Sewing Activities for the Classroom

Have students make a pin cushion with cloth, thread and stuffing

Sewing uses some type of thread to fasten two or more items together or to add decorative stitching. People sewed for thousands of years without a sewing machine. While sewing machines make sewing easier, basic sewing requires an idea, material, thread and, usually, a needle. Sewing activities help students learn the basics of sewing, basic sewing supplies and what the sewing machine is all about.

Punch Hole Sewing

For preschool students, punch holes in a card with a picture illustrating the lesson. Punch holes around the picture and give the children colored shoe laces, which have finished ends so needles are not needed. The children sew around the picture, weaving the shoe lace in and out of the punched holes to sew a frame around the picture. Punch holes around different aspects of a picture such as around a horse or barn. The children can use different colored yarn or laces to sew the picture.

Basic Supplies

Students fourth grade and above can make a sewing case. They might choose a shoe or other cardboard box, or a plain plastic container they cover or otherwise decorate for a sewing box. Tackle boxes also make good sewing cases. Students can use markers, paint, stickers and their imaginations to turn their boxes into sewing cases. Add text such as "Jan's Sewing Case," or, if for someone else, "Mom's Sewing Box." Have students list what they think goes into a sewing case and why. They'll need scissors for cutting material, straight pins for holding material together, a tape measure to measure material before cutting, thread and needles for sewing, a thimble to protect the finger pushing through the needle and a seam ripper to rip out seams that aren't right.

To quiz the students on their understanding of the supplies, on one side of a page list basic supplies. One the other, in no particular order, their uses. Have students connect supplies on one side to their uses on the other.

The Machine

With instruction, using a basic sewing machine is both safe and uncomplicated for fifth grade students and older. Point out the different parts of the sewing machine. Give students a picture of a sewing machine and ask them to find and label key parts such as the bobbin, feed dog, hand wheel, needle, presser foot, tension control and throat plate. Once the students learn the parts of the sewing machine, teach them to thread and use the machine. Have them learn about tension by sewing on different types of material from cotton and felt to velvet and polyester.

Stuff It

Let students fifth grade or older choose from different material color and patterns. Have them cut two five-inch squares, place right sides together and sew three sides. The fourth open side allows them to add stuffing. Finish the fourth seam and the students in your classroom now have a pin cushion for their sewing boxes.

Using the same technique, cut much larger squares to make a pillow. With a few alterations to the above method, students can make a toy for a child. Have them draw or use a simple template of an animal, cut it out, then sew it, leaving an opening for fiberfill stuffing. Stuff and sew closed. Add features with markers or fabric paint. Finish with a ribbon bow around the neck. Let the students place the toys they make into a basket and go with the them to present the toys to children at a homeless shelter.

References

• Bunkhouse Sewing Books & Patterns: Puzzles
• Utah State University: Basic Sewing Supplies
• All Crafts: Fiberfill Bear