Fashion Study Guide

Elements and PrinciplesLINE

Draws the eye in a desired direction Vertical – straight up and down Horizontal – Across a design Diagonal – Slanting line Curved – Rounded lines, adds interest

Elements of Design

FORMThe shape, silhouette, or outline of a design

Texture – The feel of the fabric of the garment

COLORThe emphasis created through use of color.

Principles of DesignBALANCE –Equilibrium in a design

Symmetrical – Even or the same on both sides of a design

Asymmetrical – Different on both sides but the two different aspects visually balance each other.

Out of Balance – one part of the design overpowers the rest

Principles of DesignRHYTHMThe pattern of a design that allows the eye to move in the desired directionRepetition - Pattern repeated over and overGradation - Gradual increase or decrease in size, pattern, color, or texture.

Contrast - Two different colors or patterns in two different areas of a garment or design

Principles of DesignEmphasis - The main focal point of a design.

The thing the eye notices firstProportion - The relationship of the size of one

part to the size of another part of a design In-proportion – all parts are of equal size to

other partsOut of proportion – one part is much larger

than the other partsHarmony - All areas of the design are related to

each other and there is a feeling of ease when viewing the design.

Sewing TermsBackstitch – Sewing a few stitches in a backward

direction to ensure that the seam does not come undone

Wrong-side of the fabric - the side of fabric that is worn against the body, seams show on this side

Yardage – amount of fabric needed to complete a sewing project

Sewing Terms Basting – Sewing in long, loose stitches to

temporarily hold something together

Zigzag - a back and forth stitch done on the edges of seams to keep them from raveling

Raw edge – The cut edge of the fabric

Sewing TermsNotions – All the things needed to finish a sewing process such as thread, binding, buttons, seam ripper, etc.

Interfacing – a cloth that is made to stiffen parts of an article of clothing such as a collar or button holes of a shirt

Sewing Terms Right Side – The side of the fabric that is worn to the

outside.

Hem – The finished edges of a garment that are made by folding under the raw edges and sewing down

Casing – A space formed between two parallel lines of stitching through two layers of cloth into which something may be inserted such as a drawstring

Clip – To make small cuts in the curved part of a seam so that it lays flat.

Sewing Terms Dart – A stitched tapering fold in a garment that allows the

garment to fit closer to the curves of the body

Gathering – To pull fabric along a line of stitching so it draws into a pucker

Seam – To join two pieces of fabric together by sewing

Press – An up and down motion with an iron used to flatten garment details during construction. Makes seam lay flat, so they are easier to sew and professional in appearance.

Sewing QuestionsWhat stitch length do you set your machine at when

you are sewing a normal stitch? 2 ½ to 3

Why do you zigzag and how do you do it? So the seam allowance doesn’t ravel as you wear and wash it

Why do you press each part of the garment as you

are sewing? For a clean, finished look, and so the parts lay down and are easier to sew

Sewing QuestionsWhy do you backstitch and how do you do it?

To secure the ends of the seams so they don’t come apart, hold the backstitch button and backstitch a few stitches at the start and end of a seam

Why do you wash your fabric before you sew it? To pre-shrink the fabric so it doesn’t shrink after you sew it together

Sewing Machine

Stitch Length Control

Stitch Width Control

Bobbin Winder

Hand Wheel

Feed Dogs

Presser FootNeedle

Bobbin Case

Sewing Machine PartsStitch length – controls length of stitches – how small or large the stitch is

Stitch width – Controls how wide the zig zag will be

Presser foot – Hold the fabric down as you sew

Needle – Pulls thread through fabric to secure stitches

Sewing Machine PartsBobbin Winder – winds thread onto a bobbin

Hand wheel – allows the sewer to move the needle up and down manually

Feed dogs – pulls the fabric through the machine as sewing occurs

Bobbin Case – hold the bobbin thread

Fabric and FibersWhat is the difference between a weave and a knit? A weave is interlocking loops that create a stretchy fabricA woven is threads that are placed over and under each other creating a tight, structured fabric

What is a non-woven fabric? – fibers that are pressed together – felt or interfacing

Fibers and Fabrics What are three natural plant fibers?

Cotton Bamboo Flax or linen

33. What are three natural animal fibers? Wool Silk Angora Camel

Fibers and FabricsWhat are three manufactured fibers?PolyesterAcrylicNylonAcetate

Fibers and FabricsCotton

Cool, soft, comfortable, and the principle clothing fiber of the world.

Absorbs and releases perspiration quickly, thus allowing the fabric to "breathe".

Cotton can stand high temperatures and takes dyes easily.

Fibers and FabricsBamboo

More sustainable than other fibers – environmentally friendly

Highly water absorbent - makes it a good wicking fabric

BreathableSoftHas antibacterial qualities Insulating properties that make the wearer

cooler in summer and warmer in winter

Fibers and FabricsWool

Fibers from animal coats: Sheep, goats, alpacas, llama...

Returns to its original position after being stretched or creased

will absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp

dirt resistant, flame resistant, and, in many weaves, resists wear and tearing.

Fibers and Fabrics

SilkFibers from the cocoon of the silkworm Silk is the strongest natural fiber Silk absorbs moisture, which makes it cool in

the summer and warm in the winter Silk retains its shape, drapes well, caresses

the figure, and shimmers with a luster all its own

Fibers and FabricsNYLONAn extremely versatile fabric that serves as knit wear, hosiery, outdoor clothing and products, and carpeting

Water resistantNot very breathable

Fibers and FabricsPOLYESTERa strong fiber that is resistant to crease and thus keeps it shape

Blends of polyester give cotton a permanent press property and extend the wear of these blended garments.

Fibers and FabricsAcrylica fine, soft, and luxurious fabric with the bulk and hand of wool

Light weight and springy, this fabric is non-allergenic, dries quickly, draws moisture away from the body and is washable

Used most often to make sweaters

Fibers and FabricsAcetate

Drapes wellIs usually a silky type fabric used in special occasion wear

Breathes okay and is somewhat comfortable to wear

Can look cheapMust be dyed before it is made into fibers

Sewing QuestionsWhen you lay out your pattern pieces on the fabric, how many pieces are usually cut from one pattern piece? 2

 What is the purpose of measuring the grain line when you lay your pattern out on the fabric? So your pattern will be straight on the fabric, ensuring you cut it out straight

Fashion Terms Classic Fashion - a traditional style that stays in

fashion for a very long time.

Style - refers to the shape of a particular item of clothing that makes it easy to recognize.

Fad - a fashion that is very popular for only a short time

Trend - The general direction that fashion is moving. Refers to a certain aspect of fashion, like skirt

length

Fashion Terms Avant Guarde - A French expression that in the clothing

industry means being ahead of fashion.

Haute Couture - French for “Fine Tailoring” Made for the individual customer, look and fit take

priority over the cost of materials and the time it takes to make

Designer Label - A cross between couture and mass market, not a huge number of each garment is made

Apparel - applies to any men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing

Garment - any article of clothing such as sweater, dress, suit

Fashion Terms Silhouette - the shape of the clothing style

Fashion Cycle - the periodic disappearance and later reappearance of specific styles or general shapes.

Draped - those that are wrapped or hung on the human body.

Tailored - made by first cutting garment pieces and then sewing them together to fit that shape of a particular body.

Ready to wear - mass produced in factories

Color Monochromatic - refers to the tints, tones and

shades of one color

Complementary – Colors across from each other on the color wheel – Red and Green

Triad – Three colors equally spaced on the color wheel – Red, Yellow, and Blue

Analogous – Colors next to each other on the color wheel – yellow-green, green, blue-green and blue

Color Split-Complementary - An original complimentary

color (red) plus the two colors to either side of the opposing compliment (Yellow-green and blue-green).

What are tints and shades? Tint – a color plus white – light blue Shade – a color plus black – navy blue

What are the three primary colors? Red, Yellow and Blue

Color What is a hue? the name of a color

What is color value? Lightness or Darkness of a color

Explain warm and cool colors Warm colors – Red, Orange, Yellow Cool Colors – Green, Blue, Purple

What is accented neutral? A pop of color (red) used with neutral colors such as

black.

Reasons to wear clothes

ProtectionPsychologicalSelf –esteem

SocialWhat is adornment – Decoration of clothing or self

Body StylesSlender / Rectangle

–Wear tops that give some illusion of curves, accentuate the waist

–Wear pencil skirts and skinny jeans–Wear bold colors and prints–Find pants with big pockets preferably with flaps – helps the bottom look curvier

Body StylesPear Body Shape

–Dress up the top – bold colors/Patterns–Get pants with flared or wide legs–Wear darker washes and colors on the bottom

–Wear shoes with pointed toes – gives the illusion of longer legs

Body StylesHourglass

–Enhance the bust and waist–Wear longer tops to lengthen torso–Wear darker fabrics to make the figure appear slimmer/smaller

–Wear dresses that have a fitted middle–Wear jeans with a flare or wider leg

Body ShapesApple Body ShapeFind tops to lengthen and elongate the torso–Wear a wrap style top – the line creates an

illusion of slimness–Wear an empire or raised waist–Wear dark, solid colors on top–Play up the legs and slim bottom by wearing

pencils or A line skirts–Wear pants that have pockets with flaps – gives

the illusion of more bottom