Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Sewing Drawers: Part Two

I have always had a soft spot for sewing in the classroom.  I love the serenity such activity evokes and appreciate the fine motor and concentration skills it develops.  Last year, the children in my class were introduced to a set of Sewing Drawers which have since become very popular in our classroom.  When I first made the drawers, I never suspected we would have so much interest and so many eager sewers! In recent weeks, our class has seen an even bigger increase in sewing activities - what better time to introduce a second set of sewing drawers?

The next set of drawers is housed in identical three-sectioned bins.  The first drawer contains necessary materials to sew a button, the second drawer is for making a bracelet (with a button), and the last drawer is for making a small pillow.

Sewing Drawers:  The left side contains the first set of drawers; the right set contains the latest additions:

Top drawer:  Sewing a Button
The drawer contains one hoop with felt, extra felt pieces in the back, small box with buttons,  a needle, small scissors, and thread (wrapped around the clothespin).
Middle Drawer:  Making a Bracelet
This drawer contains strips of prepared felt (see below) for the bracelets,  various wooden buttons, a needle,  scissors, and thread.
I cut a small opening for a button hole toward the top of each strip...

…and placed a small dot with marker toward the bottom for button placement.
The materials are brought to a workspace on this tray.
And, here is the bracelet!
 
Bottom Drawer:  Making a Small Pillow
The drawer contains squares of fabric, a box of batting, and needle, scissors,  and thread.

Here is the small pillow my son made as I was setting up the classroom.
The children will be excited to see these new additions to their sewing options and I am looking forward to watching their skills expand.  Call me old fashioned, but knowing how to sew a button has got to one life's most practical skills and I am proud my students will have this knowledge! :-)

2 comments:

  1. I'm wondering about the procedure for the lengths of thread off the clothespin. Do you give them a length to unwind…say, the width of the drawer for instance…and they cut that? Count a certain number of twists off the clothespin?

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  2. Hi Heather, We usually just say, "an arm's length," of yarn. I appreciate how this simple step allows a child to estimate - they will quickly realize if they have taken to0 much or too little and will make this discovery on their own.

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