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Lesson 6 of 9
  • Year 10

Machine stitching

I can create a thread drawing by using a sewing machine to draw with freehand stitching.

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View unit
Lesson 6 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Machine stitching

I can create a thread drawing by using a sewing machine to draw with freehand stitching.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Artists use sewing machines to draw with thread, creating expressive portraits by layering line, tone, and texture.
  2. Understand how to set up and control a sewing machine for freehand stitching, using the correct tool and techniques.
  3. Experiment with thread, colour, and layering to develop stitched, thread drawings in response to a project theme

Keywords

  • Freehand - a sewing machine attachment that lets you move the fabric freely to draw with thread

  • Sewing machine - a tool that stitches fabric together using thread

  • Thread - a long, thin strand of fibre used for sewing. It connects pieces of fabric together or can be used decoratively to draw or create texture.

Common misconception

You can only use a sewing machine for straight lines or joining fabric.

With a freehand arm, you can move the fabric in any direction to draw curves, lines, and patterns with thread. Artists use this to stitch portraits, text, and textures, guiding the fabric by hand like drawing with a pencil.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Machine stitching, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It is much easier to draw with a sewing machine if you have a freehand arm so it is worth investing in a few. Students who are not that confident with the sewing machine can put their base fabric into an embroidery hoop. This will create tension on the fabric and make it easier for them to control.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Sewing machine, freehand arm, white cotton, sowing cotton threads, pins paper, biro.

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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why do many artists choose to use batik in their work?

to copy digital prints
to speed up mass production
Correct answer: to honour and preserve traditional techniques and motifs
to avoid using any fabric dyes

Q2.
What effect does the batik dyeing process typically create?

pale, washed-out colours
Correct answer: rich, vibrant colours that can be layered and blended
a single flat colour
only black and white patterns

Q3.
What role does wax play in batik?

It adds fragrance to the fabric.
It stiffens the fabric to make it easier to dye.
Correct answer: It acts as a resist to block dye from certain areas.
It removes colour from dyed fabric.

Q4.
What does the term "resist" mean in batik?

a type of dye used only for cotton
a technique for softening fabric before painting
Correct answer: a method of blocking dye from certain areas of the fabric
a wax removal technique

Q5.
What is dye used for in the batik process?

to remove wax
Correct answer: to colour the fabric
to melt the resist
to stretch the fabric

Q6.
What must you do after dyeing in the batik process to complete your design properly?

Correct answer: Iron off the wax to reveal the design clearly.
Add more dye to make it darker.
Leave the wax on to give it a glossy finish.
Wash it with soap to remove the colour.

Additional material

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