Fibre and Textiles

Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2

Making things is great for fine motor development and learning to sew is a skill for life! Kinder to year 2 can begin by making a gorgeous canvas bag. We used a strawberry design but the lesson plan can easily be adapted to any simple subject matter. Use acrylic paints, fabric medium and fabric crayons to create fun and colourful designs that are not only fun but useful too.

Weaving is another fun activity to Kinder to year 2. The God’s eye is a tradition from Mexico. It can be created on pop sticks or natural tree sticks if desired. Use coloured wools to create a pattern as you travel around the sticks weaving the gorgeous colours to create a God’s eye created by a Mexican tribe for protection.  Kids will learn about colour and pattern as well as develop their co-ordination and weaving skills. 

Sew a felt toy using felt and cotton thread. Kids can design their own creation and create the pattern needed to cut out the shapes. Use coloured felt and layer pieces to create an interesting design. Sew on buttons for eyes to complete a fun character.

Grade 3 and Grade 4

Be inspired by Australian Aborginal weaving and create a small woven basket. We use a small container, and cut it into an odd number of sections. Use some coloured wool to weave, creating a design using pattern and colour. Kids will learn the ‘over, under’ mantra to weave their own small unique basket.

Sew a sweet teddy bear from felt. This is a great project if you have a buddy class of younger kids but this age still loves a teddy too! Choose a fun colour for the bear and kids will learn how to use the included bear pattern.  We’ll draw the shapes, carefully cut them out, sew the edges and then stuff the bear with fibre fill. We’ll add buttons and a sew a mouth to complete. These lessons will develop fine motor skills in your kids, while developing their concentration to create a sweet, small teddy bear.

Grade 5 and Grade 6

Year 5-6 students can design their own T-shirt. A great graduation project or just for fun. Use a plain T-shirt or plillowcase and mask an area for the design. Create a design and colour scheme and make it with acrylic paint and fabric medium onto a plain T-shirt. Use layering and stencilling techniques to add interest and depth to the design. Lots of possibilities to expand on this technique for inspired kids to create. Budget friendly options included!

Become a shoe designer with our patterned sneaker project! Another fun way to explore fibre and textiles. Use the sneaker design sheet to try out ideas and create. Kids can choose an engaging theme such as a favourite food, sport or animal.  Use plain white sneakers for best results and apply fabric paint with textile medium or fabric paints to create a stunning design. Use paint pens to add details so kids can have fun showing off their creations!