Fashion Design & Fashion Merchandising Programs
FSHD 1324 READY-TO-WEAR CONSTRUCTION
Course Description
Fundamentals of mass production of apparel, focusing on the operation of industrial sewing and pressing equipment.
Survey of materials selection and construction techniques used at all price levels of mass produced apparel.
Introduction to industry seam allowances. Identification of differences between ready-to-wear and couture
construction.
Prerequisites
None
Course Goals (includes competencies, incorporation of SCANS, etc.)
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (from Workforce Education Course Manual)
1. Select suitable materials for basic apparel designs.
2. Show beginning level fabric, pattern layout, and cutting skills.
3. Demonstrate basic stitching skills on industrial sewing machines and basic pressing skills and apply these
techniques to basic garment construction.
4. Use standard industry seam allowances on all projects.
SCANS (Secretary's Commission Addressing Necessary Skills)
STATEMENT OF FOUNDATION SKILLS AND WORKPLACE CONPETENCIES - SCANS
The U.S. Department of Labor's Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) to enter the
workplace determined that specific competencies must be addressed. HCCS is committed to preparing every student
with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's work environment. The following competencies will be
addressed in this class.
Critical Thinking/Reasoning
After the professor's presentation of suitable fabrics, the student will select an appropriate fabric for the assigned
project.
Organize/Maintain Information
The student will organize a notebook of samples of required seam finishes and use it for reference during the
semester.
Instructor Information
ALEXANDER CHAPMAN
FSHD 1324-0001/29743
Fashion Design Professor
Lifestyle Arts & Design
3601 FANNIN RM # 236
713-718-6191
ALEXANDER.CHAPMAN@HCCS.EDU
Lab Requirements
Of the 96 hours of class meeting time during the semester, 32 hours are for lecture/demonstration and 64 hours are for
lab. Lab hours are for supervised work on class projects.
Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, visual, hearing, etc.) who needs to
arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at their respective college at the
beginning of each semester. The faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability
Support Services Office.
Academic Honesty
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements.
Penalties an/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of
academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion.
Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of "0" of "F" on the particular assignment, failure
in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System. A recommendation for
suspension or expulsion will be referred to the College Dean of Students for disciplinary disposition.
Attendance and Withdrawal Policies
1. Students are expected to attend all classes (see college catalog for attendance policy)
2. Students are responsible for all work missed during an absence.
3. Students may be dropped from courses for absences that exceed 12.5% of the total semester hours, usually
equated to more than 4 absences in a 2-day per week class and more than 2 absences in a 1 day per week class.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses excessively. For example, if you
repeat the same course more than twice, you have to pay extra tuition. Beginning in Fall 2007, the Texas Legislature
passed a law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their
educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which
your professor may “alert” you and distance education (DE) counselors that you might fail a class because of
excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your responsibility to visit with your DE professor or a
DE counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child
care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic performance.
If you plan on withdrawing from your DE class, you MUST contact a DE counselor or your DE professor prior to
withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a
“W” on your transcript. **Final withdrawal deadlines vary each semester and/or depending on class length, please visit
the online registration calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC Registration Office, or any HCC
counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines. Remember to allow a 24-hour response time when
communicating via email and/or telephone with a DE professor and/or counselor. Do not submit a request to
discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline. If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you
will receive the grade that you are making in the class as your final grade.
DE counselors may be reached by calling 713.718.5275, option #4 or decounseling@hccs.edu
Fashion and Interior Design Department Attendance and Participation Policy:
Classes that meet once per week:
0 Absences..............100 Attendance and Participation Grade
1 Absences................95 Attendance and Participation Grade
2 Absences................80 Attendance and Participation Grade
3 Absences................50 Attendance and Participation Grade
Over 3 Absences.........0 Attendance and Participation Grade
Classes that meet twice per week:
0 Absences..............100 Attendance and Participation Grade
2-3 Absences............95 Attendance and Participation Grade
4-5 Absences............80 Attendance and Participation Grade
6 Absences................50 Attendance and Participation Grade
Over 6 Absences.........0 Attendance and Participation Grade
Three tardies (up to 15 minutes late) equal one absence.
More than 15 minutes late will be recorded as an absence.
Course Requirements and Grading Criteria
Course Requirements
Two garment projects, stitching techniques notebook, three store comparison research paper, label design project,
assembly line project, fabric selection project, attendance and participation are required.
Grading
First garment /skirt
20%
Second garment/jacket.
20%
Third garment/dress________________________20%
Techniques Notebook_______________________ 20%
Attendance________________________________20%
Numerical Grades Related to Letter Grades
90-100
______A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
Below 60
F
Make-up policy
Students are responsible for turning in all work assigned. Work turned in late will have10 points deducted for each class period it
is overdue.
Course Content
Introduction to course: Supply List, SCANS Projects & Safety Instructions.
Operating industrial equipment
A. Lockstitch machine
B. Serger
C. Blind hemmer
D. Pressing equipment
Garment construction equipment
A. Fashion theme for garments
B. Suitable fabrics
C. Appropriate interfacing and notions
D. Student choices of materials must be approved by instructor
E. Skirt and blouse must coordinate to create an ensemble that exemplifies fashion theme
First garment - skirt
A. Selection of pattern and fabric in fashion theme
B. Student vote with instructor approval
C. Must have Zipper and separate waistband
D. Fabrics are wool, wool blend, cotton, cotton blend, linen or linen blend ( No rayon)
E. Fabric preparation
F. Cutting and marking
G. Construction demonstrations
H. Supervised construction of skirt
I. First garment submitted for evaluation
Second garment - jacket
A. Selection fabric suitable for pattern in fashion theme
B. No plaids, stripes, or large designs that need to be matched
C. Fabrics are wool, wool blend, cotton, cotton blend, linen or linen blend ( No rayon)
D. Fabric preparation
E. Cutting and marking
F. Construction demonstrations
G. Supervised construction of blouse or jacket
H. Second garment submitted for evaluation
Third garment-dress
A. Student will demonstrate that he/she can sew princess seams
B. Choose possible fabrics for the dress
C. Sew an invisible zipper
D. Apply different finishing techniques to the dress
This course outline may be altered at instructor's discretion.
*SUPPLY LIST
For Ready-To-Wear
Bobbin and bobbin case (available for purchase in class)
1 gallon of distilled water
Shears for cutting fabric, 7” or 8” , bent handle
Scissors for cutting paper
Pins and pincushion
Tape measure-fiberglass (non-stretch) reversible
18” c-thru ruler with 1/8” grids
Tracing wheel (smooth edge) tracing paper
Tailors chalk or white pencil (Prisma color white)
Hand sewing needles, between size 8 or 9 (Quilting) or sharps (fine)
Thimble (to fit middle finger)
Metal seam gauge-6”
Scotch magic tape
Seam ripper, small
Tool Box or plastic container for supplies listed above
Thread matching color of fabric
3-spools of serging thread matching the color of fabric, basic colors will be available
Fabric & matching thread for skirt & jacket
Zipper- 9” (regular-Not invisible)
1/8” basting tape
Skirt hooks
3-ring binder for Techniques Notebook
Fabric; Cotton print, 1 yd solid, 1yd print-for stitching samples
Upholstery, 1 ½ yds 45” fabric & 330” plastic or metal zipper- for garment bag
Course Calendar with Due Dates for Assignments
Week 1: Jan, 14. Introduction to course and safety instructions. Student introduction.
Jan, 16. Discussion of the syllabus, Student must bring a printed copy from the learning web.
Machine demo. In class. Paper excercises. Practice threading machine. Intro, SCANS project.
Week 2: Jan, 21. Martin Luther King Day.
Jan, 23. Field trip, High Fashion Fabrics.
Week 3: Jan, 28. Continue Machine demo.
Jan, 30. Draft pattern for skirt. Bring supplies(labeled). Demo. On pressing fabric, straighten grain. Layout,
Cutting and marking.
Week 4: Feb, 4-6. Continue cutting, marking. Serge all lengthwise seams. Stitch darts front and back. Prepare
center back seam for zipper. Zipper application. Press. Remove basting.
Week 5: Feb, 11-13. Continue working on skirt. Prepare Waistband. Pin and stitch waist band on skirt. Complete
Waistband. Prepare hem. Hem skirt. Sew hook on waistband.
Feb 13. Skirt due at end of class.
Week 6: Feb, 18. President’s Day Holiday.
Feb, 20. Draft jacket pattern. Prepare fashion fabric, layout cutting and marking. cut interfacing for collar
and front facing.
Week 7: Feb, 25-27. Continue working on jacket
Week 8: March, 4-6. Continue working on jacket, jacket due at the end of class on the 6th.
March, 11-13 !SPRING BREAK!
Week 9: March, 18-20. Draft dress pattern.
Week10: March, 25-27. Layout dress patterns, cut and mark.
Week 11: April, 1-3. Continue working on the dress.
Week 12: April, 8-10. Continue working on the dress. Dress due at the end of class on April 10thth.
Week 13: April, 15-17. Techniques Notebook.
Week 14: April, 22-24. Techniques Notebook.
Week 15: April, 29- May, 1.Techniques Notebook.
Week 16: May, 6-8. Final exam.
Other Student Information (clubs, tutoring, web resources, student services, etc.)
FACULTY ADVISORS
Each fashion student is assigned a full-time faculty member as an advisor.
FASHION BOOT CAMP
Fashion Boot Camp is held at the beginning of each fall and spring semester for all fashion students to alert them to
the student opportunities for the upcoming semester.
STUDENT COMPETITIONS
HCC fashion students are highly successful in student competitions at the local, state, national and international levels,
frequently winning best-of-show, cash and scholarship awards.