Home and Careers Teacher Laurie Conti had never tried sewing pajama pants before, but interested in trying something new, she set out to learn how to make them. During a couple of hours, she made her own pair and created a step-by-step worksheet for her students to follow. After a lesson on selecting the best fabric, students set out to find their perfect match. Pink sheep, rustic bears, camouflage khaki, plaids, stripes, dogs, cats, monkeys, sports equipment and license plates were among the fabrics students selected. Students made patterns by tracing a pair of their own sweat pants or pajama pants onto newspaper. The project took five weeks, which included learning the parts of the machine, how to thread it and make a bobbin and practice sewing on paper before starting the actual project. "It is exciting to see the students' faces when they create something that they can wear," said Conti. "Many of the students, including boys, have expressed an interest in making their own pants and boxers." As a result, a sewing club was formed to meet after school twice a month. In addition to pajama pants, other project ideas include stuffed animals, pillows, dog and/or cat beds, fleece headbands and matching scarves. December 3, 2006 |
