Lesson

Caring for the Sick

3
Learning Target

In the end of the lesson, you will be able to discuss the proper ways of preparing the bedroom and
demonstrate the proper way of dressing and undressing the patient and making an occupied bed.

Exploration

Each of us knows that we have an obligation to care for the old, the young, and the sick. We stand strongest
when we stand with the weakest among us. -Sarah Palin

Have you ever experienced taking your family's vital signs like checking their pulse rate and blood pressure?
Have you ever experienced dressing and undressing them, or changing their diaper? It may be difficult to do it at first,
but it is important to learn these things, especially when the sick patient does not find it comfortable being assisted by
a person who is a total stranger to him or her. By taking care of our sick loved ones, we are able to let them feel our
love in its truest sense.

Go and Learn

How can you take care of your sick family member at home? What are the necessary skills that you need to
know? Taking care of the sick member in the family requires a bedroom that is conducive for fast recovery. Part of
the work of a nurse or a caregiver is to dress and undress the patient correctly, change the patient's diaper, and
change the patient's bedsheets when needed.

Bedroom
The bedroom is a place where sick people find most of
the comfort they need. Proper arrangement and design of the
bedroom is important for fast recovery of the patient. The bedroom
should be well lighted and well ventilated for a more comforting
atmosphere. It should always be clean and orderly with no
unpleasant smell. The floor should be free from any clutter to
prevent further accident when the patient has to move around the
room. It would also be an advantage if the room is near the
bathroom so that the patient will not have to walk far when they
need to use it.
Bathing the Patient

Bathing the patient is one of the important routines that nurses

and caregivers removes the dirt and the dead cells that may cause
irritation and rashes. Second, should perform for several reasons. First, it
helps cleanse the skin of the patient. It bathing the patient promotes
better blood circulation, especially through the use of warm water and the
gentle stroking of the patient's extremities. Bathing helps improve
patient's self-image with the feeling of freshness and comfort.

Types of Bathing

1. Complete bed bath involves washing the patient's entire body in bed. It is usually done for patients
who are paralyzed or unconscious.

2. Partial bed bath refers to bathing the patient's face, hands, underarms, genitals, back, and buttocks to
prevent the development of body odors.

3. Shower bath is given to patients who can already move. Since they are still weak, a bathing chair is
used for them to sit on while bathing.

4. Tub bath involves immersing the patient in a tub of water to provide more thorough washing and
rinsing than a bed bath can provide.

Dressing and Undressing the Patient

Have you ever thought of how to change the clothing of a paralyzed patient or
maybe a partially immobilized one? How can you remove the clothes if they cannot even
move? Here are the important guidelines that you should take note in doing this
procedure.

1. Provide patient's privacy by closing the door of the room.

2. Encourage the patient to do as much as possible.
3. Remove clothing from the strong side first.
4. Put clothing on the weak side first.
Making an Occupied Bed

Making an occupied bed refers to the process of replacing the beddings of a sick patient. It is
done to prevent exposure to dirt and bacteria that may aggravate the illness. It also provides comfort to
the patient since it assures a clean bed to stay on.

Steps in Making an Occupied Bed

1. Provide patient's privacy.

2. Gently roll the patient to one side of the bed.
3. Roll the bedsheet to the center with the soiled portion inside.
4. Place the clean bedsheet along the center of the bed then fanfold against the patient's back
and unfold the remaining half.
5. Gently assist the patient to roll over the bottom bedsheet or to the other side.
6. Remove the soiled bedsheet by rolling it from the side to the center, then place it into the hamper.
7. Unfold the clean bedsheet and spread it completely and neatly on the bed.
 Lesson 2- Basic Hand Stitches

Objective

In the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify different basic hand stitches.

Exploration

There are instances where rips and tears occur in garments. You can hand sew the damage part or use a
sewing machine. Hand sewing is an essential skill that every tailor must know. Aside from fixing ripped clothes,
some finishing techniques are done exclusively by hand, which is vital for the item's appearance, functionality, and
durability.

Lesson Proper

One of the misconceptions in hand sewing is that a long thread should be used. On the contrary, the
recommended ideal length is 18-24 inches to avoid tangling or breaking of the thread due to friction because it is
repeatedly going in and out of the fabric. Single or double thread is another consideration in hand sewing. Single
thread is used for almost all kinds of work while double thread is used to secure the stitches in buttons, snaps, hook
and eye, and the like. Hand stitches are categorized into temporary stitches and permanent stitches.

A. Temporary stitches are used to temporarily hold the fabric together. It is eventually secured by a permanent
stitch. The rule of thumb for thread and fabric is to have contrasting colors to remove the temporary stitches easier
afterward.

1. Even basting looks like a running stitch wherein the length of stitches and spaces are equal.
 2. Uneven basting is the opposite of even basting, wherein the length of stitches and spaces are unequal.

3. Diagonal basting is a series of parallel diagonal lines.

4. Slip basting is ideally used for fabrics with patterns to accurately match stripes, plaid, or other prints.

B. Permanent stitches are hand stitches that are not to be removed. Durability of stitches should be secured. Unlike
temporary stitches, the color of the thread to be used in permanent stitches should be the same or almost similar to
the thread of the fabric.
 1. Running stitch is almost similar with even basting. This has smaller stitches with a measurement of
approximately 1 inch. It is also being used for hand darning.
4

2. Backstitch is considered as one of the strongest hand stitches that can sometimes replace machine
sewing. It creates a straight line on the top side and overlapping stitches at the back.
 3. Hemming stitch is used to create invisible stitches on the hem. Always start with the wrong side of the
fabric. There are different types of hemming stitch such as herringbone, slip hemming, blanket, flat fell, and invisible
or blind stitch.

4. Buttonhole stitch is basically stitched on the raw edges of the fabric with no spaces to ensure that the
thread from the cloth will not unravel. Also, it is considered as the smaller version of the blanket stitch. If the tailor
wishes to use the sewing machine to create a buttonhole stitch, it should be sewn first before cutting the hole of the
buttonhole which is the exact opposite for hand sewing. The measurement of buttonhole stitch is the size of the
button + 1/8 inch.
 Steps in Creating a Buttonhole Stitch

1. Before starting, make sure that you are working with two layers of fabric. Put at least three pins around the fabric to make
sure that the cloth will not move.

2. Compute for the measurement of the buttonhole.

3. Create a horizontal line using the computed measurement of buttonhole and add a small vertical line for both left and right
as a guide to the beginning and end of the pattern.

Example:

4. Create a rectangular box with a measurement of 18 inch around the four sides of the buttonhole.

Example:

5. Cut the line of the buttonhole and start sewing.

 Lesson 3 – Measurement and Calculations

Objective

In the end of the lesson, you will be able to learn to take body measurements.

Exploration

Have you ever been frustrated when you have bought a blouse that perfectly fits the mannequin, but
apparently does not complement your body shape? Fortunately, having the right size of clothes is all you need to
know. Having the basic skills in measuring is enough to learn what specific size of clothes perfectly fits your body. It
is not important whether your clothes are expensive or not; having the right fitting clothes are more important to
make you look better and more proportioned.

Lesson Proper

Taking body measurements is not as easy as drawing borders in an oslo paper for a project. It requires
precision and accuracy to ensure that it will fit to the client's body frame. By following the correct guidelines, you have
a greater chance that your sewn products will be a success.

Guidelines Before Taking Body Measurements

Before starting to take body measurements, you have to make sure that you have the needed materials
such as pen, paper, and tape measure. It would also be an edge if you have informed your clients to wear the
appropriate clothing.

1. Use only one tape measure for the entire activity. Since tape measures are made from different
manufacturers, there is no assurance that all tape measures are the same.

2. Use the tape measure correctly and accurately. You should decide before starting if inches or centimeters
will be used for the body measurement. Once you have decided, it should be executed all throughout the process. It
is not a good practice to round off the measurement because it will make a great difference in the pattern.

3. Ask someone to take your body measurements. You cannot accurately do it by yourself. If you are being
measured, make sure to stand up straight and breathe normally to arrive at precise measurements.

4. Wear appropriate clothes. Using well-fitted clothes are more ideal for taking accurate body measurements
instead of thick clothing.
 Reading the Tape Measure

Tape measure is a flexible tool that is used when taking body measurements. There are two units of
measurement that is commonly used in taking body measurements-inches and centimeters. The use of inch is known
as English system while the use of centimeter is known as metric system.

1. English system (inches)

An inch is divided into eight equal parts that should not be rounded off when taking body
measurements. Never use a tape measure with 10 equal parts per inch. Refer to the illustration below.

2. Metric system (centimeters)

A centimeter is divided into 10 equal parts or 10 millimeters. Refer to the illustration below.

Taking Body Measurements

Taking body measurements can be done in three ways. Vertical measurement is taken from top going
down, horizontally measurement is taken from left to right and circular measurement is taken around the body.

A. Vertical measurement is taken from the upper part of the body to the lower part.

1. Bust height is taken from the base of the neck down to the tip of the bust.

2. Front figure is taken from the base of the neck down to the waistline passing through the highest point of
the bust.

3. Blouse length is taken from the base of the neck passing through the bust point down to the desired
length.

4. Back figure is taken from the base of the neck passing through the shoulder blades down to the natural
waistline.

5. Sleeve length is taken from the shoulder tip point down to the desired length. Bend the arms for long
sleeves.
6. Skirt length is taken from the waistline down to the desired length.

B. Circular measurement is taken around the body or 360 degrees body part.

1. Bust line is fitting measurement taken around the fullest part of the bust.

2. Waistline is taken around the smallest part of the natural waistline.

3. Hipline is taken around the prominent part of the hips, which is about 7 to 8 inches from the waistline.

C. Horizontal measurement is taken from left to right.

1. Shoulder line is taken from the shoulder tip point to the other shoulder point across the back.

2. Bust width or bust/apex distance is taken from one bust point to the other bust point.
 Lesson 4- Parts of the Sewing Machine

Objective

In the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the different parts and functions of the sewing machine.

Exploration

Hand sewing is a very important skill. Using a sewing machine makes the person's work faster and easier.
Hence, sewing machine is necessary for garment manufacturers.

Sewing machines are different from one another in terms of appearance, but their functions are the same.
One of the most common types of sewing machine is the manual sewing machine. It is ideal for beginners and is
operated by the foot. It helps in practicing coordination of the body movements to be able to operate the sewing
machine. It takes practice to be able to maneuver any kind of sewing machine in order to create a good quality
product.

Go and Learn

Having a sewing machine at home is an advantage. It saves the person time to mend and alter garments. A
person who is an expert in using the sewing machine can already start customizing their clothes. Moreover, instead
of going to a tailor shop, he or she can do the basic hem at home without spending money. Sewing machines differ
according to their use or purpose. It is a must that you should first decide what garment you want to make, then
choose the right sewing machine that is appropriate for the task.

Kinds of Sewing Machine

Here are some of the most common kinds of sewing machine.

1. Domestic sewing machine is also called

as lockstitch sewing machine. Manual
sewing machine is operated by foot but can
be converted to electric power machine.
 2.Hi-speed lockstitch sewing machine has automatic lubrication. It can create 1,000 stitches per minute. It can also b
straight stitching machine or industrial sewing machine.

3. Serger machine is a small machine that is used for finishing the

edges of the cloth to avoid its unraveling. It is also known as over e

Parts of a Sewing Machine

Before using a sewing machine, you have to familiarize yourself with its different parts to be able to use it
correctly and efficiently.

1. Spool pin holds the spool of thread as well as controls the direction of the thread.
2. Thread guides hold the thread in position after passing it through the spool pin.
3. Tension disc is where the thread passes after the thread guide. It consists of two small discs.
4. Thread take-up lever has an up and down motion that helps in the movement of the thread toward the
needle.
5. Needle clamp/bar has a screw that holds the needle in place.
6. Feed dog has a set of teeth that is responsible for moving the cloth during the sewing process.
7. Presser foot holds the cloth in place when it is lowered.
8. Presser foot lifter is responsible for putting the presser foot up or down.
9. Stitch regulator controls the length of the stitches.
10. Bobbin winder is where the bobbin is winded.
11. Sliding plate is used to remove the bobbin case through sliding without lifting the machine, which is
rectangular in shape.
12. Bobbin case is located below the sliding plate that gets the top thread from the spool pin and creates a
lockstitch.
13. Balance wheel is also known as hand wheel. It is used to move the needle up and down manually
especially when dealing with thick cloths.
14. Clutch is located in the middle part of the balance wheel. When this is loosened, the sewing machine
will not work.
15. Foot pedal is where the feet rest during the sewing activity. The more pressure is operated, the faster it
sews.
 Lesson
Tools and Materials in Sewing
1
Learning Target

In the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the different tools and materials in sewing.

Exploration

Every profession has different needs and demands. For instance, a doctor cannot check his or her patients
without a stethoscope; a computer system analyst cannot work without a computer, and a teacher cannot work
without lesson plans.
Tools, materials, and equipment are vital for all professions. These aids the person to accomplish his or her
task. Learning how to sew involves knowing the right tools, materials, or equipment for the job. Acquiring knowledge
about this will surely make the person's work easier, faster, and definitely, an enjoyable experience.

Go and Learn

Tools are instruments used to create or repair something. In sewing, tools are categorized according to
their function. Familiarizing and using these tools correctly and effectively will ultimately lead to best results.
A. Measuring tools are used to accurately get the measurements.
1. Tape measure is a flexible tool that is used for taking body
measurements. The units of measurement used in tape measure is in
inches and centimeters.
Tip: Use only one tape measure from the beginning up to the
end of every project. Not all tape measures are identical. There is a
possibility that measurements will not be accurate if you replace one tape
measure with another in the middle of a project.
 2. Ruler is used to measure and make straight lines.

Tip: Even if both tape measure and ruler have centimeters and inches, do not interchange the use of these
two. An inch in ruler is divided into ten (10) parts, whereas an inch in tape measure is divided into eight (8) parts.

3. L-Square is similar with letter "L" that creates a perfect square. It is

used to transfer the measurements into the draft paper during pattern making.

4. French curve is used to create curve lines for

neckline, armhole, and crotch.

5. Sewing gauge is somewhat similar to a ruler but with a

sliding guide and is 6-inches long. It is used for small measurements
such as buttonholes, hemlines, and the like.
B. Cutting tools are used to remove excess or unnecessary fabric or pattern.
1. Dressmaker's shears has a length of 7-12 inches. This tool is used to cut fabrics. Heavy duty
dressmaker's shears is made for cutting thick fabrics.

2. Pinking shears is used to create a zigzag edge that is used for making creative edges or finishing seams
and raw edges. However, this is not used for straight cuts.

3. Thread clipper is a small pair of scissors, normally with a spring. It is used for snipping thread

4. Seam ripper is purposely created to rip off stitches due to alterations or errors.

5. Rotary cutter and mat is used to

cut fabrics. This is not used without a mat
because it will damage the cutting surface
and it will not be able to protect the blade.
C. Marking tools are materials used to draw guiding lines or points to secure accuracy.
1. Tailor's chalk is either hard or smooth. It can be used for fabric or
pattern paper. It does not pulverize unlike ordinary chalks.

2. Tracing paper is similar to a carbon paper. This paper has an ink

on one side that enables the paper pattern to transfer its marking to the fabric.

3. Tracing wheel is used to trace the markings from the paper

pattern to the fabric using a tracing paper. It creates dotted imprints on
the cloth.

D. Pinning tools are used to secure the cloth in place or to attach it to the pattern
perfectly
1. Pins are made from fine steels. They have a sharp point edge on one side
and a head on the other end. Pins come in different sizes, which are used to temporarily
hold or fold fabrics together.

2. Needles are somewhat similar to pins, but

instead of having a head, needles have an eye. These are used for hand stitches
such as basting or buttonhole stitch.
 3. Thimble is a protective, small pitted cup worn in a finger to push the
needle and to protect the finger during hand sewing.

4. Pincushion is made from cushion cloth. It holds both pins and needles
together when they are not in use. Securing these pins in a pincushion prevents
accidents.

5. Emery bag is almost similar to a pincushion although the filling is made

from fine sand because it removes rust and dullness from the needles and pins.

E Sewing materials are consumable things used in dressmaking to create sewn product
1. Fabric is used for creating garments.

Tip: Flour sack or catcha is very ideal for beginners in sewing.

2. Thread is used for assembling the garments together. It comes in different sizes. A thin fabric
requires a thin thread, whereas a thick fabric requires a thick thread.

Tip: Use the same color of thread with the fabric when doing permanent stitches and use a
contrasting color of thread with the fabric when basting to be able to easily remove it.