Sewing with 4th graders

The gist of most of my units is I teach students a skill and then allow them to play with this new skill for some time to develop some expertise. Then, for their final project they use the learned skill to create something personally meaningful to them. 

With sewing the students, especially some of the boys went into the unit "kicking and screaming"...well, not literally. The minute they saw that they could actually sew they relaxed and most actually have gone on to make second pillows. 



This student googled cat online and used one of the images to inspire his own cat form. 



some students have done sewing before

The boys were overheard saying, "this is so relaxing." Another said, "I know why my grandma likes this so much now." Yet, another said, "I could do this all day."



I do not focus on the stitching too much. Once the child is comfortable with sewing in general they can be taught to tighten up their stitches. 



The joy on this child's face when he realized he was about to finish 
the pillow he's been working on for 3 weeks. 


Some final products. 

3rd graders stuff their designed pillows and sew it shut

Children in 3rd grade have been LOVING sewing. So much that I think we might extend the learning into a more in-depth project that takes what they learned in their pillow-making into a new level. I could say with certainty that it has been an amazing experience for them to actually create a pillow.....from beginning to end. I will post pictures of some of the finished pillows later.

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3rd graders sew their African-inspired designed pillows today

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3rd grade sewing their pillows

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Our African Inspired Designs on our Pillow cases

African-inspired designed pillow cases (George /3rd grade)

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MORE Finished Pillows!!

Artists in the 3rd grade hold up their finished DC Landmark pillows!

3rd grade- Glued on our large shapes

3rd graders are on their way to finishing their DC Landmark pillows!! Yeah!! Each child had cut out their basic landmark shapes and glued them onto a cloth. All the cloth you see here has been donated by parents. So I have to take a minute and thank those parents who have brought in these amazing swatches....and the flatsheets too. We have cut up the flat sheets to be the background all the smaller pieces are glued to.

Here you see the capital (not yet finished).
Adams Morgan.....(not yet finished)
I'm not quite sure which landmark this is, but it is beautifully glued and very proportionate.

Parents, we will be sewing these pillows once all the pieces are glued on. Please contact me if you have any concerns. I will have each child have their own needles and will provide a thorough lesson on safety PRIOR to sewing.