New
New
Year 6

Stitch an arpillera

I can use a variety of stitches to join and embellish fabric

New
New
Year 6

Stitch an arpillera

I can use a variety of stitches to join and embellish fabric

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. While stitches can be used to join textiles, they are also used in a skilled and decorative way through embroidery.
  2. Embroidery samples can be useful for an artist to remind them how to achieve a particular look or effect.
  3. An artist may begin sewing their arpillera by securing a knot at the end of their thread.
  4. To neatly secure the end of a thread, artists may pass it through previous stitches on the reverse side of their design.

Keywords

  • Embroidery - decorating fabric using a needle and thread

  • Samples - small pieces of fabric where you can practise different stitches or techniques

  • Arpillera - a fabric picture that tells a story using sewn pieces of cloth

Common misconception

Stitches are just used to join materials together.

Remind pupils that while stitches can be used to join materials together, they are also used in a skilled and decorative way through embroidery.


To help you plan your year 6 art and design lesson on: Stitch an arpillera, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

For this lesson, the number of example stitches should be adapted by the teacher to suit the needs of their class.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Thread, masking tape, needle threaders, embroidery thread, embroidery needles, card or fabric for samples, pencils, rubbers.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is an arpillera?
a painting that decorates a public space
a type of desert used to celebrate a special occasion
Correct answer: a fabric picture that tells a story using sewn pieces of cloth
Q2.
What is a template?
a random design
Correct answer: a shape or pattern to trace
a type of fabric
an art painting technique
Q3.
Textile artists use templates to ensure when creating shapes.
Correct Answer: accuracy, consistency, uniformity, precision
Q4.
Match the keyword to its definition.
Correct Answer:Appliqué,pieces of fabric sewn onto another

pieces of fabric sewn onto another

Correct Answer:Trace,to copy the shape or outline of something

to copy the shape or outline of something

Correct Answer:Template,a pattern used for cutting fabric

a pattern used for cutting fabric

Q5.
Why do textile artists use templates for appliqué?
because they can't draw the shapes themselves
Correct answer: to ensure the size and shape is accurate
To save time only.
Q6.
Order the steps taken when making a template.
1 - Trace each object or shape.
2 - Label the templates.
3 - Cut out the templates.
4 - Pin to the fabric.
5 - Cut around the templates (through the fabric).

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
An arpillera is ...
a type of patterned fabric.
Correct answer: a stitched picture of a scene.
a sewing tool used for embroidery.
Q2.
Stitches can be used for both joining and fabric.
Correct Answer: embroidering, decorating, embellishing
Q3.
Match the stitch to its use.
Correct Answer:Running stitch,Used for decoration and joining

Used for decoration and joining

Correct Answer:Whip stitch,Used for decoration and joining small shapes

Used for decoration and joining small shapes

Correct Answer:French knot,Creates texture

Creates texture

Q4.
Which tool helps thread a needle quickly?
Scissors
Correct answer: Needle threader
Ruler
Q5.
What is the purpose of creating stitch samples?
Correct answer: To practise different stitches
To throw away extra fabric
To decorate the classroom
Q6.
When finishing a piece of thread, you should it through previous stitches.
Correct Answer: loop