Missouri State University

Department Of Fashion and Interior Design

College of Business Administration
FMD 103-1

Spring 2012

Course Title: Introduction to Fashion Construction

Ms. Joyce Wilson

E-mail: jwilson@MissouriState.edu
PCOB 321
Contact Phone: 836-5136
FID Phone: 836-5136
Office Hours
To be determined by Faculty
Class
Lecture: Tuesday Thursday, 8:00-10:05am, PCOB 321
Lab: Combined with lecture
Required Materials
Simplicitys Simply the Best Sewing Book
Revised Edition New York, NY: Harper &Row
Edited by Anne Marie Soto and the Staff of the Simplicity Pattern Company
Required Supplies:
** No pre-packaged supply kits or pre-packaged interfacing allowed.

8 shear
Assorted sharps hand sewing needles
Colored head straight pins
Seam ripper
Thimble (optional)
Tape measure
Pin Cushion
Seam gauge
2 polyester all-purpose 9 inch zippers
Construction paper to mount sewing samples
2 inch three-ring notebook
Plastic page holders
2 yards IRON ON featherweight/midweight interfacing
1 package piping
Bobbins #15 (purchase from instructor- 45 cents each)

Additional Supplies---Fashion Design Majors:

18 inch flexible plastic (clear) ruler quilters ruler
1 invisible 9 inch zipper
19 inch tool box
Additional Supplies---Vocational FACS Majors:
May prefer to mount samples on plastic grids
invisible 9 inch zipper
19 inch tool box

Label all supplies with your name! The instructors and MSU are not responsible for missing items.
Keep Receipts for Returns!

Page 1 of 7

Course Description
Overview of the global fashion industry. Career options in fashion merchandising, product development
and design are highlighted. 2(2-0) F
Course Overview
To prepare Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising students with a foundation for apparel
construction and fitting techniques using commercial pattern. This courses also prepares Family
Consumer Sciences students with skills needed to be an instruction in the middle and high school
classroom.
Course Objective
After successful completion of this course a student should be able to do the following:
1. Identify essential sewing tools, supplies and notions; demonstration of proper use and care of
equipment with an emphasis on safety for both the classroom and in the home.
2. Maintain and properly use pressing equipment, sewing machines and sergers; emphasis on the
identification of proper adaptations of equipment for special needs.
3. Demonstrate pattern sizing, selection and fitting essentials.
4. Identify fibers and their performance.
5. Identify and demonstrate the basic principles and techniques of clothing construction.
6. Apply organizational and managerial principles to the sewing workspace; the lab experience will
emphasize routine requirements that will meet the needs of all students.
7. Develop clothing projects that exemplify wise consumer decisions of a high quality.
8. Adapt knowledge to career and leisure choices (vocational teaching, design, merchandising,
crafts, homemaking, extension in the rural and urban areas, and/or volunteer work).
Competencies for Vocational Family and Consumer Sciences Education Majors
Specialty Area: 6.1: Selection, care, repair, redesign, and reuse of textile products to meet individual and
family needs, 6.2: Strategies for assessing apparel decisions in terms of values, function appearance,
and societal norms, 6.3: Fibers, fabrics, design concepts, and construction of textile products, 6.4:
Cultural, aesthetic, and historical aspects of textiles, apparel, and fashion, and 6.5: Strategies for
evaluating textile products and policy for individuals in various life situations.
Professional Education MoStep Performance Indicators: 1.1.2.1.1 The pre-service teacher knows the
discipline application to the certification area.
Conceptual Framework General Learning Outcomes: 2: Subject Matter, 4: Reflective Skills, 5:
Technology, 9: Diversity.
Attendance Policy
Because this is a class that requires extensive student-faculty and student peer interaction, attendance
is mandatory. . Excessive absences (over two class periods) will result in the student being advised to
drop the class. Attendance issues are not to be handled by phone or e-mail. Please arrive hour
before scheduled class to discuss attendance issues.
Conflicts due to work schedules are not considered acceptable absences.
Make-Up Or Late Assignments
Over the course of the semester, students will construct four projects in class. Projects include
shorts, a skirt, and a shirt.

2 boxer

All construction must be accomplished during assigned class time unless permission has been
given by the instructor. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade for the project.
Late assignments will not be accepted.
Student Performance Evaluation Grading
Reading Assignments:
Students are required to complete the required reading(s) prior to class. Students will be called on at
random to discuss the assigned readings. Both textbook and class handouts will be assigned, as noted
on the FMD Course Schedule.

Page 2 of 7

Exams:
The midterm will consist of the completion of a pair of boxer shorts without the assistance of the
instructor or other class members. Failure to comply will result in 0 points on the midterm. Sewing details
will be thoroughly defined and explained in class.(100 points). A written midterm will also be given (100
points). See the course schedule for both dates.
The Final Exam will be written, practical, or a combination. See the Course Schedule for the time and
date of the Final Exam. (100 points)
Seam and Construction Sample Notebook:
Samples of hand and machine stitches, as well as construction elements will be compiled in a 3-ring
notebook. (See FMD 103 Supply List for mounting details). Techniques will first be demonstrated by the
Instructor then executed by the student. Samples will be handed in twice during the semester. The FMD
103 Tentative Schedule lists the due dates for samples to be handed in for grading. (Total of 200 points
for completed Notebook).
Students are requested to pick up and take home their work as soon as it is returned by the faculty
member. The FID department is not responsible for projects that may be damaged while waiting for their
owners to take them home. All projects must be labeled with students name, course number, instructors
name, and date of submission. Any project found without this will be thrown away. Any project left after
the end of the following semester will be thrown away.
COURSE GRADING SYSTEM
(Approximate grade distribution)

Seam & Construction Sample Notebook

Boxers
Midterm Exam
Skirt
Shirt
Final Exam
Total Points:

Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F

200
100
100
200
200
100
900

Percentages
95-100%
90-94%
87-89%
84-86%
80-83%
77-79%
74-76%
70-73%
60-69 %
59% and below

LAB AVAILABILITY
Practice! Practice! Practice! Lab can be used anytime (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) if a class is not in session.
(Class schedule for the lab is posted on the door of lab).
.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
Because of the high usage of the Apparel Design Studio for laboratory classes, all sewing
machines/sergers and the surrounding space must be kept in an orderly manner. All students are
responsible for the following classroom duties:
1. All trash must be picked up from the area surrounding the sewing machines and sergers. This
includes thread clippings, fabric trimmings, and pins/needles.
2. Empty trash in the designated waste receptacles in the studio/lab.
3. Place the machine foot control on the table and push chairs under the tables. machines

Page 3 of 7

4. Your sewing area must be kept organized. Nothing may be left on the machine tables or floor
that will be in the way of others. All backpacks and other extraneous items must be placed under
the large cutting tables. Keep drawers pushed into their slots and worktables free from clutte
5. The Instructor is not responsible for accidents. Be careful with supplies, machines, and
supporting equipment.

Course Schedule
Attached is the semester schedule. The schedule is subject to change at instructors discretion.
Dropping Class
It is your responsibility to understand the Universitys procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class
but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially
obligated to pay for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university, contact the
Office of the Registrar at 836-5520.

See Academic Calendars (www.missouristate.edu/registrar/acad_cal.html) for deadlines.

Other Information
Tobacco, cell phones, and food are not permitted while in the classroom or laboratory.
Disabilities
To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Director of the Disability Resource Center, Plaster
Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY), www.missouristate.edu/disability. Students are
required to provide documentation of disability to the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations.
The Disability Resource Center refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic,
which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing,
contact the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787, http://psychology.missouristate.edu/ldc.

It is the responsibility of the student to initiate this process and bring it to the instructors
attention at the beginning of the semester.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure
available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address
inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Equity and Diversity, Park Central Office Building,
117 Park Central Square, Suite 111, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature)
should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructors
Department Head. Please visit the OED website at www.missouristate.edu/equity/.

Emergency Response Syllabi Statement

Students who require assistance during an emergency evacuation must discuss their needs with their professors and
the Disability Resource Center. If you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.
For additional information students should contact the Disability Resource Center, 836-4192 (PSU 405), or Larry
Combs, Interim Assistant Director of Public Safety and Transportation at 836-6576.
For further information on Missouri State Universitys Emergency Response Plan, please refer to the following web
site: http://www.missouristate.edu/safetran/erp.htm

Academic Integrity
Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the
responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the
universitys student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available
at www.missouristate.edu/policy/academicintegritystudents.htm and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer
Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this
policy.

Policy on Use of Cell Phones in Classes

As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the
community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the
class. Therefore, the Office of the Provost prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar
communication devices during scheduled classes. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent (vibrate)
mode and ordinarily should not be taken out during class. Given the fact that these same communication devices are

Page 4 of 7

an integral part of the Universitys emergency notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when
numerous devices activate simultaneously. When this occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a
university emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices should be immediately returned to silent mode and
put away. Other exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the instructor.

FMD 103 Class Schedule: Dates to be filled in by students per instructors directions.
SESSION

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

1. _______

INTRO. TO APPAREL CONSTRUCTION

Syllabus, Policies, Procedures, & Info. Sheet
Tools of the Trade Overview
(Supplies due Session 3)

pp. 9-12
pp. 30-32
(14-29)

THE SEWING MACHINE

The Anatomy of a Sewing Machine
Machine Stitching

pp. 32-33
pp. 34-35
pp. 69-72
(30-33;92-93)

HAND SEWING
Threading a needle & tying a knot
Hand Stitches: Basting (even & uneven), running,
backstitch, pickstitch, blanket stitch, buttonhole stitch, Lazy Daisy, French knot, , cross
stitch (tentative)
CLOSURES
Button, hook & eye, thread chain (tentative)
2. _______

FABRICS: TYPES, QUALITIES, & CARE

Fabric Selection
Pre-shrinking & Straightening
PATTERNS
Measurements
Pattern Envelope & Pattern Symbols
(Assign fabric & notions due Session 3 & Midterm)
SERGER
BEGIN PROJECT #1: SAMPLE NOTEBOOK
(SEAMS & SEAM FINISHES-- SAMPLES # 1-11
Notebook due Session 5100 points

3. _______

READINGS

pp. 104-105
(88-90)

pp. 127-132
(258-261)

pp. 25-30
(40-52)
pp. 58-60
(76-77)
pp. 37-46
pp. 13-25
(58-61)
pp. 83-99
(34-35,93-94)
pp. 77-81
(94-96)

BRING BOXER FABRIC, NOTIONS, & SEWING

EQUIPMENT TO CLASS
PROJECT #2: CONSTRUCTION OF BOXERS
Pattern Layout & Pinning
Cutting & Marking
Pressing Guidelines

pp. 60-66
(77-81)
pp. 66-69
(82-83)
pp. 99-101

Page 5 of 7

Elastic & Casings

Stitch-in-the-Ditch

4. _______

pp. 121-126
(172)
p. 74
(118)

BRING BOXER FABRIC, NOTIONS, & SEWING

EQUIPMENT FOR MIDTERM
PROJECT #3: MIDTERM (BOXERS ON YOUR
OWN) Due AT END OF CLASS---100 POINTS

5. _______

WORK ON SEAMS & HANDSTITCHES

NOTEBOOK DUE AT END OF CLASS100 PTS
MIDTERM EXAM----100 PTS

6. _______

SERGER LAB

7. _______

BEGIN PROJECT #4: SAMPLE NOTEBOOK

(CONSTRUCTION SAMPLES #1-10)
Notebooks due Session 11--100 points
Staystitching
Darts
Interfacing
Trim, Grade, & Clip
Understitching
Inside to Outside Corner
Stitch-in-the-Ditch
Edgestitching
Ease
Gather
Zippers
Centered
Lapped
Invisible
Waistline Treatments

8 ._______

pp. 192-195

BRING SKIRT FABRIC & NOTIONS

BEGIN PROJECT #5: SKIRT
Pattern Fitting
Review pattern guide, symbols, layout, & marking

9. _______

p. 74
pp. 142-143
pp. 101-102, 158160
p. 82
pp. 75,144
p. 78
p. 74
pp. 73, 120-121
pp. 72-73
pp. 147-150
pp. 196-199

pp. 46-47
pp. 18-24, 60-69

SKIRT LAB

Page 6 of 7

10. ______

SKIRT DUE AT END OF CLASS---200 PTS

SKIRT LAB
Pleats
Hems

pp. 162-165
pp. 150-158

WORK ON NOTEBOOKS
11. ______

CONSTRUCTION NOTEBOOKS DUE AT END

OF CLASS---100 PTS
WORK ON NOTEBOOK

12. ______

13. ______

BRING SHIRT FABRIC & NOTIONS

BEGIN PROJECT #6: SHIRT
Shirt due Session 15200 points
Facings
Pockets (Inside & outside Corners)
Collars
Sleeves
Cuffs
Buttonholes

pp. 143-146
pp. 165-170
pp. 133-136
pp. 175-179
pp. 136-141
pp. 127-130

SHIRT LAB
Review Seam Techniques
Review Trim, Grade, & Clip

pp. 77-78
pp. 82

14. ______

SHIRT LAB

15. ______

SHIRT DUE AT END OF CLASS---200 PTS

WORK ON SHIRT, CLEAN LAB, REVIEW FOR
FINAL

NO EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR FINAL.

FINAL EXAM
All projects must be picked up on the day of the Final.
DAY:_______
Remaining projects will be disposed of in an appropriate manner. TIME:______

Page 7 of 7