Lesson Plan

Course Title: Fashion Design

Session Title: Fibers and Fabrics
Lesson Duration: Approximately two 90-minute class periods
Day One – Slide presentation and Guided Practice
Day Two – Independent Practice
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]

Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to identify the difference between a
fiber and a fabric. The student will be able to identify fabrics and the fibers they are made from
using the characteristics of fabric hand and visual appearance.

Specific Objectives:
1. Explain the difference between a fiber and a fabric.
2. Identify natural fibers.
3. Identify synthetic fibers.
4. Identify cellulose fibers
5. Identify woven fabrics.
6. Identify knit fabrics.
7. Identify swatches by fiber and fabric.

Preparation

TEKS Correlations:
130.93(C)
(1) The student applies academic knowledge and skills in animation projects. The student is
expected to:
(A) apply English language arts knowledge and skills by demonstrating use of content,
technical concepts, and vocabulary; using correct grammar, punctuation, and
terminology to write and edit documents; and composing and editing copy for a
variety of written documents such as patterns, brochures, advertisements, and press
releases.
(2) The student understands professional communications strategies. The student is expected
to:
(B) organize oral and written information;
(C) interpret and communicate information, data, and observations; and
(E) apply active listening skills.
(3) The student understands and examines problem-solving methods. The student is
expected to employ critical-thinking and interpersonal skills independently and in teams to
solve problems.
(5) The student applies safety regulations. The student is expected to:
(A) implement personal and workplace safety rules and regulations; and
(B) employ emergency procedures.
(9) The student applies technical skills for efficiency. The student is expected to employ

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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 planning and time-management skills to complete work tasks.
(10) The student develops an understanding of fashion and the textile and apparel industries.
The student is expected to:
(J) apply knowledge of fibers, fabrics, and design when evaluating and designing textile
products by:
(i) analyzing characteristics and properties of natural and manufactured fibers;
(ii) describing methods of textile production; and
(iii) assessing the effects of various environmental conditions on textiles.

Instructor/Trainer

References:

Instructional Aids:
1. Slide presentation – Fibers & Fabrics
2. Textile Swatch Book
3. Rubric

Equipment Needed:
1. Computer and projection system to display slide presentation.
Learner
Materials Needed:
1. Textile Swatch Book (one per student)
2. Various fabric swatches (provided by instructor)
3. Linen counter or magnifying glass
4. Linen pick (optional) *can be used for in-depth swatch analysis
5. Fabric swatches
6. Pinking shears

Introduction

MI Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):

ASK: If you were given a ring made of silver colored metal, how would you
determine its value?
SAY: A ring made of silver colored metal could have a variety of values as there are
several silver colored metals at a variety price points. A silver colored ring could be
made of nickel, stainless steel, sterling silver, fine silver, white gold, or platinum.
Looking at the metals with the untrained eye would make it very hard to identify what
metal your ring was made of, therefore making it hard to determine its value. A ring
made of nickel would have a very low value while a ring made of white gold or
platinum would have a significantly greater value. Fabrics are very similar in that
several fabrics can look almost identical but their retail value can be very different
depending on the fiber used to create them.

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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 Outline

MI Outline (LSI Quadrant II): Instructor Notes:

1. Explain the difference between a fiber Note: It may be helpful to students

and a fabric. to see examples of yarns before
 Fiber – a natural or synthetic they are woven and knitted into
filament that may be spun into yarn fabrics.
 Fabric – a cloth made by weaving,
knitting, or felting fibers.

2. Identify natural fibers. Note: The variety of natural fibers

A. Fibers derived from plants or animals: being used in the textile and
1. Cotton apparel industries has grown
2. Wool tremendously. See if students
a. Cashmere have heard of less mainstream
b. Mohair fibers being used such as
3. Linen soybean and jute.
4. Silk
Note: Show the students
5. Ramie
examples of fabrics made from
6. Bamboo
natural fibers. Let students feel the
7. Hemp
hand of the fabric. Point out the
small imperfections that can be
present in natural fiber fabrics.
Discuss the short staple length
present in these fibers and how
that effects the quality of the yarn
and the fabric that is made from
the yarn.

3. Identify synthetic fibers. Note: This is a basic overview of

A. Also called man-made or manufactured fibers. There are many more
fibers natural, synthetic, and cellulose
B. Fibers created by extruding fiber fibers that can be covered in-depth
forming materials through spinnerets if time allows.
into the air forming filaments
Note: Show the students
1. Polyester
examples of fabrics made from
2. Nylon
synthetic fibers. Let them feel the
3. Acrylic
hand of the fabric. Point out the
4. Spandex
perfection that can occur in
5. Olefin
synthetic fiber fabrics due to the
6. Metallic
perfect filaments being woven
C. Generally made from petroleum-based
together.
products

4. Identify cellulose fibers. Note: Show the students

A. Natural cellulose fibers – fibers that are examples of fabrics made from
still recognizable as being from the both natural and manufactured
AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics
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 original plant because they are cellulose fibers. Let the students
processed only as much as needed to feel the hand of the fabric. It is
be cleaned for use very difficult to decipher between
1. Cotton many manufactured cellulose fiber
2. Linen fabrics and synthetic fiber fabrics.
3. Silk
B. Manufactured cellulose fibers – plant
fibers that are processed into pulp and
extruded in the same manner as
synthetic fibers
1. Rayon
2. Modal
3. Lyocell

5. Identify woven fabrics.

A. What is a woven fabric?
B. Woven fabrics are composed of two
sets of yarns, the warp (which runs the
length of the fabric) and the weft (which
runs perpendicular to the warp)
C. Cloth is created by weaving the warp
and weft yarns over and under one
another. The pattern in which the warp
and weft are woven over and under one
another determines the weave:
1. Plain
2. Basket
3. Twill
4. Satin
5. Jacquard
D. Woven fabric only stretches on the bias
unless it is made from elastic fibers.
E. Woven fabric frays at the edges unless
hemmed or treated with pinking shears.

6. Identify knit fabrics.

A. What is a knit fabric?
B. A fabric made interlocking loops of one
or more yarns together by hand with
knitting needles or by machine.
1. Tricot
2. Jersey Knit
3. Double Knit
4. Stockinette
5. Balbriggan
6. Rib Knit

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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 7. Identify swatches by fiber and fabric.
A. Fabric Name
B. Fiber Content
1. Is it one fiber?
2. Is it a blend of fibers?
C. Fabric Care
1. Can it be machine washed?
2. Should it be hand washed?
3. Can it be machine dried?
4. Should it line dried?
5. Should it be dry cleaned?
D. Fabric Uses
1. Is it best suited for home décor
or apparel?
2. Is it best suited for tops, bottoms,
dresses, outer wear?
E. Fabric Hand
1. How does the fabric feel to the
touch?
F. Fabric Appearance
1. What does the fabric look like?
2. Use descriptive words
3. Concentrate on the appearance
of the fabric and its weave, not
the print that may be on the
fabric

Application
MI Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):

The instructor will go over the slide presentation with the class. When you get to
slides 16 & 17, give each student a swatch book and an identical swatch of fabric.
As a class, fill out the first page of the swatch book with the information about the
swatch. This will help students understand the information that they must collect
about their swatches. It will also allow them to ask questions.
Note: Explain to students where the fiber and care information is available on the
fabric bolt. This is valuable information that they will need for future projects where
they are choosing their own fabrics.

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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MI Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):

Students will be assigned a specific number of swatches that they must collect by
the instructor, based on available class time. Students will affix the swatches in their
swatch books and fill out the remaining information. Detailed information about how
to fill out the swatch book is available on slides 16 & 17 of the slide presentation.
Note: Fabric swatches can be collected from a local fabric store or provided by the
instructor. If you are providing swatches for students to choose from, make sure that
the fiber and care information from the bolt is available for their use.
Note: A field trip to the local fabric store would provide students with a learning
opportunity about the fabric purchasing that they will be doing for future projects. If
you decide to go to the fabric store as a class make sure you find out the store’s
policy about swatches. Some stores provide free swatches and some require that
swatches be purchased.
Note: In order to ensure that the students are analyzing all fabrics, make sure that
they include at least one fabric from each fiber category (i.e. natural fiber, synthetic
fabric, natural cellulose, manufactured cellulose). Also make sure that they include
at least one knit fabric in their swatch book.

Summary

MI Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):

Review the swatch book instructions during guided practice. Once students have
completed the first page of the swatch book during guided practice, they will be
ready to complete the swatch book during independent practice.

Evaluation

MI Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):

While students are working on their swatch books, they can discuss their work with
the instructor and other students. They may need input from the instructor or other
students about fabric usage and fabric care. As these are new concepts for most
students, encourage them to work together and problem solve.

MI Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):

 The teacher will assess each swatch book based on fabrics selected and
accuracy of information provided using the attached rubric.

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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 Extension

MI Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):

 Students can research fibers and fabrics in books and on the internet.
 Students can research fibers and fabrics by reading labels on garments in local
clothing stores.
 Students will use knowledge about fibers and fabrics on future fashion design
projects.

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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 Fashion Design
Textile Swatch Book

This swatch book belongs to:

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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 Woven Woven
Fabric Swatch Fabric Swatch
Knit Knit

Fabric Name: Fabric Name:

Fiber Content: Fiber Content:

Care: Care:

Uses: Uses:

Description of fabric hand and appearance: Description of fabric hand and appearance:

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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Assembling the Textile Swatch Book
1. Make one copy of the cover page for each
student.
2. Make front and back copies of the swatch
page for each student. Front and back copies
ensure that the book is continuous with no blank
pages. The number of swatch book pages
needed by each student will depend upon how
many swatches they are assigned to collect. For
best results, copy ALL pages on cardstock. The
book will be more durable and the cardstock can
stand up to the weight of the fabric swatches.
3. Fold each page of the textile swatch book,
including the cover page, in half.
4. Stack the pages together with the cover page
on the outside.
5. Staple in the center of the page to bind the
book.

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics Student Name_________________________________________

Max.
Assessment Points Points Earned Comments
Criteria
Exceptional Above Average Average Below Poor No
Average Submission
1. Completeness – 30 (24-30 points) (18-23 points) (9-17 points) (6-10 points) (1-5 points) (0 points)
All relevant
sections complete All elements Most elements More than half Fewer than Few elements No elements
 swatch included. included. of the elements half of the included. included; no
 fiber content are included. elements are submission.
 use and care included.
 description
2. Accuracy of 30 (24-30 points) (18-23 points) (9-17 points) (6-10 points) (1-5 points) (0 points)
Information
 fiber content All information Almost all Most Less than half Very little No sources; no
 use and care is accurate. information is information is of the information is submission.
 description Description is accurate. accurate. information is accurate. There is
very complete. Description is Description is accurate. very little
complete. lacking key Description is description.
points. incomplete.
4. Neatness 20 (18-20 points) (15-17 points) (11-14 points) (6-10 points) (1-5 points) (0 points)
 clean cutting
 clean mounting Book is very Book is neat, Book is Book is Book is sloppy No
 neat writing neat, clean, and mostly clean, somewhat neat, disorderly and and submission.
understandable. and clean, and hard to incomprehensible.
understandable. understandable. understand.
TOTAL:
(Max. 80)

Point Conversion to Letter Grade:

72.0-80.0 A
64.0-71.9 B
56.0-63.9 C
48.0-55.9 D
Below 48 F

AAVTC: Fashion Design: Fibers & Fabrics

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