Textile Science & Clothing Construction
A high-school year in the science and craft of cloth: where every fiber comes from and what its molecules do, how yarns are spun and fabrics woven, knitted and finished, how the sewing machine forms a stitch, and how a pattern is fitted and a real garment built, with the lab tests, yardage math and construction logs of a working textile lab and tailor's shop.
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What to cover
49 of 50 lessons are MUST COVER. They are tested on the unit tests and exams, or are skills the SAT/ACT relies on. OPTIONAL lessons are enrichment. Do them if time allows. The course is complete when the MUST COVER lessons are done.
Unit 1: Fibers from Plants
- MUST COVER 1.1 King Cotton: The Boll, the Gin and the Honest History · exam
- MUST COVER 1.2 Cellulose Under the Lens · exam
- MUST COVER 1.3 John Mercer's Caustic Bath · exam
- MUST COVER 1.4 Flax and Fine Linen · exam
- MUST COVER 1.5 Hemp, Jute, Ramie and the Burn-and-Feel Lab · exam
Unit 2: Fibers from Animals
- MUST COVER 2.1 Keratin and Gideon's Fleece · exam
- MUST COVER 2.2 From Shearing Shed to Micron Count · exam
- MUST COVER 2.3 Felting and Shrinkage: Wool's Scales at Work · exam
- MUST COVER 2.4 Mohair, Cashmere, Alpaca and Camel · exam
- MUST COVER 2.5 Silk: Fibroin, the Silkworm and the Silk Road · exam
Unit 3: Manufactured Fibers
- MUST COVER 3.1 Chardonnet's Silk and the Viscose Process · exam
- MUST COVER 3.2 Carothers and Nylon 6,6 · exam
- MUST COVER 3.3 Polyester, Acrylic and the Spinneret · exam
- MUST COVER 3.4 Shivers's Spandex and the Science of Stretch · exam
- MUST COVER 3.5 Microfibers, Blends and the Fair Verdict · exam
Unit 4: Yarns
- MUST COVER 4.1 The Spindle and the Wheel · exam
- MUST COVER 4.2 Hargreaves, Arkwright and Crompton · exam
- MUST COVER 4.3 Slater, Lowell and the Mill · exam
- MUST COVER 4.4 Yarn Count: Denier, Tex and Cotton Count · exam
- MUST COVER 4.5 Ply, Novelty Yarns and Sewing Thread · exam
Unit 5: Fabric Construction
- MUST COVER 5.1 The Loom: Warp, Weft and Plain Weave · exam
- MUST COVER 5.2 Twill, Satin and Fabric Analysis · exam
- MUST COVER 5.3 Jacquard's Cards and the Truth About Thread Count · exam
- MUST COVER 5.4 William Lee's Frame and the Knit Loop · exam
- MUST COVER 5.5 Felt, Nonwovens and Lace · exam
Unit 6: Finishes, Color and Care
- MUST COVER 6.1 Madder, Indigo and Lydia's Purple · exam
- MUST COVER 6.2 Perkin's Mauve and the Dye Chemist's Toolbox · exam
- MUST COVER 6.3 Printing Cloth: Blocks, Rollers and Screens · exam
- MUST COVER 6.4 Finishes: Sanforizing, Permanent Press and Fire Safety · exam
- MUST COVER 6.5 Care Labels and the Chemistry of Stains · exam
Unit 7: Tools, the Machine and the Serger
- MUST COVER 7.1 Hunt, Howe and the Eye-Pointed Needle · exam
- MUST COVER 7.2 Singer, the Combination and the Lockstitch · exam
- MUST COVER 7.3 Seams and Seam Strength · exam
- MUST COVER 7.4 Merrow's Overlock and the Serger · exam
- MUST COVER 7.5 Pressing: Heat, Moisture and Pressure · exam
Unit 8: Patterns and Fit
- MUST COVER 8.1 Butterick's Graded Pattern · exam
- MUST COVER 8.2 Measuring and Ease · exam
- MUST COVER 8.3 Grain, Symbols and Layout · exam
- MUST COVER 8.4 The Muslin and the Fitting · exam
- MUST COVER 8.5 Drafting and Grading: Hannah's Coat Every Year · exam
Unit 9: Garment Construction
- MUST COVER 9.1 Darts: Making Flat Cloth Round · exam
- MUST COVER 9.2 Casings, Elastic and Pajama Pants · exam
- MUST COVER 9.3 Judson, Sundback and the Zipper · exam
- MUST COVER 9.4 Facings, Collars and Sleeves · exam
- MUST COVER 9.5 Buttonholes, Buttons and Hems · exam
Unit 10: Tailoring, Alteration and the Capstone Garment
- MUST COVER 10.1 The Tailor's Craft: Canvas and Pad Stitching · exam
- MUST COVER 10.2 Altering Store-Bought Clothes · exam
- MUST COVER 10.3 Mending: Dorcas and the Coats She Made · exam
- MUST COVER 10.4 Care, Cost per Wear and Make or Buy · exam
- OPTIONAL 10.5 The Capstone Garment
36-week pacing calendar
From the course’s own 33-week pacing guide, with catch-up and review weeks added to fill a 36-week (180-day) year.
| Week | Plan | Done | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | Day 1: Lesson 1.1 King Cotton: The Boll, the Gin and the Honest History: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 1.1: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 1.1: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 1.2 Cellulose Under the Lens: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 1.2: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 2 | Day 1: Lesson 1.2: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 1.3 John Mercer's Caustic Bath: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 1.3: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 1.3: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 1.4 Flax and Fine Linen: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 3 | Day 1: Lesson 1.4: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 1.4: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 1.5 Hemp, Jute, Ramie and the Burn-and-Feel Lab: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 1.5: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 1.5: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 4 | Day 1: Unit 1 test Day 2: Lesson 2.1 Keratin and Gideon's Fleece: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 2.1: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 2.1: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 2.2 From Shearing Shed to Micron Count: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 5 | Day 1: Lesson 2.2: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 2.2: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 2.3 Felting and Shrinkage: Wool's Scales at Work: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 2.3: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 2.3: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 6 | Day 1: Lesson 2.4 Mohair, Cashmere, Alpaca and Camel: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 2.4: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 2.4: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 2.5 Silk: Fibroin, the Silkworm and the Silk Road: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 2.5: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 7 | Day 1: Lesson 2.5: practice set and corrections Day 2: Unit 2 test Day 3: Lesson 3.1 Chardonnet's Silk and the Viscose Process: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 3.1: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 3.1: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 8 | Day 1: Lesson 3.2 Carothers and Nylon 6,6: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 3.2: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 3.2: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 3.3 Polyester, Acrylic and the Spinneret: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 3.3: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 9 | Day 1: Lesson 3.3: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 3.4 Shivers's Spandex and the Science of Stretch: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 3.4: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 3.4: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 3.5 Microfibers, Blends and the Fair Verdict: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 10 | Day 1: Lesson 3.5: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 3.5: practice set and corrections Day 3: Unit 3 test Day 4: Lesson 4.1 The Spindle and the Wheel: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 4.1: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 11 | Day 1: Lesson 4.1: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 4.2 Hargreaves, Arkwright and Crompton: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 4.2: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 4.2: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 4.3 Slater, Lowell and the Mill: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 12 | Day 1: Lesson 4.3: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 4.3: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 4.4 Yarn Count: Denier, Tex and Cotton Count: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 4.4: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 4.4: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 13 | Day 1: Lesson 4.5 Ply, Novelty Yarns and Sewing Thread: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 4.5: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 4.5: practice set and corrections Day 4: Unit 4 test Day 5: Lesson 5.1 The Loom: Warp, Weft and Plain Weave: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 14 | Day 1: Lesson 5.1: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 5.1: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 5.2 Twill, Satin and Fabric Analysis: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 5.2: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 5.2: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 15 | Day 1: Lesson 5.3 Jacquard's Cards and the Truth About Thread Count: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 5.3: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 5.3: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 5.4 William Lee's Frame and the Knit Loop: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 5.4: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 16 | Day 1: Lesson 5.4: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 5.5 Felt, Nonwovens and Lace: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 5.5: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 5.5: practice set and corrections Day 5: Unit 5 test | ||
| Wk 17 | Catch-up and review week (no new lessons) | ||
| Wk 18 | Day 1: Review day for the midterm Day 2: Midterm exam Day 3: Lesson 6.1 Madder, Indigo and Lydia's Purple: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 6.1: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 6.1: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 19 | Day 1: Lesson 6.2 Perkin's Mauve and the Dye Chemist's Toolbox: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 6.2: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 6.2: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 6.3 Printing Cloth: Blocks, Rollers and Screens: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 6.3: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 20 | Day 1: Lesson 6.3: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 6.4 Finishes: Sanforizing, Permanent Press and Fire Safety: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 6.4: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 6.4: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 6.5 Care Labels and the Chemistry of Stains: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 21 | Day 1: Lesson 6.5: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 6.5: practice set and corrections Day 3: Unit 6 test Day 4: Lesson 7.1 Hunt, Howe and the Eye-Pointed Needle: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 7.1: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 22 | Day 1: Lesson 7.1: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 7.2 Singer, the Combination and the Lockstitch: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 7.2: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 7.2: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 7.3 Seams and Seam Strength: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 23 | Day 1: Lesson 7.3: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 7.3: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 7.4 Merrow's Overlock and the Serger: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 7.4: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 7.4: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 24 | Day 1: Lesson 7.5 Pressing: Heat, Moisture and Pressure: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 7.5: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 7.5: practice set and corrections Day 4: Unit 7 test Day 5: Lesson 8.1 Butterick's Graded Pattern: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 25 | Day 1: Lesson 8.1: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 8.1: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 8.2 Measuring and Ease: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 8.2: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 8.2: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 26 | Day 1: Lesson 8.3 Grain, Symbols and Layout: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 8.3: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 8.3: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 8.4 The Muslin and the Fitting: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 8.4: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 27 | Day 1: Lesson 8.4: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 8.5 Drafting and Grading: Hannah's Coat Every Year: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 8.5: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 8.5: practice set and corrections Day 5: Unit 8 test | ||
| Wk 28 | Day 1: Lesson 9.1 Darts: Making Flat Cloth Round: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 9.1: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 9.1: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 9.2 Casings, Elastic and Pajama Pants: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 9.2: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 29 | Day 1: Lesson 9.2: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 9.3 Judson, Sundback and the Zipper: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 9.3: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 9.3: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 9.4 Facings, Collars and Sleeves: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 30 | Day 1: Lesson 9.4: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 9.4: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 9.5 Buttonholes, Buttons and Hems: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 9.5: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 9.5: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 31 | Day 1: Unit 9 test Day 2: Lesson 10.1 The Tailor's Craft: Canvas and Pad Stitching: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 10.1: studio lab and notebook Day 4: Lesson 10.1: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 10.2 Altering Store-Bought Clothes: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 32 | Day 1: Lesson 10.2: studio lab and notebook Day 2: Lesson 10.2: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 10.3 Mending: Dorcas and the Coats She Made: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 10.3: studio lab and notebook Day 5: Lesson 10.3: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 33 | Day 1: Lesson 10.4 Care, Cost per Wear and Make or Buy: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 10.4: studio lab and notebook Day 3: Lesson 10.4: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 10.5 The Capstone Garment: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 10.5: studio lab and notebook | ||
| Wk 34 | Day 1: Lesson 10.5: practice set and corrections Day 2: Unit 10 test Day 3: Review day for the final Day 4: Final exam | ||
| Wk 35 | Catch-up week: finish any MUST COVER lesson not yet done | ||
| Wk 36 | Year-end review, portfolio and records |
Grading: Practice sets (completed and corrected) 15%, Studio labs (safety, technique, measurement, honest records) 25%, Lab notebook (data tables, swatches, math, pattern cards, improvement notes) 10%, Unit tests 30%, Midterm exam (Units 1–5) 10%, Final exam (Units 1–10) 10%. Scale: A 90–100, B 80–89, C 70–79, D 60–69. Below 60: rework the unit's labs and retake the test after review.