New
New
Year 1

Simple sewing techniques

I know how to do a running stitch.

New
New
Year 1

Simple sewing techniques

I know how to do a running stitch.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A running stitch is a good way to join fabric together.
  2. Weave fabric is a good material to practice a running stitch.
  3. When starting to sew, a needle has to be threaded.

Keywords

  • Sewing - to make stiches in fabric using a needle and thread

  • Stitches - a loop of thread made using a needle

  • Thread - a thin piece of string used to sew

  • Joining - ways to join two things together correctly

Common misconception

Children should use cotton to sew.

Using embroidery thread means that it is easier for smaller hands to use and it is also more resilient. It can be used with larger eyed needles too.


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

Using plastic thick needles, needle threaders, embroidery hoops will help the children to thread needles and sew. Using embroidery thread is again easier because it is thicker and easier to handle, alongside thick, rigid fabric with holes in to support initial sewing.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Hole punched card (card, single hole punch), laces, plastic needles, embroidery thread, thick fabric with holes in, scissors, embroidery hoops.

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

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4 Questions

Q1.
What does the word disassemble mean?
Correct answer: to take things apart to find out how they work
to put things together to find out how they work
to build things to find out how they work
Q2.
Which of these are made from fabrics?
chair legs
Correct answer: socks
fence
Correct answer: jumper
Q3.
Match these words to the correct meaning.
Correct Answer:manmade,materials that have been made by humans, such as plastic

materials that have been made by humans, such as plastic

Correct Answer:natural material,materials that come from natural sources, such as cotton or leather

materials that come from natural sources, such as cotton or leather

Correct Answer:fabric,a material used to make clothes, blankets, curtains, etc

a material used to make clothes, blankets, curtains, etc

Q4.
What does the word properties mean?
words to describe what a sound is like
Correct answer: words to describe what a material is like
words to describe what a food is like

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What type of stitch is this?
An image in a quiz
jumping stitch
Correct answer: running stitch
hopping stitch
walking stitch
Q2.
What do you need to sew?
Correct answer: sewing needle
scissors
Correct answer: thread
stapler
Q3.
What can you use to hold the start and end stitches in place?
glue
Correct answer: fabric tape
staples
Q4.
Match the keywords to the correct meaning.
Correct Answer:sewing,to make stitches in fabric using a needle and thread

to make stitches in fabric using a needle and thread

Correct Answer:stitches,a loop of thread made in fabric using a needle

a loop of thread made in fabric using a needle

Correct Answer:thread,a thin piece of string used to sew

a thin piece of string used to sew

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

ways to join two things together correctly

Additional material

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