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      Finishing techniques for hand puppets

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can add applique details to my hand puppet.

      Key learning points

      1. Appliqué is a way to decorate fabric by adding other pieces of fabric.
      2. Appliqué can be added using stitching effects, glue or staples.
      3. There are different ways to join materials together, some are more effective than others.
      4. Finishing techniques are a way to add detail and features to hand puppets so that users can tell what the puppet is.

      Keywords

      • Material - what an object is made from

      • Appliqué - gluing or sewing fabric shapes or designs onto another fabric

      • Detail - a small feature that adds interest

      • Joining techniques - ways to join two things together correctly

      Common misconception

      Pupils need to follow their design idea and chosen materials.

      Please remind pupils that they can change their ideas and use alternative finishing techniques and joining techniques in their work. Designers are continuously reviewing and editing their designs to make sure that they meet the users' needs.

      Teacher tip

      Pupils may find sewing through multiple layers of felt quite hard, therefore encourage them to move away from sew lines and to use metal needles.

      Equipment

      Range of fabrics, different colours, textures, thicknesses (not too thick though), googly eyes, sequins, glitter glues, felt pens, final idea, scissors, joining techniques

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - equipment

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      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

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the words to their meanings.

      Correct Answer:seam,a row of stitches joining two pieces of fabric

      a row of stitches joining two pieces of fabric

      Correct Answer:mark out,making marks on something to show how it needs to go together

      making marks on something to show how it needs to go together

      Correct Answer:fray,to unravel or become worn at the edges

      to unravel or become worn at the edges

      Q2.
      To sew, what do you need?

      needle and pen
      Correct answer: needle and thread
      pen and paper

      Q3.
      What is a design specification for?

      It describes what a school has to do.
      It describes what a person has to do.
      Correct answer: It describes what a product has to do.

      Q4.
      How did you mark sewing holes in your fabric?

      Correct answer: using a pen on felt or fabric
      Correct answer: by drawing them on a template
      by putting tape on your felt

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Can you match the word to the right meaning.

      Correct Answer:material,what an object is made from

      what an object is made from

      Correct Answer:detail,adding little features to make something more interesting

      adding little features to make something more interesting

      Correct Answer:joining technique,ways to join two things together correctly

      ways to join two things together correctly

      Q2.
      Appliqué is where ...

      paper is joined to the design to make a picture.
      Correct answer: fabric is joined to the design to make a picture.
      paint is joined to the design to make a picture.

      Q3.
      Which of these would be good joining techniques to join materials to the hand puppet?

      screws
      Correct answer: PVA glue
      Correct answer: needle and thread
      paint
      glitter

      Q4.
      Can designers change their finishing techniques as they finish their hand puppets?

      Correct answer: yes
      no
      sometimes

      To help you plan your 1 design and technology lesson on: Finishing techniques for hand puppets, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...