One Thread at a Time
Activity
According to a study, seven out of 10 adults don’t know how to do basic tasks which include sewing on a button. In Scouting we teach Skills for Life and sewing is one of them.
Sewing has many benefits for one’s health and development whether you’re 4 or 40 years old. It lets you express yourself through your creations. For young people it can also improve hand eye coordination. Just like colouring, sewing can be soothing and therapeutic and it can be a positive way to manage stress and reduce anxiety.
Examples
Adaptations for Abilities
Easier
- Use Binca or hessian
Decorate a pre-made shape by feeding the colourful thread through the blanks to really bring their characters to life. Pre-punched holes make it easy for little hands to weave the plastic needle up and over to form the ‘cross’ and the pattern will soon emerge. Great for improving hand-eye co-ordination and can be themed to match a badge, eg garden creatures, space etc. - Sew a badge onto a large piece of material such as a camp blanket
Harder
- Use a sewing machine
- Make a small pillow for camp (rather than bringing the great big one off their bed)
- Sew a badge onto a smaller or trickier area, such as onto the sleeve of their uniform
- Repair a piece of equipment such as a tent
Badge Links
- Squirrels - All About Me Challenge Badge
- Squirrels – Get Creative Activity Badge
- Beaver – Campcraft Activity Badge
- Beaver – Creative Activity Badge
- Beaver – My Skills Challenge Badge
- Cub – Artist Activity Badge
- Cub Home Help Activity Badge (sew on a badge rather than a button)
- Cub – Our Skills Challenge Badge
- Scout – Skills Challenge Badge
- Scout – Craft Activity Badge
- Explorers Creative Arts Activity Badge
- Chief Scout's Platinum Award
Resources
- Chenille 24 needles are small and sharp, so they’ll go through fabric nice and easily. They also have a large eye for easy threading.
- Look at who has their badges sewn on well to their uniforms – this could indicate someone who has sewing skills who you could invite along to help – it might be a parent or guardian, it might be a grandparent.
- https://www.bakerross.co.uk/bug-colour-in-cross-stitch-kits
- https://www.bakerross.co.uk/square-cross-stitch-kits?
- https://www.bakerross.co.uk/star-wooden-cross-stitch-decoration-kits
- How to make a pillow cover out of one piece of fabric - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zobORt983AU
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