Sewing Basics MQF 1

Entry Requirements

No specific entry requirements are needed for this level

Duration

30-week course with 3 contact hours per week.

Learning Outcomes

Expected learning outcomes for this course inlcude:

Competences
• Identify the tools required for basic sewing such as scissors, pinking shears, pins and needles,
measuring tape, sewing machine, etc;
• Use such tools to accomplish various tasks (e.g. use pinking shears to avoid woven material
from fraying);
• Make basic stitches by hand;
• Make use of information about sewing machines such as the tension, basic stitches, loading a
bobbin, etc;
• Thread a sewing machine and prepare for use;
• Use own sewing machine and maintain it;
• Take exact measurements of an object to be covered;
• Take the necessary bodice measurements to be compared with the measurements of ready
made patterns;
• Develop a simple pattern on tracing paper;
• Transfer pattern onto textile and cut properly;
• Cut fabric along its grain or in bias;
• Sew in a straight line;
• Align and stitch fasteners such as buttons and zippers;
• Flatten seams using the iron set on the appropriate temperature;
• Make a hand-stitched hem and/or using the sewing machine;
• Neaten seam edges using appropriate method.
 
Knowledge
 • Tools used for hand-sewing (e.g. sewing needles, pin-head needles, scissors).
• Other basic tools which should be found in the needlework box (e.g. tailor’s chalk, measuring
tape).
• Basic features found in every sewing machine irrespective of the brand (e.g. stitch length,
straight & zig-zag stitch, bobbin winder).
• Different temperatures indicated on the iron and their use in relation to the type and weight of
different fabrics. 
• Materials used in projects: tacking cotton, mercerized cotton and polyester thread; fabrics
made from natural and synthetic fibres.
• Matching of fabric and threads to tools and equipment.
• Different stitches and fasteners to secure pieces of fabric to sew simple articles.
• Matching the fabric and/or thread to the project.
• Threads used at different stages of producing a stitched article (e.g. use of cotton thread for
temporary tacking while polyester thread is used for stitching).
• The alignment of the pattern to the fabric’s grain.
• The manner to copy simple ready-made, commercial patterns patterns.
• Methods of neatening seams.
 
 Skills
• Thread a sewing machine and adjust the tension;
• Take measurements to match size of ready-made patterns;
• Use the pin-head needles to hold layers in place during the drafting a simple pattern (e.g.
square cushion and pocket), cutting and stitching processes;
• Set the iron at different temperatures as indicated on its dial to match the type of fabric to be
ironed.

Delivery Method

Face-to-face lessons

Certification/Award

An award certificate accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority will be presented to learners who attend a minimum of 80% of the course and achieve an overall mark of 45% or higher in their tasks