Teachers in
learner-directed classrooms sometimes remark that their students
challenge themselves more than the teacher would if the class was
teacher-directed. This is certainly the case with a recent 8th
grader's work in the Fabrics & Fibers Center.
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| Jacket - meet skirt! |
A
fan of the television show “Project Runway,” “S”
decided to construct a fitted jacket. She found some beautiful
(donated) grey wool, pulled out our (donated) dress form, and began –
sans pattern! In a million years I would not have been able to guide
her through inset sleeves (I once sewed a sleeve into a garment,
inside out, three times
in a row!)
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| Authentic collaboration |
Another “true fact” is that artists are inspired by other
artists. This is one of the advantages for artists working together
in a community studio-setting. So it should be no surprise that once
fashion design was undertaken by one student, others were inspired to
make clothes as well. While “S” worked on fitting her jacket to a
patient model, “C” constructed a cotton skirt to complete the
look.
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| First time using the sewing machine - to construct a "poncho," while nearby a student works on a series of appliqued pillow designs |
In this way, a student who is a beginner can happily work alongside a
student with more experience. The experienced student gets company
and someone to bounce ideas off of, and the newcomer can gain
valuable design and sewing tips. Win-win.