Note for teachers using this lesson plan
This lesson introduces students to the fundamental requirements and costing involved in establishing a garment-making business. Teachers should prepare visual aids of various sewing tools and equipment, and if possible, arrange for a virtual or physical tour of a local garment-making outfit to provide practical insight. By the end of the lesson, students should be able to identify key requirements and make basic cost estimations for starting such a business.
Class: SSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Garment Making
Curriculum Theme: Entrepreneurship in Garment Making
Previous Lesson: Gown Fitting, Adjustment and Permanent Sewing
Topic: GARMENT MAKING BUSINESS
Subject Matter: Space, sewing tools, and equipment; Skilled personnel; Estimating the cost of each basic requirement
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify the essential requirements for setting up a garment-making business.
- List various sewing tools and equipment necessary for garment production.
- Describe the importance of skilled personnel in a garment-making business.
- Explain the process of estimating the cost for basic business requirements.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate the identification of basic sewing tools and equipment.
- Calculate the estimated cost for specific basic requirements of a garment-making business.
Affective Domain
- Appreciate the importance of thorough planning in business ventures.
- Value the contribution of skilled personnel to the success of a garment-making enterprise.
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 Textbook
- The HeadTeacher Scheme of Work
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Charts showing different types of sewing tools and equipment
- Pictures or videos of a garment-making workshop
- Actual samples of basic sewing tools (e.g., scissors, tape measure, pins)
- Whiteboard and markers
- Calculator
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important as it equips students with practical knowledge about the foundational elements required to start a garment-making business. Understanding these requirements and their associated costs is crucial for effective business planning and decision-making, preparing students for potential entrepreneurial ventures in the future.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Students should have basic knowledge of garment construction processes and familiarisation with some common sewing tools from previous lessons.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Requirements and Costing for a Garment-Making Business
Basic Requirements for a Garment-Making Business
- Space
- Sewing Tools and Equipment
- Skilled Personnel
Detailed Requirements
Space
The physical area where business operations will take place. Considerations include:
- Workshop/Production Area: For cutting, sewing, and finishing garments. Needs to be well-lit and ventilated.
- Retail/Showroom Area: For displaying and selling finished garments (optional, depending on business model).
- Storage Area: For raw materials (fabrics, threads, accessories) and finished goods.
- Location: Accessibility to customers, suppliers, and skilled labour.
Sewing Tools and Equipment
Essential items needed for garment production:
- Hand Tools:
- Scissors (fabric shears, thread snips)
- Measuring Tape
- Pins and Pin Cushion
- Hand Needles
- Thimble
- Seam Ripper/Unpicker
- Tailor’s Chalk/Fabric Marker
- Machines:
- Sewing Machine (Industrial or Domestic)
- Overlocking Machine (Serger)
- Buttonhole Machine (optional)
- Other Equipment:
- Cutting Table
- Iron and Ironing Board
- Dress Form/Mannequin
- Storage Units (shelves, cabinets)
Skilled Personnel
Individuals with the necessary expertise to perform various tasks in garment production:
- Tailors/Seamstresses: Responsible for sewing and assembling garments.
- Cutters: Skilled in accurately cutting fabric according to patterns.
- Designers: Create garment designs and patterns.
- Finishers: Handle final touches like pressing, trimming threads, and quality control.
- Importance: Skilled personnel ensure high-quality products, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Estimating the Cost of Basic Requirements
Estimating costs involves calculating the approximate expenses for each requirement. This helps in budgeting and financial planning.
- Cost of Space:
- Rent or lease payments for the workshop/store.
- Renovation or fitting-out costs (e.g., painting, electrical work).
- Cost of Sewing Tools and Equipment:
- Purchase price of each sewing machine (new or used).
- Cost of hand tools and other equipment.
- Maintenance and repair costs.
- Cost of Skilled Personnel:
- Salaries or wages for tailors, cutters, and other staff.
- Training costs (if applicable).
- Other Potential Costs:
- Utilities (electricity, water).
- Raw materials (fabrics, threads, zippers, buttons).
- Marketing and advertising.
- Business registration and licenses.
Example of Basic Cost Estimation
Consider a small garment-making business:
- Space (Rent): N50,000 per month
- Sewing Machine (2 units): N150,000 each = N300,000
- Overlocking Machine (1 unit): N100,000
- Cutting Table: N40,000
- Hand Tools (Assorted): N15,000
- Skilled Tailor (1 staff, monthly salary): N60,000
- Initial Raw Materials: N30,000
Estimated Initial Setup Cost (excluding monthly rent/salary for simplicity): N300,000 + N100,000 + N40,000 + N15,000 + N30,000 = N485,000
Estimated Monthly Operating Cost (Rent + Salary + Initial Materials): N50,000 + N60,000 + N30,000 = N140,000
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Discussion, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to imagine starting their own clothing line. The teacher then asks what they think would be the very first things they would need to get started.
Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by mentioning ideas like money, machines, a place, or people to help.
Learning Point: Activating prior knowledge
Step 2: Identifying Basic Requirements
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the topic and guides students to identify the three main basic requirements for a garment-making business: space, sewing tools and equipment, and skilled personnel. The teacher uses charts and pictures to illustrate each point.
Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe the charts, and list the basic requirements in their minds or on rough paper.
Learning Point: Core business requirements
Step 3: Discussing Space Requirements
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the different types of space needed (workshop, storage, retail) and factors to consider like location, size, and ventilation. The teacher encourages students to discuss why each aspect is important.
Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the discussion, offering reasons for specific space requirements.
Learning Point: Importance of business space
Step 4: Exploring Sewing Tools and Equipment
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays actual basic sewing tools and pictures of equipment. The teacher demonstrates how to identify and briefly describe the function of each tool and equipment (e.g., scissors, tape measure, sewing machine, cutting table).
Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the demonstration, identify the tools, and ask questions about their uses.
Learning Point: Essential sewing tools
Step 5: Understanding Skilled Personnel
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Clarification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the roles of different skilled personnel in a garment-making business (e.g., tailors, cutters, designers) and emphasizes why their expertise is vital for quality and efficiency.
Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and understand the importance of human resources in the business.
Learning Point: Role of skilled labour
Step 6: Estimating Costs
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Calculation/Problem Solving
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of cost estimation for each requirement (space, tools, personnel). Using the example provided in the Board Summary, the teacher guides students through a simple calculation of initial setup and monthly operating costs.
Pupils’ Activity: Students follow the calculation steps and ask questions for clarity.
Learning Point: Basic cost estimation
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- Mention three basic requirements for a garment-making business.
- List three essential sewing tools and two pieces of equipment.
- Why are skilled personnel important in garment making?
- If a sewing machine costs N120,000 and rent is N40,000 per month, what is the initial cost of these two items?
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Requirements and costing knowledge
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 requirements and costing for a garment-making business into their notebooks.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Recording lesson information
Step 9: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarizing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the lesson by reiterating that careful planning of requirements and costs is key to starting a successful garment-making business.
Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and internalize the summary.
Learning Point: Business planning importance
Continuous Assessment/Further Study
Type: Homework/Project
Instruction: Students are to research and create a simple budget plan for setting up a small garment-making business in their local area. They should consider:
- Estimated rent for a small workshop.
- Cost of at least two sewing machines.
- Monthly salary for one skilled tailor.
- Initial cost of basic raw materials (e.g., fabric, thread).
- Any other relevant costs they can identify.
Lesson Keywords
- Garment Making – The process of creating clothes and other textile products.
- Requirements – The necessary items or conditions needed for a purpose.
- Costing – The process of estimating or determining the cost of something.
- Skilled Personnel – Individuals with specialized training and expertise.
- Equipment – Tools or apparatus used for a specific purpose.
Differentiation
For weaker learners, the teacher will provide simplified lists of requirements and a pre-filled cost estimation template to guide their calculations. Faster learners can be challenged to research additional costs like marketing, utilities, and business registration fees, and present a more detailed business plan.
Suggested Lesson Videos
For visual reinforcement, search YouTube for:
starting a garment making business nigeria
essential sewing tools and equipment
Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have visual aids like charts or pictures of various sewing tools, equipment, and a typical garment workshop. If possible, bring actual basic sewing tools for a hands-on demonstration. Begin by engaging students with a relatable scenario about starting a business. Guide them through identifying the core requirements: space, tools/equipment, and skilled personnel, using the visuals to make the concepts concrete. Emphasize the practical application of cost estimation by working through the example together. During the evaluation, ensure questions directly assess their understanding of the identified requirements and basic costing. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the evaluation to consolidate their learning. Encourage a field trip or virtual tour to a local garment-making outfit if feasible, as this activity will greatly enhance their understanding and provide real-world context.

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