Stitch sample lesson for beginners
This ready-to-use lesson resource is designed for teachers delivering introductory textiles and sewing skills. It provides a complete lesson PowerPoint that walks students step-by-step through essential skills, safety, and stitch techniques.
Covers the basics:
Health & safety routines in a textiles room
How to correctly thread a sewing machine
Key terminology (needle, thread, stitch types, etc.)
Understanding stitch length and width
Engaging and structured activities:
Mini-whiteboard starter questions to check prior knowledge
Clear step-by-step diagrams and guides for threading
Paired practical activity to build confidence using machines
Plenary recap questions to assess learning
Teacher-friendly design:
Straightforward slides with visual guides
Clear instructions for setting up a safe practical environment
Includes a stitch sample task (straight and zigzag stitch) to build foundation skills
Links to an ongoing project (bean bag construction)
This resource is ideal for KS3 Textiles / Design & Technology classes, especially for Year 7 beginners, but can also support cover lessons or refreshers for older students who are new to sewing.
By the end of the lesson sequence, students will have developed confidence using a sewing machine, learned key technical language, and produced basic stitch samples to apply in future projects.