Here is an interesting idea - have students create fashion capes for children at SickKids Hospital. Click on the title link above for a video and details from the Golbal News. Your students may be able to work with their local hospitals. Simple, creative, and purposeful!
Check out your local hospital or birthing centers. They are always in need of little knitted hats for their new borns!
A class project idea - each student creates a "pocket" and then they all get sewn together on a pannel to create a pocket calendar, attendance holder, or other visual aid needed in other classrooms.
Does your school have a drama department or put on theater performances? Collaborate and see if they have costumes that need repairing that allow your students to work on their skills. Or perhaps they need new costumes that your students can help create (and remember...you can share their budget!!!)
Elementary School or Community Living Calendars, Attendance boards, etc
Costume Creation & Repair
{Project Ideas}
Sew.....what are they going to make???
While students will brainstorm ideas for fashion wear, here are a few to get you started. Below are ideas for both learning and perfecting sewing skills in addition to creating projects. The suggestions were chosen with community and school connections in mind. Not only will these projects create connections for the students, they may also help you access school budget or donations for materials.
Community Connections
Drawstring Bags
Table Cloths
Gym classes or other school departments may be in need of drawstring mesh equipment bags, or bags for organizing other items. Ask around....its a simple project that students would enjoy seeing their own work in other areas of the school!
Aprons
Combine math, sewing, and school spirit! Does your school host events? Do they need nice table cloths to hide the 60 year old tables? Have students measure the tables, account for over hang, and prepare their own patterns and templates. They can choose fabrics that include the school colours or add emblems.
Re-useable
Bags
Have your fashion students create fashionalble and functional aprons for your food & nutrition labs. They could also make matching cooking tie back hats. Also a good gift idea
For individual or department use, reuseable bags are a great eco-project! They also make creative and personal volunteer appreciation gifts. Students can make them for family gifts, or use them for organizing their own fashion supplies. They can add inner pockets, outer pockets, zipers, emblems, or other fashionable elements. A great summative project idea.
Scarves or Hats for Homeless Shelters
Hats for Babes
Connect with your local shelters. They are always in need of scarves and hats for their clients.
In addition to other fashion sewing patterns and ideas, the link above provides details on charitable projects such as chemotherapy hats and headwraps, adult bibs, wheelchair tote bags, etc. Students could really get creative and feel a sense of pride and purpose to their project. Operation Smile is a Canadian charity with other project ideas including children gowns, arm bands, smile dolls, and baby bankets.