Cutting, Patterns & Sewing

Introducing the Sewing Machine

Teaching good sewing habits is beyond the scope of this section and there are many great beginner sewing tutorials on the internet. If you have never used a sewing machine, pick one of the video tutorials and follow it until you are comfortable.

When introducing students to the sewing machine, show them where the presser foot is, where to put hands (with a warning about keeping fingers out of the way), and where the foot pedal is. Then, without thread (threading the machine comes next), give them a couple of the attached activity sheets and let them go for it!

When students are able to follow the lines on paper, teach them how to thread the machine and how to go from a straight stitch to a zigzag stitch, then let them start again on the paper guides.

With the sewing guide papers, students can self-assess and they are thrilled as they see improvement. We just cheer and offer encouragement. We do “just in time” teaching for all other sewing machine techniques — when a technique is needed in the context of an activity, we show them how.

Patchwork Fabric Activity

A great way to practice cutting and sewing in a low-stress activity is to make a piece of patchwork fabric. Patchwork is not just for Grandma’s quilts — it is very expressive and can have its own story.

Our goal is to make a whole piece of fabric that is about 14” × 14” that can be folded over into a pillow.

Materials:

• Fabric scraps (best to use fabrics similar in weight and type)
• Good scissors or rotary tool
• Measuring instrument
• Chalk or pencil
• Cardboard template (if using geometric patches)
• Sewing machine and thread
• Pillow stuffing

Two styles:

Crazy Patchwork — Pieces are cut in random sizes and shapes and arranged overlapping, with other pieces filling in gaps. Use a zigzag stitch to sew on top of the pieces, sewing on the edge of the fabric. You may need to trim pieces on the back.

Block Patchwork — Use a cardboard template to mark the fabric. 4” × 4” is a good square size. Arrange squares in the desired pattern. Put the right sides of 2 blocks together and sew with a ¼” seam. Add another pair to make a square of 4. Continue adding blocks. Always put the right sides together.

Cutting Tips

• Use scissors designated for cutting fabric only — otherwise they get dull and won’t cut smoothly
• Put the fabric on a flat surface and slide the bottom blade underneath
• Try to keep the bottom blade in contact with the table while cutting
• Open the scissors wide and move them forward after each cut
• Follow the outline and try not to let the scissors lean to either side

What Story Does Your Patchwork Tell?

Ask students to write or orally present the story of their patchwork piece. These prompts may help:

• Where did the fabric scraps come from? Is there a story there?
• What colors did you choose to use? What does your color choice say?
• What design did you put together for the fabric? Was it intentional or random?
• What was the most difficult part of making this patchwork fabric? Did your fabric cutting and sewing skills improve?