2. Primary: 'Skills For Life' by Textiles Skills Centre on cademy.io

Description

Primary 2: Skills for Life

(ONLINE ON-DEMAND COURSE)

What This Course Is About

This is Resource 2 in a series of textile resources created for primary teachers.

The aim of this introductory course is to give pupils their first experience of stitched textiles through a mix of fun, hands-on activities and creative learning. Pupils will explore how to stitch textiles, while also making links to everyday life, careers, and creativity.

The resource includes:

Practical activities (stitching, Suffolk puffs & Sashiko stitching, Textile tales)

Spotlights on artists, designers, and careers in textiles including Mr X Stitch

Cultural, cross curricular and sustainability links

Equipment needed and health & safety

Reflect and recall sheets, games and quizzes to consolidate knowledge

By the end of this course, pupils will have developed a basic understanding of stitches and the role they play in our lives, as well as enjoyed creative opportunities to practice stitches.

Resource Aims

To introduce pupils to “Skills for Life” in textiles and explore what it means in everyday and creative contexts.

• Understand and discuss the value of sewing as a life skill.

• Learn how to thread a needle, tie knots, and use pins safely.

• Practice key hand stitches including running, back, blanket, whip, and cross stitch.

• Explore seams and decorative stitching, while developing accuracy and creativity.

• Recognise the difference between hand and machine stitching.

• Apply good health and safety practice when using needles, pins, and scissors.

• Take part in activities linked to culture, using stitching in a creative and meaningful way

Practical Activities

Using needles, pins, knotting & finishing

Create your own Sashiko pattern

Suffolk puffs - collaborative artwork or blanket

Textiles Tales: To encourage creativity, imagination and collaboration, to allow children to use their senses to explore a range of fabrics and stitches.

Who is this course for?

This resource is designed for any primary school teacher who would like to introduce pupils to textiles. While it is not curriculum-specific, the activities can be used to support both the Art & Design and Design & Technology curriculum, with a clear focus on textiles.

Key Notes for Teachers

Practice first: It’s recommended that teachers try out the activities themselves before delivering them in class.

Flexible use: The resources are designed in a sequence, but you can dip into them in any order, depending on your pupils’ needs.

Timing: There are no strict time limits — teachers can choose to deliver a single activity, or take a resource through its full progression with a class.

Stage, not age: The resources are built on the principle of meeting pupils where they are in their learning journey. Teachers may wish to check pupils’ prior knowledge before starting.

What to Expect - the Resources

Resource Plan

Health & Safety - a H&S guide to textile equipment

Introduction to ‘Skills For Life’

Looking at stitches and home activity

Pins

Needles, knots, threading and finishing off

Running stitch

Japanese Sashiko & activity

Suffolk puffs

Back stitch

Blanket stitch

Whip stitch

Satin stitch

Cross stitch with Mr X Stitch

Attaching a button

Seams

Artists to inspire, with activities

Careers in hand stitching

Reflect & Recall

Textiles Skills Centre

Course Images

2. Primary: 'Skills For Life'

Booking options

Highlights