DT Sewing – Pearly Kings and Queens - Week 2-5

Bring your Design and Technology lessons to life with this engaging KS1 PowerPoint exploring the Pearly Kings and Queens of London and their traditional button-covered clothing. Perfect for introducing sewing, textiles, and design inspiration through a historical and cultural lens.

What’s Included:
Fully editable PowerPoint lesson with clear structure and teacher prompts
Learning Objective: To know the history behind the Pearly Kings and Queens attire
Key Vocabulary list for easy display or Showbie upload
Discussion and Debate prompt – “Sewing should only be done by girls?” to encourage oracy and challenge stereotypes
Input slides detailing the history of Henry Croft and the charitable origins of the Pearly tradition
Activity idea: Pupils design their own shirt inspired by the Pearly Kings and Queens, using buttons to create meaningful patterns
Plenary reflection to encourage evaluation and reasoning
Ideal for Showbie voice note integration and digital drawing tasks on iPads

Why Teachers Love It:
Cross-curricular links between DT, History, and PSHE
Supports vocabulary development and critical thinking
Encourages creativity, inclusivity, and cultural awareness
Perfect for schools using 1:1 iPads or digital learning platforms

This lesson is ideal for Year 1 or Year 2 DT units focusing on textiles, design, and cultural heritage