Intro Notes - Sewing Studio Policies, Inventory, and Orientation

Session Overview

• Today's studio session is a course introduction focusing on course structure, instructor background, student icebreaker, and policy orientation. The plan includes a break, locker inventory, and then a detailed walk-through of the sewing kit and studio policies, ending with a short walk to the upstairs lecture space for Monday lectures.

Instructor Background and Context

• Instructor name: Mitch Frank (m i t c h f r a n k).
• Personal/work bio references:
  • Maintains a personal website with a brief bio; active on LinkedIn in textiles, fashion design, consumer behavior and marketplace studies.
  • Encourages students to network on LinkedIn early as a job-market access strategy.
• Family and relocation:
  • Two sons: Emmett (2) and Clyde (6 months).
  • Wife: Allie. Recently relocated from Detroit area to Madison; started teaching in 2023 after moving here in 2023 post-graduate work.
• Professional background:
  • About a decade in New York City garment industry, garment center experience with independent men’s brands as production manager and on sewing lines.
  • 2019: MFA in Fibers from Cranbrook Academy of Art (Detroit area).
  • Cranbrook emphasis: studio craft philosophy; focus on fabric fabrication and clothing construction from fabric; maintains a studio-craft ethics in personal work.
• Artistic/wardrobe inclinations:
  • Preferences lean toward vintage and antique workwear; styling aligns with normcore and city-boy aesthetics from Japan (influence: Popeye magazine).
• Educational context and course framing:
  • D153 is an intro class prerequisite for textiles and fashion design major; also required for the textiles and fashion design certificate (TFD cert). Mix of first-year students and declared majors, with some students pursuing the certificate later in their program.

Icebreaker and Self-Introduction Procedure

• Icebreaker format:
  • Randomly select a participant to start.
  • Each person shares: name, preferred pronouns (optional), year, major, and a clothes interest or ambition.
  • Use of a popcorn-style follow-up: after someone shares, another student is “popped” to ask a follow-up question and share their own intro.
• Rostering and prompts:
  • The instructor pulls up the class roster to confirm prompts and ensure everyone can read the prompts.
• Sample participant introductions (selected highlights):
  • Avery: pronouns she/her; freshman; major: fashion and textile design; likes thrifting; garments with lace and fun textiles.
  • Ian Riley: pronouns he/him; senior; sociology major; textile and online certificate student; clothing taste includes streetwear and futuristic punk.
  • Ruby Friedman: pronouns she/her; junior; major listed as “n one” (transcription artifact); notes about returning to creative work after a break; enjoys basics + embellishments.
  • Miley: pronouns she/her; sophomore; major: TFD and Community Service Leadership; thrifting; diverse style interests.
  • Cole: pronouns he/him; sophomore; major: textile design and fashion; likes denim.
  • Danny: pronouns she/her; junior; major: Consumer Behavior and Marketplace Studies; certificate in textile design; likes basics that look put-together, plus beads and embroidery.
  • Ricky: pronouns he/him; graduate student (class of 2029); major: TFD; minimalist by default, sometimes deviates.
  • Kalia: pronouns she/her; freshman; majors: Dance and Fashion Textile Design; activewear focus; aims to design dancewear; minimalist aesthetic.
  • Nina: dancer since age 5 with brief breaks; aims to design costumes and start a studio; CBMS entrepreneurship emphasis noted.
  • Finn: pronouns he/him; freshman; major: textile and fashion design; streetwear with cross-style influences.
  • Renee: (continues icebreaker sequence; context implies participation but specific details not deeply captured in excerpt).
  • Jack: pronouns he/him; junior; major: textile and fashion design; prefers couture/avant-garde influences.
  • Julia: pronouns she/her; junior; majors: Consumer Behavior and Workplace Studies and Economics; certificate in design; loves 90s vintage and maximalist color.
• Note on participation:
  • The instructor acknowledges optional sharing and creates a low-pressure environment; if a student is uncomfortable sharing, they can keep details minimal and still participate in the follow-up questions.

Locker Policy and In-Class Logistics

• Break and locker claim:
  • Break time to claim lockers in the hallway (first-come, first-served).
  • Procedure: write your name and the semester on tape and affix to a locker; you may place a lock (recommended).
  • End-of-semester clean-out date posted; remove lock and clear locker or contents will be discarded over winter break by custodial staff.
• Locker locations:
  • Primary lockers outside this room; more lockers located down the hallway (left side past the link/balcony area).
• Materials pass-along: minimal equipment lists available; a small roll of tape and markers provided; line up to claim lockers.

Sewing Kit Inventory Walkthrough (Item-by-Item, Group Inventory)

• Context:
  • Students will inventory items in their sewing box using a Canvas quiz (true/false) to indicate possession of each item.
  • Some items may be on backorder; some boxes may contain two items in one box or none in another due to packing.
  • A QR code in the kit leads to the supplier’s online store for replenishment.
• Inventory items and explanations:
  • Sewing box: true for everyone; base inventory.
  • Bobbin case: used with professional machines; removable in this program; explains interaction of top thread and bobbin during stitching.
  • Bobbin: wound thread sits in case; essential for bobbin bobbin-case-thread combo; precision with compatible bobbins for the machines.
  • Pack of 10 needles: for single-needle machines; code for these needles is $dbx-1$; NM and international size codes vary by country; needle size example: $80/12$ (Euro/US equivalent).
  • NM (Needle Measurement): indicates size; example: $80/12$; details: 80 (European) and 12 (American) are equivalent.
  • DBX1: code for needle type; screen shows mapping and cross-country naming like 1738, 16X257 in other markets.
  • B27 needles: for serger machines; sergers use multiple needles and spools; optional for some students depending on shipment.
  • Fabric shears: Fiskars brand; donated by Fiskars USA to UW system; variety pack; blades differ per student.
  • Thread snips: for trimming loose threads; important to keep track as equipment is limited.
  • Tweezers: used for threading and navigating tight spaces; useful for placing object in needle or navigating corners.
  • Hand sewing needles: mixed lengths/shapes; used in a short hand sewing module; practice choosing needle for stitch type.
  • Needle threader: tool to thread needle eyes; can be helpful when hands are sore or unsteady; often faster to thread by hand but handy when necessary.
  • Standard presser foot: two presser feet total; standard foot has a wire finger guard; machines are left unbuilt outside class hours for safety.
  • Zipper foot (specialty presser foot): standard zipper foot only in kit; invisible zipper foot not included but discussed for later use.
  • Seam ripper: essential for undoing mistakes; included in kit.
  • Clear ruler (6 inches): for tracing shapes and straight edges; used to measure stitches per inch (SPI).
  • Measuring tape (inches and metric): default in inches/feet/yards in class; some students prefer metric familiarity; used for fabric measurement.
  • Cotton sewing thread: used for class projects; biodegradable; scraps go to paper-making process in intro textiles design room.
  • Small silver screw: used to attach presser foot; thumb screw designed for easy removal; standard machines use screwdriver normally.
• Notes on participation in the inventory:
  • Not all shipments may be complete; some items may be missing or yet to arrive; if you’re missing items, notify the instructor via Canvas or provide the paper inventory.
  • If you need to replace items, a replacement parts sheet will be provided as part of the course materials.

Machinery and Tools: Setup, Use, and Safety

• Core concepts:
  • Refrain from leaving machines set up with needles, bobbin cases, or presser feet when not in use; to avoid damage or injury.
  • Students receive dedicated components to assemble a machine and should take them when leaving.
  • Basic components include presser feet, bobbin case, bobbin, needle, and thread.
  • Machines in this studio are professional-grade; disallow untrained access to machines outside class hours.
• Presser feet: standard and zipper foot; other specialized feet may be introduced later; object to maintain standardized tooling across the class.
• Thread and needle compatibility:
  • Use appropriate needles based on fabric type and stitch; the right needle improves speed and comfort.
  • A sheet of compatible parts/resources will be provided for replacement needs (e.g., if a presser foot is misplaced).
• Safety protocol around machines:
  • Notify instructor or technician immediately if a machine stops working or behaves abnormally; technician for both interior architecture and textiles and fashion design is Mark Claiborne; his office is down the hallway in the fab lab area.
  • If a machine is malfunctioning after hours, fill out a machine repair form and leave it on the machine so instructors and others know it needs attention.
• Iron policy (gravity irons):
  • Iron types used here are gravity irons with a water reservoir; distilled water preferred; do not operate with dry irons to avoid damage to electronics.
  • Do not use steam until the iron is fully heated to avoid ejecting dirty water; wait for the iron to be hot before engaging steam.
  • Irons should be turned off when not in use; last person to leave should ensure irons are off.
• Personal safety and attire:
  • Wear appropriate, snug clothing with no loose fabrics that could catch on the machine; secure long hair and jewelry; wear closed-toed shoes.
• Post-use housekeeping:
  • Turn off machines, brush away lint, place fabric scraps in scrap bin (red bin), remove needle/presser foot/bobbin/bobbin case, cover machine with a fabric cover, and take personal supplies with you.
  • Keep track of personal items and avoid storing personal belongings in the studio; use lockers or personal spaces when possible.
• After-hours access and conduct:
  • Students may access after hours (24/7) due to the program; access can be granted but can be revoked for safety or policy violations.
  • Do not work alone after hours; bring a buddy; if found working alone after hours, access may be temporarily revoked.
  • After-hours work requires careful cleanup: dispose of waste properly, refill iron water reservoirs, remove personal items, turn off machines and irons, close windows (where applicable), spray and wipe drafting tables, and ensure doors are closed.
  • Food and drink are not permitted in studios after hours to protect equipment and materials; if you need a drink, step into the hallway.
• Accountability and policy feedback:
  • Instructors can issue warnings for messy after-hours spaces; repeated failure can result in closure of the studio after hours until cleanliness is restored.
  • Student voices will be considered in policy feedback forums later in the semester.
  • Damage reporting: students must notify instructors/technicians about machine damage regardless of fault (negligence or misuse); repeated misuse can result in loss of after-hours access.
• Orientation and training:
  • A formal orientation on sewing machines begins next week; only trained machines may be used after hours (serger access delayed until later in the semester).
  • Always sew a test stitch on scrap fabric prior to working on a project to ensure machine settings are correct and to avoid damaging your project.
• Role of staff:
  • Studio technician: Mark Claiborne; located in the fab lab; main contact for machine issues.
  • Signage and visibility: planned signage to clearly convey threading and needle-selection guidelines.

Week Structure, Attendance, and Course Logistics

• Course format:
  • Combines lectures (Mondays 09:55–10:45) in Room 4235; plan to walk upstairs to the lecture space after class.
  • Three studio sections; each section has 16 students; total students in studios: $3 imes 16 = 48$.
  • Section 303 meets Tue/Thu 09:00–10:40; attendance policies apply to both lecture and studio components.
• Attendance and grading:
  • Attendance is required for both lecture and studio; unexcused absences affect grades.
  • Online sign-in system will be used starting next week to streamline attendance.
• Syllabus and materials:
  • The syllabus will cover learning goals, week-by-week schedule, and textbook details; some items may require procurement by students.
  • Monday lecture details and weekly topics will be posted on Canvas; this week included an introduction to the course and policies.
• Classroom layout and room allocation:
  • Sew studios in rooms 3265, 3275, and 3285; access policy grants 24/7 availability for enrolled students; access can be revoked for policy violations.
• Accessibility and forums:
  • There will be a student feedback forum later in the semester to discuss policy effectiveness and suggested improvements.

Policies at a Glance: Safety, Conduct, and Environment

• Shared resources and accountability:
  • All sewing tables, machines, and tools are shared resources; students must keep areas clean and return tools to their proper locations.
• Food and drink:
  • Strict policy against food in studios; water bottles allowed at tables but not at sewing machines, subject to instructor discretion.
• Dress and behavior:
  • Dress to reduce risk of entanglement with machines; long hair tied back; avoid loose jewelry; closed-toed shoes required.
• After-hours operations:
  • Comprehensive after-hours cleanup checklist to be budgeted into work sessions (waste disposal, iron refills, personal items removal, machine/iron shutdown, drafting table cleaning, door closure).
  • The building is open 08:00–19:00 (approximate hours mentioned); Wis card access grants after-hours access; card activation may take 5–7 business days.
• Sign-off and concerns:
  • Students are asked to sign the final page of the policy packet to indicate understanding; concerns are welcome and can be discussed with the instructor (Mitch Frank).
• Troubleshooting and escalation:
  • If a studio is left messy after hours, a warning is issued; failure to comply may lead to temporary closures until conditions are restored.
• Communication and feedback:
  • The policy process values student voice; forums will be established to gather feedback and adjust policies accordingly.

End-of-Session: Next Steps and Closing

• Final actions:
  • If you agree with the policies, sign the final page of the policy packet and return to the instructor.
  • For concerns about the policies, approaches to address them with the instructor are encouraged.
• Post-class transition:
  • Optional voluntary walk-up to the upstairs lecture space to orient students to where Monday lectures occur.
• Quick reference: key contact and identifiers
  • Instructor: Mitch Frank (Mitch Frank)
  • Technician: Mark Claiborne
  • Course: Textiles and Fashion Design (TFD); Introductory course D153; certificate track available
  • Canvas: weekly modules and the sewing kit inventory quiz (true/false) for item verification

Quick Reference: Key Numbers and Codes

• Course and section identifiers:
  • Course code: $D153$
  • Sections: three studio sections; $16$ students per section; total $48$
  • Lecture time: $09:55$–$10:45$ on Mondays
  • Lecture room: Room 4235
  • Studio section time: Section 303 meets Tue/Thu from $09:00$ to $10:40$
• Inventory and equipment codes:
  • Needle type: $dbx-1$ (single-needle machines)
  • Needle size example: $80/12$ (European/American equivalent)
  • Serger needles: "B27" needles
  • Notable distances: 6-inch clear ruler; standard measuring tape with inches and metric
• Operational hours and access:
  • Building access: 24/7 for enrolled students (after-hours access may be revoked for violations)
  • Card-based access: Wis card; activation may take 5–7 business days
• Safety and waste notes:
  • Copper and synthetic waste streams to be recycled where possible; poly/nylon threads go to trash to avoid contaminating recycling.scrap paper is recycled