Not craft, not couture, not 'home sewing': teaching creative patternmaking to the iPod generation

摘要

Students in apparel programmes today are denizens of a world of computers, social media, and popular culture manifestations such as Project Runway. They have a different focus and different expectations and skills than students from previous generations. Current textbooks and teaching methods for apparel patternmaking were developed by and for these previous generations, and are rooted in the era of home economics. As educators we need to rethink how we introduce students to creative technical apparel design. The methods discussed here were developed over the last 30 years and evolved based on frequent student feedback. Teaching methods that resonate best with current students emphasise the conceptual, visual, and practical; they focus on the creative process and individual development. Exercises are important, but only to introduce basic concepts. Assignments quickly shift to individual creative projects. Technology skills are increasingly important, but the teacher's role is to guide and assess the learning process.