Before the lesson
Watch
- Teacher video: Cross-stitch and appliquéA type of textiles work where small pieces of cloth are sewn or stuck in a pattern onto a larger piece….
- Pupil video: Cross-stitch and appliqué
Have ready
- Link: ‘Etsy – Cross-stitch Snowman’
- Link: ‘Wikipedia – Appliqué’
- Scraps of fabricA natural or man-made woven or knitted material, that is made from plant fibres, animal fur or synthetic material…. (felt and other)
- Needles
- Threads
- Needle threaders (if available)
Learning objective
- To know how to sew cross-stitch and appliqué
National curriculum
Pupils should be taught to:
- Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks
Success criteria
- I can use cross stitch
- I know how to appliqué
- I can reflect on techniques used
Cross-curricular links
- Nothing relevant to this lesson
Attention grabber
Discuss the purpose of textiles. Textiles often balance functionality with pleasing aesthetics. For example, the items created in our Years 1 and 2 textiles topics had practical functions, but the overall designTo make, draw or write plans for something. was adapted to make it attractive.
The children will learn about appliquéA type of textiles work where small pieces of cloth are sewn or stuck in a pattern onto a larger piece…., which simply means ‘applied’. Appliqué was a patchA piece of material sewn over the top of a larger piece, sometimes just for decoration and sometimes to cover a hole in the underneath material…. used to cover a hole in a piece of material, but it is now often used purely as decoration.
Share these examples:
Link: ‘Etsy – Cross-stitch Snowman’
Link: ‘Wikipedia – Appliqué’
Main event
Demonstrate cross-stitch and applique. Show the children Pupil video: Cross-stitch and appliqué on your interactive whiteboard for further demonstration. You could leave the video running for the children to refer to as they work independently on the stitches (the video is looped so will play continuously).
Cross-stitch (15 minutes)
1. ThreadA thin string of cotton, wool or silk used when sewing. the needle (see ‘Year 2, Textiles: Pouches, Lesson 1’ for more information).
2. Decide which side is the bottom.
3. Starting from the bottom, press the needle through to the top, making a small stitch (0.5cm).
4. Press the needle back down to the underside.
5. Repeat steps three and four, this time the stitch will cross the last stitch at a right angle, making a cross.
This stitch is stronger than the running stitchA simple style of sewing in a straight line with no overlapping…. as it works in several directions.
AppliquéA type of textiles work where small pieces of cloth are sewn or stuck in a pattern onto a larger piece…. (15 minutes)
1. Neatly cut out a shapeThe form of an object. from one material and lay it on top of the other material (contrasting materials and colours work well).
2. Use cross-stitch or running stitch to sewTo join or fasten by stitches made using a needle and thread…. around the edge of the patchA piece of material sewn over the top of a larger piece, sometimes just for decoration and sometimes to cover a hole in the underneath material…. material – the stitches will reinforceTo make a structure or material stronger, especially by adding another material or element to it…. the shape cut so keep that in mind.
For pupils working at greater depth, encourage them to try reverse appliqué – putting the patch on the underside then sewing the edges as normal before cutting the top fabricA natural or man-made woven or knitted material, that is made from plant fibres, animal fur or synthetic material…. out (inside the stitches) to reveal the patch below.
Key questions
- What is this called?
- How do I thread it?
- What can I do if I have trouble?
- Which direction am I sewing in?
- What is the name of the stitch?
Differentiation
Pupils needing extra support: May need support threading the needle and knotting the threadA thin string of cotton, wool or silk used when sewing..
Pupils working at greater depth: Should ensure that their stitches support the shapeThe form of an object. of the patchA piece of material sewn over the top of a larger piece, sometimes just for decoration and sometimes to cover a hole in the underneath material…. and can try using reverse appliquéA type of textiles work where small pieces of cloth are sewn or stuck in a pattern onto a larger piece…. techniqueA way of doing something to complete a task..
Wrapping up
Ask the children to look at their experiments from the lesson, showcasing the more successful versions. Discuss useful tips and tricks learned today and record them on the board.
Explain to the children that in Lesson 2 they will be using these skills in a designTo make, draw or write plans for something. of their own.
Assessing pupils' progress and understanding
- Did children threadA thin string of cotton, wool or silk used when sewing. the needle independently?
- Did they knotA join made by tying two pieces of string or rope together. the thread independently?
- Are children able to sewTo join or fasten by stitches made using a needle and thread…. consistently sized stitches?
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: Their ability to use a cross-stitch to join two pieces of fabricA natural or man-made woven or knitted material, that is made from plant fibres, animal fur or synthetic material…. together.
Pupils working at greater depth indicated by: Their ability to use a neat and considered cross stitchA two-stitch style of sewing which forms a cross pattern. to join an appliquéA type of textiles work where small pieces of cloth are sewn or stuck in a pattern onto a larger piece…. patchA piece of material sewn over the top of a larger piece, sometimes just for decoration and sometimes to cover a hole in the underneath material…. to another fabric and attempt reverse appliqué.
Vocabulary
Applique
Cross-stitch
Design
Equipment
Fabric
Patch
Running stitch
Thread