Sewing with Math It takes practice to make clothes that fit. It also takes math. Here’s how I use math to turn an idea into a pattern, then into a shirt.
I love to make clothes. As a kid, I made clothes for my stuffed animals. I used scraps of fabric held together with string or ribbon. Then I learned how to sew. I made clothes for myself! Now I’m a tailor. I sew clothes for other people. It takes skill to sew well. It also takes math! That’s because making clothes is a lot like solving puzzles. How? Every piece of clothing is made of different shapes. I turn the shapes into patterns, then into clothes that someone can wear. I use tools like a needle and thread, scissors, and a sewing machine. But the most important tool I use is measuring tape! I measure carefully to make sure the clothes will fit.
collar
sleeve
front
back
2
1
Measure: I measure carefully to find out how long and wide to make the shirt. Then I measure the fabric so I have just enough.
Make a Pattern: This t-shirt is made of 4 pattern pieces. Front, back, collar, and sleeve (I’ll cut 2). I draw them on big paper. Then I cut them out.
WORDS TO KNOW
3
4
Pin, Cut, and Sew: I pin the pattern pieces to the fabric and cut it out. Then
Try It On! When I finish sewing, I try on the shirt. It fits perfectly!
fabric: cloth or material
pattern: a model or plan for making something
sequence: the order in which things happen
sew: to stitch together
I sew! It’s important to sew the pieces together in the correct sequence.
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