A clothing factory
Clothes protect us from cold and heat and also show a person’s taste. Sewing is one of the oldest crafts. In an atelier (a tailor’s workshop) each customer is measured and a garment is made just for them. Clothes that many people need, such as school uniforms, are sewn in a factory from ready patterns for different sizes. A garment goes this way: a model is designed → a drawing and pattern are made → the cloth is cut out → the parts are sewn together → final finishing. A designer (invents how the garment looks), a constructor (draws patterns), a cutter (cuts the cloth by the pattern) and a sewer (sews on a sewing machine) take part. To find your size, height and chest circumference are measured with a tape measure.
You need: a tape measure, two 10×12 cm pieces of felt, thick thread (40 cm), a blunt-tipped needle, chalk or pencil, scissors, a pincushion. A) Measuring: 1) A friend measures your height against a wall. 2) Measure your chest under the arms with the tape flat and not too tight. 3) Write down the numbers. B) Pouch: 1) Place the two felt pieces together and draw a chalk line 1 cm from the edge on three sides. 2) An adult threads the needle and ties a knot. 3) Sew with running stitch: needle down through the felt, up again, about 5 mm apart. 4) Sew three sides and tie a knot; the top stays open. 5) Decorate the pouch. Safety: stick the needle only into the pincushion; count needles before and after work; never put a needle or thread in your mouth; only adults use the sewing machine and iron.