Sewing Skills: Constructing Household Items

19 Grade 8 Agriculture questions on Sewing Skills: Constructing Household Items, with worked marking schemes. 19 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   When threading a hand-sewing needle, the thread is passed through the:

   A. Eye of the needle

   B. Point of the needle

   C. Hole in the thimble

   D. Handle of the scissors

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   The backstitch is preferred to the running stitch for seams because it is:

   A. Stronger and more secure

   B. Only used for decoration

   C. Only used for temporary joining

   D. Faster but weaker

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   Why should fabric be pressed at various stages while constructing a household item?

   A. To make the fabric fray more

   B. To give flat seams and a neat, professional finish

   C. To shrink the item permanently

   D. To weaken the stitches

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   4 marks

   Outline the steps a learner would follow when constructing a simple household item such as a table mat, from measuring to finishing. Give four steps in order. (4 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any four in logical order (1 mark each): take measurements of the fabric using a tape measure and mark; cut out the fabric to the required size; tack/pin the edges to hold in place; sew the seams/edges using a suitable permanent stitch (e.g. backstitch); neaten and hem the raw edges; press with a flat iron to give a neat finish.

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   A learner is sewing a kitchen apron by hand and wants the edges to be neat and prevent the fabric from fraying. Which stitch is MOST suitable for finishing the raw edges?

   A. Tacking stitch

   B. Hemming stitch

   C. A loose running stitch left undone

   D. No stitch at all

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   4 marks

   A Grade 8 learner is constructing a duster (cleaning cloth) for use at home.

   (a) Name two tools she needs for the task. (2 marks)

   (b) State two safety precautions she should observe while sewing. (2 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Any two (1 mark each): needle; thread; scissors/shears; tape measure; thimble; pins; flat iron. (b) Any two (1 mark each): keep pins and needles in a pin cushion when not in use; handle scissors/needles carefully and pass with handle first; keep fingers away from the sewing needle; store sharp tools safely after use; iron carefully to avoid burns; count pins/needles before and after use.

7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Which stitch is used to neaten a raw edge so that the fabric does not fray?

   A. Gathering stitch

   B. Running stitch

   C. Overcasting stitch

   D. Tacking stitch

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Pinking shears are used in sewing to:

   A. Push the needle through thick fabric

   B. Measure long lengths of cloth

   C. Cut a zigzag edge that reduces fraying of fabric

   D. Press seams flat

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   The tool used to press seams flat and give a household item a neat finish is a/an:

   A. Tape measure

   B. Flat iron

   C. Thimble

   D. Pair of pinking shears

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    When making a table mat, the raw edge is turned under and stitched down. This finishing process is called:

    A. Cutting out

    B. Gathering

    C. Hemming

    D. Tacking

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    3 marks

    State three reasons why neatening raw edges is important when constructing a household item. (3 marks)

    (3 marks)

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12. Question 12

    4 marks

    Explain the use of each of the following sewing tools when constructing household items:

    (a) Thimble (2 marks)

    (b) Flat iron (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Thimble: worn on the finger to protect it and to help push the needle through the fabric without pricking or hurting the finger (2 marks). (b) Flat iron: used to press the fabric and seams flat at various stages of construction to give the item a neat, smooth and professional finish (2 marks).

13. Question 13

    1 mark

    Which stitch is MOST suitable for permanently joining two pieces of fabric when constructing a household item such as a pillowcase?

    A. Backstitch

    B. Tailor's tacks

    C. Tacking stitch

    D. Basting stitch

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    A thimble is used during hand sewing to:

    A. Protect the finger when pushing the needle through fabric

    B. Mark the sewing line

    C. Cut the thread neatly

    D. Measure the length of fabric

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    A Grade 8 learner is constructing a kitchen apron and needs to finish the raw edges of the fabric so that they do not fray and unravel after washing. Which sewing technique should the learner use to neaten these raw edges?

    A. Tacking stitch only

    B. Hemming the edges

    C. Leaving the edges raw

    D. Cutting more fabric away

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    Which measuring tool is MOST suitable for taking measurements of fabric before cutting a household item?

    A. Thimble

    B. Tape measure

    C. Sewing needle

    D. Flat iron

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    Before sewing the final seam, temporary stitches used to hold fabric in place are called:

    A. Overcasting stitches

    B. Hemming stitches

    C. Backstitches

    D. Tacking (basting) stitches

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    4 marks

    (a) State the difference between a temporary stitch and a permanent stitch. (2 marks)

    (b) Give one example of each. (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) A temporary stitch is used to hold fabric in place for a short time and is later removed, while a permanent stitch is used to join fabric firmly and is left in the finished item (2 marks). (b) Temporary stitch example: tacking/basting (1 mark). Permanent stitch example: backstitch/running stitch/hemming/overcasting (1 mark).

19. Question 19

    4 marks

    A learner wants to store sewing tools safely after making a household item.

    (a) State two reasons for storing sewing tools properly. (2 marks)

    (b) Name two sharp tools that must be handled with care. (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Any two (1 mark each): to prevent injuries/accidents; to prevent loss of tools; to keep tools in good working condition; to make them easy to find next time. (b) Any two (1 mark each): scissors/shears; needles; pins; pinking shears.

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