterns and adapt
their own.
-
Students will conduct measurements to practice tailoring designs to
fit a model.
Next Generation Science
Standards
- MS-PS-1, MS-PS-4. Developing and Using Models.
-
MS-PS 1-3. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information.
-
ETS1.A, B, and C. Defining and Delimiting Design Problems, Developing
Possible Solutions, and Optimizing the Design Solution.
Common Core Mathematical
Standards
- G.GMD. Visualize Relationships Between Two- and Three-Dimensional
Objects
-
G.MG. Apply Geometric Concepts in Modeling Situations
-
G.CO. Make Geometric Constructions
-
NBT. Number and Operations in Base Ten
-
NF. Number and Operations—Fractions
Required Project
Materials
- Construction paper in various shades
-
Craft glue
-
Safety pins, adhesive velcro squares, and double-sided tape
-
Sewing kits (for upper-middle and high school students)
-
Wide variety of fabric from thrift stores and/or Jo-ann Fabrics’
discount fabric and remnants bin
-
Patterns (many free patterns can be found online)
Multimedia Resources
- How to Use, Adapt, and Design Sewing Patterns: from Store-Bought
Patterns to Drafting Your Own: a Complete Guide to Fashion Sewing with
Confidence . Lee Hollahan. http:// amzn.com/0764144251
-
Sewing Basics: All You Need to Know About Machine and Hand
Sewing . Sandra Bardwell.
http://amzn.com/1584799471
-
“Weights and Measures.” BarCharts Incorporated .
http://amzn.com/1572225483
Optional Multimedia
Resources
Before the Lesson/ Background
Information
-
Print out a variety of patterns to use during class. Make sure and
include both boys’ and girls’ clothes.
-
Choose adaptable patterns that will lend themselves to solving
geometry and measurement problems.
The Lesson
Part 1: Math is in Fashion (10
mins)
- Collect homework and review lessons learned from the measurement
exercises the class conducted during the last session.
-
Have the class identify what shapes they are wearing. For example,
most shirts are basically three cylinders sewn together: one for the
torso, and two for the sleeves. What about the round openings of the
sleeves: what shapes are those? Let the students have fun identifying
shapes in each other’s clothes.
Part 2: Construction Paper Clothing (15
mins)
- Using the protractor, ruler, and other tools, the students will cut
out perfect geometric shapes from the construction paper and shape
basic clothing items.
-
For example, students will need to cut out a rectangle to make a
cylinder.
-
Next, the students will make mini clothing items from the shapes they
cut out. They should try to dress the small models with their
construction paper clothing. Of course, the pieces won’t fit together
quite right!
-
Have the students experiment with cutting the joining parts of shapes
so that they fit together better.
Part 3: Patterns and Sewing (35
mins)
- The students will now work on making cloth items for the small models.
-
Separate the class into groups. Distribute several patterns of
different types to each group. For example, one group might get a
pattern for a dress, a hat, and a tie.
-
Next, each group will select fabrics and materials to use. Then they
will work on cutting out the patterns (on a much smaller scale, of
course). For reference, they can use How to Use, Adapt, and
Design Sewing Patterns: from Store-Bought Patterns to Drafting Your
Own: a Complete Guide to Fashion Sewing with Confidence .
-
Finally, the groups will sew their items for the small models, using
Sewing Basics: All You Need to Know About Machine and Hand
Sewing as a guide. Encourage the students to try a variety of
stitches found in the book.
Homework Due Next Class
- Work through a section of Fashion Illustration: Inspiration and
Technique and Designer Doodles: Over 100 Designs to Complete
and Create .
-
Remind students to bring their work from Fashion Illustration:
Inspiration and Technique and Designer Doodles: Over 100
Designs to Complete and Create to the next class session.
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