My students need fabric scissors, straight fabric pins, thread and bobbins. We have new sewing machines, but not the basic sewing supplies to make them work.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Have you ever tried to cut a steak with a butter knife? This is the challenge my students face everyday when they need to cut their fabrics out or snip their threads with dull paper scissors instead of sharp fabric scissors.
My students are studying Fashion Design in a new program at an inner city high school.
Poverty, drugs, crime and violence run rampant in the community surrounding our school. Our school is like a safe haven for the students to improve themselves and expand their horizons beyond the neighborhoods reach, and into the universe. My students want to be in school and are seldom absent. They want to learn and do more, and it is my job to challenge them and challenge myself as I mentor them into the design field of study. The hands on design work that we do, coming up with a concept, drawing it on paper and then making the clothing out of fabric shows my students that you can really accomplish anything you put your mind to. They take pride in their work and I take pride in them.
My Project
What I have requested are really the basics of what we need to make our sewing machines as well as our Fashion Design Program work. Bobbins, pins, thread, sharp scissors to cut fabric, and plain cotton muslin fabric to drape sample patterns, really just the fashion design necessities. Right now, when one of my students needs to cut out their pattern pieces to sew a garment, they cringe in advance. They know they will struggle with dull dinky paper scissors that will damage their fabric and pattern pieces. Having the right tools to do the job makes the job easier, and allows you to focus on a bigger goal, and expand your mind to the next issue.
My students are talented, but at times easily discouraged.
Missing the basics that we need makes small tasks into big challenges, and builds on student frustration. The Fabric scissors, Bobbins and thread that I have requested will be used immediately for the students to sew their garments for college portfolios, our school fashion show, and for design competitions, many of which offer scholarships for the winners.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Abaz and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
