Using the classroom sewing machine, I created a mini stocking for my new puppy because I wanted to challenge myself, and see what I am capable of creating for learning how to sew for the first time! I also really wanted to create it for a nice gift for my new dog for this holiday season, and hopefully make it so he can get some gifts this year for an enjoyable first Christmas! Another reason is because I had some leftover fabric I wanted to utilize at home, and see what I could manage with it in the last few days I had to do this project with!

During this process, I learned how to use the classroom sewing machine. I also learned how to be more patient, because it was frustrating not knowing how to work the machine, and on getting it to start working correctly. I'm glad I chose this project though,  because it also taught me how to connect fabrics and clothing! Now I can create things at home with my grandma's sewing machine.

The 7 standards of the class are Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, and Global Collaborator. My project ties to an Innovative designer because I had to set up a process and a concept for my project to understand what I want to make, and use for this project. I also had to watch video tutorials for an understanding of this project, and research some fabric types (because of the sewing issue). Another reason is because I had to test out the different types of fabrics I had too! Some were easier to use and shape than others, making me choose to use those for the project. Lastly, it goes with Innovative Designer because starting to sew for the first time definitely came with its obstacles and challenges that I had to face and learn how to resolve.

A challenge I overcame on this project was not knowing that the machine was not set up correctly, and that it was not ME messing up the process and project. I was able to do it by asking my peers for help, and learning that it wasn't done correctly. I also got Mr. Renner to fix it so I could start to sew with 1 day left, which I managed to create a small pouch for my desk pets. 

Given a chance to do this again, I would change what I chose to make with the time given. The reason why I would change it is because I feel like I could have tried to create something at least a little better to show that I managed to learn how to use the machine. But given the circumstances that I was under those few days, I believe I could have possibly made an even bigger pouch.

Hastings High School Career and Technical Education Program offers Agriculture, Business Management, Computer Programming, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, Digital Multimedia, Engineering Design, Finance, Insurance, Marketing.  My project connects to the Engineering Design CTE program at Hastings High School. It connects to Engineering Design because sewing was a project filled with problem solving, which I had a lot of during this project. It also connects with reasoning and choices, like choosing what to make/create, and using what to use for the project. Lastly, it connects because they each deal with assembling things together; sewing connects fabrics to create projects like mine, but way better.

My project connects to careers in Fashion Designing because they each utilize in creating things. Fashion Designers usually create their clothes with sewing as well, which is another reason why they really connect. Sewing and Fashion Design each use fabrics too, and deal with creativity and thinking outside the box for projects and ideas.