Once again,  the clothing construction students are making a fashion statement with hand-made ponchos, and they are  applying the craft of crochet and knitting to embellish them.

The Construction I students are learning to knit scarves.  Contrary to popular belief, knitting is easier than crochet, because the stitches are kept on the stick and uniformity is easier to obtain.   Crochet requires more advanced skills and the various textures of yarns often make it difficult to manage.  Next year, the Construction I students will advance to crochet projects.

In the second year, students learn techniques of crochet, which consist of chaining and counting stitches.  First, they created the ponchos freehand.  Then they make a chain to go around the bottom.  They attach the chain by sewing it and adding more rows, which they can make as thick or as narrow as they choose.  They also decide how they want to trim the neckline. 

The three-year curriculum that was adopted by the district was written by Mrs. McGuire-Long.  The benefits of these projects is that they are hands-on...  more conducive to raising the students’ grades.  In the past, grades were low because of too much textbook work.  Now, through the incorporation of a multifaceted approach, students’ interests have peaked, and so has their productivity and creativity.  Exams are intense, however.  For example, mid-terms are written and consist of multiple-choice and essay questions.  Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the sewing machine, various fabrics, needles, threads, safety (how to pass and transport scissors, etc.) and troubleshooting techniques.  Knowledge of the retail industry is another component of the midterm examination.  The final exam is hands-on:  Given a garment, which is pre-cut by the teacher, students have to construct it without help from anyone.  Students are graded via a teacher-made rubric.

Showcasing events included the Annual Fashion Design/Clothing Construction Presentation, which took place on April 22nd.  The program consisted of a showcase of all garments made during the school year by students in the Clothing Construction program.  Clothing Construction I students showcased sleepwear (basically pajamas), a western scene (RoughRider spirit) and casual attire.  Clothing Construction II students showcased eveningwear and business attire. 

Another significant event was the Catherine’s Closet senior prom project.  Two West Side High seniors were chosen, via grab bag selection, and the Clothing Construction students outfitted them, coordinating their prom outfits and accessories.  The design were a collaborative effort between the chosen students and the Clothing Construction students.

Mrs. McGuire-Long is the director of the Len-Guire Institute of Fashion in Plainfield, New Jersey, a not for profit 503C institution that she opened on January 8th.  McGuire-Long is a seasoned fashion designer and a  NJ Certified Entrepreneur who believes in exposing young people to the fashion industry.  Five students from West Side attend McGuire-Long’s institute on Saturday mornings.  McGuire-Long started a Fashion Club at West Side High, with funding from the Superintendent’s mini grant.  The Fashion Club, which is an extension of the Saturday program at the Len-Guire Institute of Fashion, meets Mondays and Wednesdays (the first two weeks of each month) and Mondays and Thursdays (the second two weeks of each month).   Under the mini grant funding, all students are members of the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers Incorporated.  Students Lauren Brooks, (10th grade), and Tasha David (12th grade) are members of the Newark Public Schools Fashion Advisory Board. 

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