Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: Third Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Clothing and Textiles
Curriculum Theme: Clothing and Textiles
Previous Lesson: Making Simple Garments: Pattern Laying and Cutting Out.
Topic: MAKING SIMPLE GARMENTS
Subject Matter: Tacking garment pieces, preparing for first fitting, checking fit during first fitting

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define tacking and state its purpose.
List the steps involved in preparing a garment for a first fitting.
Explain how to check for proper fit during a garment fitting.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of accurate tacking for a good garment fit.
Value the process of fitting to achieve a professional finish.

Psychomotor Domain:

Tack garment pieces correctly in preparation for a fitting.
Prepare a garment for a first fitting by marking and securing seams.
Identify common fitting issues on a garment during a first fitting.

Collaborate with peers to assist in fitting and identifying garment issues.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Education Curriculum for Clothing and Textiles.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools.
Obe, O. (2018). Clothing and Textile for Senior Secondary Schools 1. Macmillan Publishers.
https://www.education.gov.ng
https://www.nerdc.gov.ng

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Garment pieces (cut fabric for a simple garment like a skirt or blouse).
Sewing tools (needles, pins, thimble, measuring tape, tailor’s chalk, scissors).
Contrasting thread for tacking.
Mannequin or a pupil to serve as a model for fitting demonstration.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the essential steps in garment construction that ensure a well-fitting garment. Learning to tack and conduct a first fitting enables pupils to correct errors early, preventing wasted materials and effort, and leading to a more satisfactory final product.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have basic knowledge of different sewing tools, fabric types, and simple seam construction.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

MAKING SIMPLE GARMENTS: Tacking and First Fitting

Tacking Garment Pieces

Tacking, also known as basting, is the process of temporarily joining two or more pieces of fabric together with large, loose stitches before permanent machine stitching. It is done to hold fabric layers in place, check fit, and ensure accuracy.

The following are reasons for tacking:

To hold fabric layers together temporarily.
To allow for easy adjustments during fitting.
To prevent fabric from shifting while machine stitching.
To mark design lines or construction details.

Preparing for First Fitting

Preparation for the first fitting involves assembling the garment pieces with temporary stitches to check the overall shape and fit on the body.

The following are steps to prepare for a first fitting:

Cut out all garment pieces accurately according to the pattern.
Mark all essential pattern markings (e.g., darts, pleats, seam lines, balance marks) onto the fabric.
Tack all major seams (shoulders, side seams, darts, centre back/front) using contrasting thread.
Leave openings for zippers, plackets, or other fasteners.
Do not hem or finish edges at this stage.

Checking Fit During First Fitting

The first fitting is a critical stage where the garment’s fit is assessed on the intended wearer and necessary adjustments are made before permanent stitching.

The following are points to check during a first fitting:

Overall Balance: Ensure the garment hangs evenly and straight without pulling or twisting.
Seam Lines: Check that shoulder, side, and dart seams follow the natural curves of the body.
Ease: Assess if there is enough room for movement without being too loose or too tight.
Neckline and Armholes: Ensure they lie smoothly and are not gaping or too restrictive.
Length: Determine the desired length of the garment.
Waistline: Confirm the waistline sits comfortably at the natural waist or desired position.
Problem Areas: Look for wrinkles, puckering, or areas of tightness that indicate a poor fit.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction/Recalling Prior Knowledge
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reminds them of the previous lesson on garment construction steps. The teacher then asks pupils what they think happens after cutting fabric pieces but before sewing them permanently. The teacher introduces “tacking” and “fitting” as key steps to ensure a good garment.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the new topic.

Step 2: Explanation and Demonstration of Tacking

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines tacking and explains its purpose. Using pre-cut garment pieces, the teacher demonstrates how to tack seams accurately using contrasting thread, emphasizing even stitches and correct seam allowances.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration carefully, ask questions for clarification, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition and practical application of tacking.

Step 3: Practical Activity – Tacking Garment Pieces

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Application/Supervision
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes garment pieces (e.g., skirt front and back) and instructs pupils to tack the side seams and any darts on their pieces. The teacher moves around the classroom, providing individual assistance and correcting techniques.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice tacking their garment pieces under the teacher’s guidance.
Learning Point: Pupils develop practical skills in tacking garment seams.

Step 4: Explanation of Preparing for First Fitting

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Instruction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the steps involved in preparing a garment for a first fitting, such as marking, tacking all major seams, and leaving openings. The teacher emphasizes the importance of these preparations.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes on the preparation steps.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the systematic approach to preparing a garment for fitting.

Step 5: Practical Activity – Preparing for First Fitting

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Application/Guidance
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to ensure all necessary seams on their tacked garment pieces are ready for a fitting, checking for correct markings and temporary closures. The teacher may ask some pupils to try on their tacked garments briefly if time permits.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils complete the preparation of their garment pieces for fitting.
Learning Point: Pupils apply the preparation steps practically.

Step 6: Explanation and Demonstration of Checking Fit

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what to look for during a first fitting using a tacked garment on a mannequin or a pupil. The teacher points out common fitting issues like tightness, gaping, or unevenness, and how to identify them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration, noting the key areas to check for fit.
Learning Point: Pupils learn how to assess garment fit and identify common problems.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Define tacking and state two reasons why it is important.
Mention three steps to prepare a garment for a first fitting.
List four points to check when assessing the fit of a garment.
What is the purpose of using contrasting thread for tacking?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of tacking and fitting for successful garment construction. The teacher assigns pupils to review their notes and continue practicing tacking at home.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and note down the assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further practice.

Lesson Keywords

Tacking – Temporary stitches used to hold fabric pieces together.
Fitting – The process of trying on a garment to check and adjust its shape and size.
Basting – Another term for tacking.
Seam allowance – The area between the seam line and the raw edge of the fabric.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can provide more complex garment patterns to tack or challenge them to identify subtle fitting issues. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide closer supervision during practical activities, offer simpler garment pieces, and use visual aids repeatedly to reinforce understanding.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure pupils have all necessary tools before the practical session. Emphasize safety when using needles and pins. Encourage pupils to work carefully and precisely, as accuracy in tacking directly impacts the success of the fitting. Provide ample opportunity for pupils to practice tacking and identify fit issues on each other’s garments or a mannequin.