Not only is sewing a great way to develop fine motor skills in young children, but it is also a lost art. Each year I have done a few sewing projects with the kindergarteners, including hand sewing squash and using a sewing machine to make reusable snack bags. This year, when Mr. Surber arrived at Laguna, I mentioned the kindergarten sewing activities to him. He suggested I take a look at a book called Sewing School, written by a teacher, Amie Petronis Plumlyey, with whom he worked at his previous school. I immediately ordered the book and was delighted by its contents. Inspired by what I read, I made it my goal is to complete at least four more hand sewing projects this year.

Today during Friday Fun, we took the first step in making Stuffies, a fancy name for stuffed animals. Each student received a piece of muslin, cut about the size of a piece of paper. My parent helper and I taped the muslin down to the desks to be sure the muslin didn’t move as the students drew their stuffies.

Students were encouraged to use fabric markers to draw an animal, real or fictional, of their choice.

After the students were done drawing, I cut around the shape and went over the markers with a hot iron.

Stuffie creations included a magical rainbow dog, a polka dot snake, an apple tree, a bat using echolocation to catch insects, two rainbows, a unicorn, and a heart.

Next week. students will add a piece of coordinating felt to the back of their stuffie and begin sewing. I can’t wait to see the finished products!