Sewing on Hessian~ Prep-Yr 1

I regularly incorporate a variety of art activities with Prep students (Foundation/Reception/first year of primary school) to explore and reinforce the use of primary colours. This particular project not only revisited primary colours but also focused on the elements of line and shape, while introducing students to basic sewing techniques using hessian (burlap).

I chose to do this activity later in the school year with the Prep classes, once I had a good understanding of the students’ capabilities. The timing can be adjusted depending on the needs and readiness of your cohort, but the activity should definitely be manageable for Year 1 students.

MATERIALS:

Hessian/burlap, cut into pieces approximately 15 x 20 cm

Plenty of masking tape (aim for at least one roll per 3 students) Optional: Pre-cut strips of masking tape stuck to the edges of tables for easy access

Acrylic paint in primary colours: red, blue, yellow.

Plastic needles

Yarn/wool in the primary colours

PROCESS:

Students begin by cutting and sticking masking tape onto the hessian. Encourage them to extend the tape slightly beyond the edges of the fabric. They can overlap, angle, and intersect pieces to create interesting lines and enclosed shapes. (See example: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7ldi_dxhaQ/)

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To prepare for the next lesson for the Preps, I pre-threaded the yarn onto plastic needles and knotted the ends.

I demonstrated how to poke the needle through from the back near the edge on one of the ‘lines’ created, once they peeled the masking tape off. I then taught students how to pinch the hessian to push the needle through the little hill and pull the yarn through gently all the way. (https://www.instagram.com/p/C7yp8zAPYYf/) They use each colour: red, blue and yellow once, repeating a colour if they have more ‘lines’ to fill.

They were finished off with a floss stick hot glued top and bottom, along with a yarn hanger.