1. Clothing and Cultures
Clothes reflect the way that people think and live in a society. Many cultures developed a unique style of dress or national costume. Clothing ideas were frequently shared between cultures. Today, our clothes reflect a blend of many different cultures and our own highly industrialized society. Clothing can be a symbol of heritage, occupation, status, values, beliefs, and social customs. The style and quality of clothing can tell you about the technological and economic development of a culture or society.
As a final project for this clothing unit, research the type of clothing that was worn in an ancient culture. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation describing the styles, fabrics, method of construction, and types of adornment or decoration used. Did all the people wear the same styles? And, were there clothing restrictions according to occupation, wealth, or status?

2. History of Fabrics
People first used animal skins for clothing. Later they learned how to spin yarns and weave them into fabric. The natural fibers-flax, wool, cotton, and silk-were discovered thousands of years ago. Clothing styles changed over the centuries from draped or wrapped garments to fitted or seamed garments. In the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution changed the fabric and clothing industries. Many different inventions contributed to the growth of these industries. As a result, fabrics and garments could be made faster and cheaper. As a final project for this clothing unit, research one invention that affected the fabric and garment industry. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation about its development and impact on the clothing industry.

3. Clothes and the Family
The selection, purchase, construction, and care of clothing involve family decisions. Clothing needs are based on the occupations of family members, their location, activities, interests, and the family structure. Family values and goals also affect clothing decisions. As a final project for this clothing unit, survey parents, grandparents and other adults about clothing styles. What clothing rules or expectations do they follow when choosing clothes for work, social events, and special occasions? What were some of the special and popular styles during their high school days? What is their attitude toward how teenagers dress today? Do they approve or disapprove of the styles? How have their attitudes toward clothes changed since they were teenagers? Provide copies of family photos along with scripts of interviews with family members to show comparisons between yesterday and today's family clothing choices in a Power Point presentation and/or Web site for the classroom.

4. Clothing Messages
People wear clothes for many different reasons. Clothes provide protection, modesty, identification, status, and decoration. Uniforms, certain styles and colors, and special insignias can identify people as to occupation, groups, and roles. Groups can influence your choice of clothes. Some groups have special clothing requirements or expectations about how people should dress. Peer groups can apply peer pressure to make members conforms to a certain standard of dress. As a final project for this Clothing unit, research the Internet for images of famous people in various walks of life, such as politicians, entertainers, and sports figures, etc. Discuss in a Power Point presentation the message that each person is sending with a particular choice of clothing and describe the individual personality being projected through the image.

5. History of Clothing
Many years ago, fashions changed slowly. Today, fashions change rapidly. Some common clothing terms include fads, style, classic, status symbol, and "old fashioned." Each fashion has its own life cycle. Throughout history, different cultures of people, events, economics and social trends have influenced and changed how and what people wear. Today fashion in clothing is inspired by designers, media events, cultural events, foreign countries, technology and personalities. As a final project for this clothing unit, trace the changing roles of men and women during the past 100 years. How have these roles had an influence on fashion changes during this period of time? Can the changes in roles for men and women be related to the changes in fashion? Search the Internet for examples to support your opinions.

6. Clothes and Creativity
Everyone has a need for creativity and self-expression. Cultures express their ideas about beauty and taste in different ways. People have always expressed their creativity through their clothing. Fabric can be created by weaving, knitting, crocheting, lace-making, etc. The stitching crafts can be used to create or decorate clothing. These include sewing, embroidery, appliqué, patchwork, quilting, beadwork, etc. Also, different methods of dyeing and printing can be used to decorate fabric. As a final project for this clothing unit, recycle a garment of your personal wardrobe that you no long wear by using the creative design tools in the classroom. Use the CAD (computer assisted design) software attached to the electronic embroidery machines, classroom sergers and sewing machines for this creative design project. Remember that redesigning all or a portion of a garment can allow for a change in style, quality, fit, or color of the garment so that it will better meet your present clothing needs.