Westview Elementary

This lesson served to develop the foundational skills for sewing and weaving that would be built upon in subsequent grade levels. Using the pipe cleaners in place of a needle and thread, students practiced stitching their letters onto a piece of fabric.  Since the students were “sewing” the first letter of their name, we explored the significance of names through several children's books including Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal, Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Tompkins-Bigelow, and The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi.

In this lesson, 2nd and 3rd grade learned to embroider using plastic tapestry needles and yarn. They translated original drawings into works of embroidery, having to problem-solve and experiment along the way as they navigated this new medium. Students practiced their self-sufficiency and organization with the responsibilities of retrieving and storing their materials for the project. Students learned to measure and cut the appropriate length of yarn, thread their needle, and tie off their ends in a knot. Using running stitch, cross stitch, and straight stitch, they created lovely hanging tapestries with their unique designs. 

This lesson was the culmination of all the sewing knowledge that 4th and 5th graders have gathered from their previous fiber arts lessons. Students created an original design for an ugly doll, translated this design into a sewing pattern, and constructed their doll using a needle and thread. Students used running stitch and whip stitch to attach details to their designs and sew the panels of their dolls together. As we worked, students had to practice safe handling of materials and use their organizational skills to keep track of their needle, pins, and fabric.