Machines whir as students attach pins to fabric patterns, fashioning clothes of their own design in the Clothing Construction and Design class on June 8.

According to the Silver Guide, the elective is open to students in grades 9-12. The class has both a regular and advanced section and focuses on teaching students how to operate a sewing machine through a variety of projects. The regular section features projects like making a monster doll, lounge pants, a school duffel bag, and a bucket hat, with time at the end of the class for students to come up with their own unique projects.

For the advanced section, however, students spend their time in the class creating clothing of their own design. Junior Kaylin Fava, who is in the advanced section, says it offers more creative freedom.

“I love the projects, but mostly I love being able to create my own things,” Fava said. “I made a mask that matched my pajama pants. I made bandanas for my dog, and I embroidered her name on it. I really love having that creative time to keep for myself, and I find that that actually helps me in other aspects of school because when I have that dedicated creative time, it just makes my brain work better.” 

Gallery • 15 Photos

Sandy Huang '29

A student stitches on one of the classroom sewing machines during Clothing Design and Construction on June 9.

According to Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Ms. Frances Schoonover, many students are not accustomed to the unique challenges of sewing.

“[Students’] fingertips [are] used to playing on phones and maybe not necessarily holding something with their fine motor skills,” Schoonover said. “[Also] remembering the process, so they can apply it for the next project. Those are some of the challenges.”

Schoonover believes that students best learn and remedy those challenges through practice, and students spend most of their time in the class sewing.

“I have high expectations on how students spend their time in my classroom,” Schoonover said. “My expectation is that they are always honing their craft.”

Junior Leah Moretti appreciates the contrast between the sewing-oriented elective and traditional academic classes.

“I just feel like it was really nice to have a class where I could use that creative side of my brain. I was in a lot of AP classes, and so having this class at the end of my schedule was a much needed break,” Moretti said. “It was really valuable that I was able to just not think about school really and just be in the moment, relax, and work on something that I enjoy.”

For junior Molly Lloyd, the process of designing clothes and sewing served as a window into what the fashion industry is like.

“I think that the fashion industry is really cool,” Lloyd said. “Getting to learn more about what makes a piece valuable is really cool.”

Junior Kathryn Kudrick sees the chance to wear what she creates as particularly meaningful.

“I wore them in public and someone was complimenting my pants and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I made them,’ and it felt really good,” Kudrick said. “It feels good to have stuff that you make, because it’s a lot more valuable to you.”

Fava, who designed a green dress that she was able to wear, echoed this sentiment. 

“It’s empowering. I get to create something I can actually wear and use,” Fava said.

This story was produced in the Media for Publications class in spring 2026.