51ºÚÁÏ

Experienced sewing teachers and students can often create their own designs and patterns off the top of their heads to create amazing items. Less experienced or beginner sewing students (or non-sewing teachers needing to teach a sewing class!) need in-depth and easy to follow/understand instructions to create their sewing/textiles projects.

These instructions are for a standard size zippered cushion cover and can be used to assist students in learning the hands on skills of:

• measuring and cutting a simple square pattern
• pinning fabric
• understanding the terms right sides together, wring sides together, raw edges, seam allowance, back stitching, press and overlock
• overlocking or zigzagging raw edges together to prevent fraying
• insert a dress zip (the easy way!)
• adjusting sewing machine feet (standard & zipper)
• matching thread to fabric

The first page of the instructions consists of a checklist of materials each student will need to collect or purchase and a glossary of sewing specific terms they will need to understand in order to be able to follow the instructions and produce their cushion cover. Subsequent pages in the instructions PDF include a step-by-step process from making the pattern to the finished end product, each task with its own check box for students to tick off as they complete - making it easy for them and you to know where they are up to. Photos are incorporated into the instructions to assist with showing students how to complete the task or to compare their attempt at the relevant step, making it easier for the more advanced students in the class to move ahead on their own, while the teacher can be left to help other students in need.

Depending on the required number of set practical lessons each week, capability of the students and when combined with theory lessons, this project can take students 8-10 weeks to complete.