Fabric Construction Chart

Summary

This lesson will help students distinguish between the different types of fabric construction--woven, knit, and nonwoven.

Materials

• 1 1/2-inch square sample pieces of fabric from each of the three fabric constructions listed on the chart (woven, knit, nonwoven)--enough for the entire class
• Staplers or tape dispensers
• A copy of the fabric construction chart for each student
• A transparency copy of the Fabric Construction Notes (see the attachment)

Background for Teachers

Please be aware of the basic different types of fabric construction. The note outline that is attached includes information on fabric blends, grainline and nap fabrics as well as the woven, knit and nonwoven information that is to be included on the chart. You may want to have students take any extra notes on the back of the chart so that all of the information discussed in this lesson is kept in one place.

Student Prior Knowledge

Students should have been introduced to the different natural and synthetic fibers prior to this lesson so that information can be combined with the information introduced here.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this lesson, students should be more familiar with what a woven fabric looks and feels like as well as a knit and a nonwoven.

Instructional Procedures

• The teacher will hand out a fabric construction chart to each student. Explain to the students how this activity will work: the teacher will be handing out a fabric sample for each of the three spaces on the chart. Students will then need to staple or tape the sample into the corresponding space. Finally students will take notes on the specific fiber in the space provided as the teacher goes over the overhead outline with them.
• The chart begins with three bulleted spaces for notes about fabric construction--have the students copy the information into the corresponding spaces.
• Begin the chart procedure as a class, starting with wovens. Hand out the woven samples, wait a bit for the students to staple them to their papers, and start going over the information on the note outline transparency.
• After you have finished going over the characteristics of the woven fabric, move on to knits repeating the steps.
• Go through the same steps for nonwovens as you have done previously.
• Finally, you come to the four bullets designated for information on blended fibers and fabrics. Go over the corresponding information on the note outline and have students complete the lines on the chart.
• At this point, you may want to have students turn the chart over and complete the remaining notes on the attached outline.
• Have students hand in the completed chart.

Strategies for Diverse Learners

A copy of the note outline could be provided for students with limited note-taking skills so that they are not anxious about getting all the information as the different fabric constructions are discussed.

Extensions

Once you have completed this lesson, you could further the students' experience with fabric construction by doing a weaving activity with paper (see the lesson plan entitled Weaving Activity) or a loom of some sort. Also, if you know how to knit and had the equipment necessary to show students how to do it, knitting would be a great hands-on activity to demonstrate how knitting is different from weaving.

Assessment Plan

Correct the fabric construction chart for completeness and correctness, making sure that the fabric samples are in the correct spots and the notes have been written in the correct boxes.

Bibliography

USOE Curriculum Guide