Gown Fitting, Adjustment and Permanent Sewing for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Garment Making
Previous Lesson: Gown Construction, Fabric Preparation and Pattern Layout
Topic: MAKING OF GOWN
Subject Matter: Fitting for correction and adjustment; Permanent sewing of the gown; Finishing the hem and other edges as desired; Fixing of price and packaging

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Explain the importance of fitting for correction and adjustment in garment making.
• Identify different methods for finishing hems and other edges.
• State factors to consider when fixing the price of a gown.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the need for precision and neatness in garment finishing.
• Develop an interest in the commercial aspects of garment production.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the process of fitting a gown for correction and adjustment.
• Perform permanent sewing techniques on a gown.
• Apply appropriate finishing techniques to the hem and other edges of a gown.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Garment Making for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Partially constructed gown (for demonstration)
• Sewing machine
• Hand sewing needles
• Threads
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Scissors
• Iron and ironing board
• Pricing tags/labels
• Packaging materials (e.g., plastic bags, hangers)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is essential as it covers the final critical steps in producing a wearable and marketable gown. Mastering fitting, permanent sewing, and finishing ensures a high-quality product, while understanding pricing and packaging equips students with basic entrepreneurial skills for potential self-employment.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have prior knowledge of pattern drafting, fabric cutting, and initial garment assembly techniques, including temporary stitching and basic machine operation.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

MAKING OF GOWN

Fitting for Correction and Adjustment

Fitting is the process of trying on a garment to check its conformity to the wearer’s body shape and making necessary alterations. It ensures the gown is comfortable, well-balanced, and aesthetically pleasing.

Steps for fitting a gown:

1. Have the wearer try on the partially sewn gown, ensuring proper undergarments are worn.
2. Check for balance, ease, and hang of the garment.
3. Identify areas that need adjustment, such as shoulders, bust, waist, hips, and length.
4. Mark corrections with pins or tailor’s chalk directly on the garment while it is being worn.
5. Remove the garment and transfer markings accurately.
6. Make the necessary adjustments by resewing seams or darts.
7. Re-fit the gown to confirm the corrections are satisfactory.

Permanent Sewing of the Gown

After fitting and making adjustments, the temporary stitches are replaced with permanent machine stitches. This secures all seams and structural elements of the gown.

Key considerations for permanent sewing:

1. Use appropriate stitch length and tension for the fabric type.
2. Ensure seams are straight and even.
3. Reinforce stress points such as armholes, necklines, and waistlines.
4. Trim seam allowances to reduce bulk and prevent fraying.
5. Press seams open or to one side as required by the design for a flat finish.

Finishing the Hem and Other Edges

Finishing involves neatening all raw edges of the garment to prevent fraying and give a professional appearance. The hem is the finished lower edge of the gown.

Common finishing techniques:

1. Hemming:
   1. Measure and mark the desired hem length accurately.
   2. Fold up the raw edge twice or use an overlock stitch before folding.
   3. Stitch the hem in place using a machine stitch (e.g., blind hem stitch) or hand stitch (e.g., slip stitch, catch stitch).
   4. Press the hem flat.
2. Other Edges (e.g., necklines, armholes):
   1. Facing: A piece of fabric cut to the shape of the edge, sewn to it, and turned inside.
   2. Binding: A strip of fabric used to enclose the raw edge.
   3. Overcasting/Serging: Using a machine stitch to prevent fraying.
   4. Lining: An inner layer of fabric that conceals raw seams and provides a neat finish.

Fixing Price and Packaging of the Gown

After a gown is completed, it needs to be priced and prepared for sale or delivery.

Factors for fixing price:

1. Cost of materials (fabric, thread, zippers, embellishments).
2. Labour cost (time spent on drafting, cutting, sewing, finishing).
3. Overhead costs (electricity, machine maintenance).
4. Desired profit margin.
5. Market value and competition.
6. Complexity of the design and quality of workmanship.

Packaging involves presenting the finished gown professionally.

Steps for packaging:

1. Inspect the gown for any loose threads or imperfections.
2. Iron the gown thoroughly to remove all wrinkles.
3. Fold the gown neatly or place it on a hanger.
4. Place the gown in a protective cover or bag (e.g., plastic garment bag).
5. Attach a price tag and care label.
6. Consider adding a personal touch like a thank-you note or branded tag.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Review/Engage

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher welcomes the students and briefly reviews the previous lesson on initial garment assembly. The teacher then introduces today’s topic, emphasizing the importance of the final stages of gown making for a professional finish and marketability.

Pupils’ Activity: Students recall previous knowledge and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Final garment stages importance

Step 2: Fitting for Correction and Adjustment

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses a partially constructed gown and a volunteer (or mannequin) to demonstrate the process of fitting. The teacher explains how to check for balance, ease, and hang, and how to mark areas for correction using pins or tailor’s chalk.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the demonstration and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Gown fitting demonstration

Step 3: Guided Practice on Fitting

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students in pairs to practice fitting on each other or on available mannequins, identifying and marking potential adjustments on their own or classmates’ partially sewn garments.

Pupils’ Activity: Students practice fitting and marking corrections under the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Practical fitting application

Step 4: Permanent Sewing of the Gown

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the transition from temporary to permanent stitches. The teacher demonstrates how to permanently sew the adjusted seams using the sewing machine, emphasizing correct stitch length, tension, and seam pressing.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the demonstration and note key points on permanent sewing.

Learning Point: Permanent sewing techniques

Step 5: Guided Practice on Permanent Sewing

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher supervises as students practice permanent sewing on their adjusted gown sections or fabric scraps, ensuring they apply the correct techniques.

Pupils’ Activity: Students practice permanent sewing under supervision.

Learning Point: Applying permanent stitches

Step 6: Finishing the Hem and Other Edges; Fixing Price and Packaging

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and briefly demonstrates various finishing techniques for hems and other edges. The teacher then leads a discussion on factors influencing gown pricing and the importance of professional packaging.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe, and participate in the discussion on finishing, pricing, and packaging.

Learning Point: Finishing, pricing, packaging

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Why is fitting important in gown making?
2. Mention two ways to finish a gown’s hem.
3. List three factors to consider when pricing a finished gown.
4. What is the purpose of packaging a gown?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Gown making process understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on fitting, permanent sewing, finishing, pricing, and packaging into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson by reiterating that careful fitting, permanent sewing, neat finishing, and professional presentation are key to creating a high-quality and marketable gown. The teacher encourages students to practice these skills diligently.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson’s main points.

Learning Point: Gown making skills consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Project/Practical Exercise

Instruction: Individually, complete the permanent sewing, hem, and edge finishing of a partially constructed garment (e.g., a simple blouse or skirt). Also, prepare a mock price tag and packaging plan for your finished garment, justifying your chosen price.

1. Complete all permanent seams on your garment.
2. Apply a suitable hem finish to your garment.
3. Finish all other raw edges (e.g., neckline, armholes) using an appropriate technique.
4. Calculate a hypothetical selling price for your garment, listing the factors considered.
5. Describe how you would package your finished garment for a customer.

Lesson Keywords

• Fitting – Trying on a garment to check its conformity and make alterations.
• Adjustment – Making changes to a garment to improve its fit.
• Permanent sewing – Final machine stitching that secures all seams.
• Finishing – Neatening raw edges of a garment to prevent fraying.
• Hem – The finished lower edge of a garment.
• Packaging – Preparing a finished garment for presentation or delivery.
• Pricing – Determining the selling cost of a product.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, provide pre-marked garments for fitting practice and offer extra guidance during permanent sewing and finishing. Faster learners can be challenged to research different types of hem finishes or explore advanced pricing strategies for custom-made garments.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search on YouTube for:
gown fitting and alterations garment making SS3
sewing hem finishing techniques garment making
how to price a sewn garment

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a partially constructed gown, all necessary sewing tools, and a sewing machine in good working condition for demonstrations. Begin by engaging students with a quick review of previous garment construction steps. Guide them through the practical demonstrations of fitting, marking adjustments, and permanent sewing, allowing ample time for guided practice. Emphasize the importance of neatness and precision in all finishing techniques. When discussing pricing and packaging, encourage students to think entrepreneurially. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the practical demonstrations and discussions. Provide individual feedback during practical sessions and ensure safety protocols are followed, especially when using sharp tools and sewing machines.