Fashion Accessories SS2 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note

What are Fashion Accessories?

An Accessory is an item used to contribute, in a secondary manner, to the wearer’s outfit. Simply put, they are the “extras” we add to our clothes to look complete.

Why do we use Accessories?

1. Function: A belt keeps trousers up; a bag carries our books or phone.
2. Style: A bright scarf can make a dull black dress look lively.
3. Correction: A wide belt can help define a waistline that isn’t very visible.
4. Culture: Some accessories, like certain hats or headwraps, tell people about our heritage.

The “Rule of Three”: A common fashion tip is not to wear more than three “statement” accessories at once. If you have a big hat, a big bag, and a big scarf, they will all “fight” for attention!

All About Belts

A belt is a flexible band or strap, typically made of leather or heavy cloth, worn around the waist.

Types of Belts:

• Tie-on Belts (Sashes): Made from the same fabric as the dress. They are soft and tied in a bow.
• Stiffened Belts: These use a very hard interfacing (belt stiffener) and a buckle.
• Elastic Belts: Stretchy belts that are comfortable for everyday wear.

How to Make a Simple Fabric Belt:

1. Measure: Take your waist measurement and add 15cm for the “tail” and 2cm for seams.
2. Stiffen: Iron a firm interfacing onto the wrong side of your fabric. This stops the belt from “folding” when you wear it.
3. The “Tube”: Sew the fabric into a long tube, turn it right side out, and press it very flat with a hot iron.
4. The Buckle: Slide your buckle onto one end and sew it down firmly with a “box stitch” for strength.

Scarves and Neckwear

Scarves are one of the easiest accessories to make, but they require a very “neat” hand because the edges are always visible.

Common Shapes:

• Square: Can be folded into a triangle and tied around the neck or head.
• Oblong (Long): The standard “muffler” style.
• Infinity: A circular scarf with no ends.

The “Rolled Hem” Secret: When making a scarf from thin fabric like chiffon or silk, you shouldn’t use a thick machine hem. Instead, use a Hand-Rolled Hem. You roll the edge of the fabric into a tiny “straw” and sew it with invisible stitches. This makes the scarf look expensive and delicate.

Hats and Headwear

Hats serve two purposes: protecting us from the sun/cold and making a “fashion statement.”

Basic Types:

• The Beret: A soft, round, flat-crowned hat.
• The Sun Hat: Has a wide brim to protect the face.
• The Fascinator: A small, decorative headpiece (very popular for weddings) that is attached to a headband or a clip.

Construction Tip (The Brim): The hardest part of making a hat is the Brim. To keep it from “flopping” into the wearer’s eyes, you must use several layers of heavy interfacing or even a thin plastic sheet (called a “Brim Stiffener”) inside the fabric.

Bags and Purses

Every student needs a bag! In garment making, we focus on Fabric Bags (Totes, Clutches, and Pouches).

Key Parts of a Bag:

1. The Body: The main pouch.
2. The Lining: Very important! A bag without a lining will feel “cheap” and threads will get caught in your keys.
3. The Straps: These must be “Cross-stitched” (a square with an X inside) where they meet the bag so they don’t rip off when the bag is heavy.
4. The Closure: This can be a zipper, a magnetic snap, or a simple button.

Class Activity: Look at the person sitting next to you. Identify one accessory they are wearing. Is it for Function (useful) or for Style (beauty)?

Practical Task: Using a scrap of Ankara fabric (30cm x 30cm), try to make a simple Headband with an elastic back. Focus on making your top-stitching perfectly straight!