Sewing and textile crafts
Late last year we wrote about a bunch of squishy coincidences- a Make My Bear workshop and Charlotte and Finn’s plush toy creations that they had both made at home. You can check out that fantastic blog post here!
Since then our resident resourceful Odysseus, Jules, who is very resourceful indeed, began gathering materials, teddy fluff and all sorts so that the children can begin making. Natalie was also able to source a number of sewing kits from Big-K.
Before we continue with that story, we must briefly mention and introduce our newest addition to our team of educators, MVPS science teacher extraordinaire, Maddy Morgan! We’re very pleased that you have joined us, Maddy! It turns out that Maddy is a professional plush toy sewerer upperer and has been regularly crafting with Jules and a bunch of very enthusiastic children!
Maddy has been writing down her observations and thoughts for this new crafty blog:
Students at MVPS OSHC have been embracing their creative side through sewing and have been designing their own teddy bears, handbags, squishmallows and toy accessories. Observing so many students from varying age groups challenge themselves with first designing and cutting out a template, tracing their design onto fabric, carefully cutting the fabric, sewing the edges and finally adding stuffing and seeing their designs come to life has been phenomenal. T.S. G.G. and others have proven age is no barrier when it comes to sewing. These reception boys completed the sewing, decorating and stuffing of their toys with great precision, accuracy and care. Middle and upper primary students such as F.B. C.B. and S.S. have developed sufficient sewing skills to independently design and construct toys, bags and accessories. These capable students have supported younger students as mentors, demonstrating safe and efficient sewing methods for the younger students to follow. It is wonderful to see older students being selective with colour coordination regarding their choice of material and thread. For example, M.M. wanted to highlight the contrast of black material against white thread, which featured her neat and precise sewing.
The Educators Guide to My Time Our Place says on page 33: “Children can engage in hours of uninterrupted play, based around their strengths, needs and interests. Latest research in neuroscience has identified this low-stress learning in a stimulating environment is the ideal setting for the brain’s neural pathways to grow.”
Here at MVPS OSHC, we have observed students’ meticulous designs and attention to detail in all their unique sewing creations. We have also seen great improvements in our students’ precision with cutting material, threading a needle and evenly spacing their ‘running’ and ‘blanket’ stitches.
The Framework for School Age Care in Australia says on page 33: “Educators knowledge of individuals and their interests, curiosities, cultures, strengths and capabilities will guide educators’ professional judgement to ensure all children and young people are engaging in a range of experiences across all the Outcomes in ways that optimise their wellbeing and capabilities. They are committed to equity, inclusion and have high expectations for every child regardless of their circumstances and capabilities.”
This is true of the staff and students in our OSHC service. The expectations set out for students is to achieve their best within their capability levels regardless of how their finished product looks.
Maddy
We’ve had great feedback from children and families so far, sewing crafts have really taken off!
One parent just had to go shopping to update their sewing kit and supplies so their son can work on his crafts at home! There are two particular students who are regularly working at OSHC and home and have produced a range of things including a creepy doll, a doll with the stitching on the inside, a bag, pillows, a double sided squishy, a felt bear, a teddy bear called Waffles, a monkey, a dog, an attempt at making Jemima from Play School, a bunny, and some repair work done to a bag that needed some attention!
Needleless to say, children are inspired! It’s wonderful to see the children gather around the craft table and work together so well. Many of them need guidance from an educator and are steadily building confidence. Others with confidence have been generous in helping those who need a hand.
We’ll keep stitching away and who knows, we might just see if we can learn to use a sewing machine..
Any thoughts or patterns? Please leave them in the comments section below!
