Setting Up a Kids' Embroidery Class - and Thread Organizers
As I prepared for my first kids' embroidery class for this summer, I realized that organization really IS everything. Whenever you teach a class - or prepare a new embroidery project - or cook a recipe - or anything that requires multiple parts to come together smoothly and conveniently, preparing in advance is essential. Any good school teacher knows this. Even if you're running a casual summer embroidery class, the rule holds true. I found that out this morning!
My preparation for my summer embroidery classes began weeks ago, as you know. I've talked a lot about it (I hope I'm not boring you to death!), and I've done a lot of thinking, stitching, writing notes, ordering materials and all the stuff that goes with getting ready to get ready. And that's just it - that was just the background work. Then the real work comes!
As the first class date approached, it was time to actually put everything together for a smooth beginning. So this is what I was looking at this past weekend:
I spent a couple days cutting fabric, separating threads, and putting together each "kit" project for the first class of the first week (I have three kids' classes I'm doing this summer - this is only one of them!) for the first group (ages 7 - 9 years old).
Yeah. The front view wasn't so bad - it's the side view across the room that becomes a bit discouraging!
But no worries!! All the background work is absolutely worth it. After the felt, threads, needles, and everything were sorted, pieces cut, designs drawn, everything was cleaned up and put away, the floor swept, and each child's place set up.
When the children came in this morning, they were met with this:
Nine chairs for nine children - each place with a sampler cloth and a bookmark kit.
Here you have the "place setting."
To the top right, the blue square is a piece of 3 mm. craft foam, cut in a small rectangle. This has one threaded needle stuck in it, ready to go.
The red square to the top left of each place setting is also 3 mm thick craft foam. I used a single hole punch, and punched out about a 6-hole hole. In that hole, I looped their sampler threads. You may be familiar with thread rings, thread keeps, and so forth. Well, this is thread foam. I made it up, but it does work! I wanted some way to keep their threads more organized than just stuffing them in a plastic bag, so, modeling the foam on the idea of thread cards and thread keeps, I tried it, and I liked it! More on this concept, up close down below.
Above the place setting is the bookmark kit, ready to go. It contains the felt front, with the design drawn on, the felt backing already cut with the scalloped edge, a needle, and coordinating threads.
The sampler is a piece of medium weight (clothes quality) linen (I picked up 5 yards on sale for practically nothing!), with a butterfly outlined on it, and the butterfly has lines across the wings. I'll give you specifics on these little practice pieces when I have some finished ones to photograph! As they are here, they're rather plain.
And finally, just to go back to my thread foam a bit... this is a great way to keep thread ready for class use. After punching the holes in the foam, I folded the collection of threads in half and stuck the half fold in the hole, forming a loop. Then I put the ends of the thread "rope" through the loop and hitched it to the foam.
You might think that every time you want a thread off such an apparatus, you have to undo the loop, but not so!
You simply select the thread you want from the front of the looped threads, and pull it straight out. You don't have to undo your loop - you just pull it out, and there it is!
I know it's a simple concept, but I'll tell you why it thrills me. I've lost more money on threads over the years, because kids tend to stuff them in bags or just put them in their sewing box, where they automatically mix up, generally into a knotted mess. This way, I have quantity control over the threads, and the kids are more careful with them, too.
Using the craft foam to make these thread keeps was a last minute idea. Craft foam can be puchased at any craft store for about 79 cents a sheet. The sheet can be cut into multiple small rectangles - and it's much sturdier than regular poster board or card stock for holding threads this way. I had a bunch of the foam on hand, because I'm using it as paper-piercing mats (for embroidered cards) with the older class. While I was setting up the place settings, I mused over how to solve my thread dilemma - and the idea of the foam popped into my head. I had so much fun setting these little things up, and I really think the kids like them, too!
So there's a cheap way to organize threads for a project. I haven't tested the colorfast qualities of craft foam, nor do I know the long term effect it might have on threads, but for this short term use, it seems like a great idea.
So that's the set up for classes. The first day, the kids learn three stitches: running stitch, whipped running stitch, and backstitch. They practice all three on their butterflies, and then they apply what they learn to their bookmarks.
The two hour session today went really well, and I think that goes back to organization. The kids made good progress. Alas, I took no photos! Next week, next week.... Now, if I could only get the next classes that ready, I'll be really happy!
If you've got any nifty organizational ideas or anything that you think would be useful to know in classroom situations, please share! I'm all ears!
See you tomorrow!
My preparation for my summer embroidery classes began weeks ago, as you know. I've talked a lot about it (I hope I'm not boring you to death!), and I've done a lot of thinking, stitching, writing notes, ordering materials and all the stuff that goes with getting ready to get ready. And that's just it - that was just the background work. Then the real work comes!
As the first class date approached, it was time to actually put everything together for a smooth beginning. So this is what I was looking at this past weekend:
I spent a couple days cutting fabric, separating threads, and putting together each "kit" project for the first class of the first week (I have three kids' classes I'm doing this summer - this is only one of them!) for the first group (ages 7 - 9 years old).
Yeah. The front view wasn't so bad - it's the side view across the room that becomes a bit discouraging!
But no worries!! All the background work is absolutely worth it. After the felt, threads, needles, and everything were sorted, pieces cut, designs drawn, everything was cleaned up and put away, the floor swept, and each child's place set up.
When the children came in this morning, they were met with this:
Nine chairs for nine children - each place with a sampler cloth and a bookmark kit.
Here you have the "place setting."
To the top right, the blue square is a piece of 3 mm. craft foam, cut in a small rectangle. This has one threaded needle stuck in it, ready to go.
The red square to the top left of each place setting is also 3 mm thick craft foam. I used a single hole punch, and punched out about a 6-hole hole. In that hole, I looped their sampler threads. You may be familiar with thread rings, thread keeps, and so forth. Well, this is thread foam. I made it up, but it does work! I wanted some way to keep their threads more organized than just stuffing them in a plastic bag, so, modeling the foam on the idea of thread cards and thread keeps, I tried it, and I liked it! More on this concept, up close down below.
Above the place setting is the bookmark kit, ready to go. It contains the felt front, with the design drawn on, the felt backing already cut with the scalloped edge, a needle, and coordinating threads.
The sampler is a piece of medium weight (clothes quality) linen (I picked up 5 yards on sale for practically nothing!), with a butterfly outlined on it, and the butterfly has lines across the wings. I'll give you specifics on these little practice pieces when I have some finished ones to photograph! As they are here, they're rather plain.
And finally, just to go back to my thread foam a bit... this is a great way to keep thread ready for class use. After punching the holes in the foam, I folded the collection of threads in half and stuck the half fold in the hole, forming a loop. Then I put the ends of the thread "rope" through the loop and hitched it to the foam.
You might think that every time you want a thread off such an apparatus, you have to undo the loop, but not so!
You simply select the thread you want from the front of the looped threads, and pull it straight out. You don't have to undo your loop - you just pull it out, and there it is!
I know it's a simple concept, but I'll tell you why it thrills me. I've lost more money on threads over the years, because kids tend to stuff them in bags or just put them in their sewing box, where they automatically mix up, generally into a knotted mess. This way, I have quantity control over the threads, and the kids are more careful with them, too.
Using the craft foam to make these thread keeps was a last minute idea. Craft foam can be puchased at any craft store for about 79 cents a sheet. The sheet can be cut into multiple small rectangles - and it's much sturdier than regular poster board or card stock for holding threads this way. I had a bunch of the foam on hand, because I'm using it as paper-piercing mats (for embroidered cards) with the older class. While I was setting up the place settings, I mused over how to solve my thread dilemma - and the idea of the foam popped into my head. I had so much fun setting these little things up, and I really think the kids like them, too!
So there's a cheap way to organize threads for a project. I haven't tested the colorfast qualities of craft foam, nor do I know the long term effect it might have on threads, but for this short term use, it seems like a great idea.
So that's the set up for classes. The first day, the kids learn three stitches: running stitch, whipped running stitch, and backstitch. They practice all three on their butterflies, and then they apply what they learn to their bookmarks.
The two hour session today went really well, and I think that goes back to organization. The kids made good progress. Alas, I took no photos! Next week, next week.... Now, if I could only get the next classes that ready, I'll be really happy!
If you've got any nifty organizational ideas or anything that you think would be useful to know in classroom situations, please share! I'm all ears!
See you tomorrow!
Labels: beginner embroidery, embroidery for children, embroidery tips and tricks, hobby room, needlework pictures, organization, pictures
Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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9 Comments:
This is BRILLIANT! Thank you so much for sharing. I love seeing how you've organized things - you're clearly going off loads of experience and thoughtfulness. I'm teaching an adult embroidery class next week, and this gives me some ideas on prep work.
One thing we've done in the past is use a block magnet for holding threaded needles. We teach separating the floss right at the beginning of class, and the students prep a needle for each color and stick them on the magnet. It's a similar idea to the foam, except they lay down instead of standing up. :)
Thank you!
Thanks, Average Jane! (I doubt you're "average"!) The magnets are a really good idea! And they would certainly have more weight to them than the craft foam!
The kids take home the red craft foam (the thread foam), but they leave the little blue square for the next class. In their bookmark "kit," I included a small square of felt to stick their needles in for carrying.
It's a good thing to teach stripping the floss right at the beginning. The little ones aren't ready for that yet - we're using perle cotton for the first 2/3 of the course, then we'll venture into a leeeetle bit of regular stranded cotton for the last project.
Thanks again for your input, and for the great magnet idea!
Where do you get your magnets, by the way??
Thanks, Mary! :)
Yes, the floss separation is only because it's an adult class. When I've done embroidery with my daughter and her friends, we never mess with that. (speaking of, do you have tips on helping the kiddos keep the floss on the needle? Some get the thumb/finger pinch right from the start, and other pull the needle right off on every other stitch! ;)
If you Google "ceramic block magnets" you can click on the shopping results and see what they are. I usually get them at the home improvement store, and they are useful for all kinds of stuff. They are super heavy duty!
Mary,
You are absolutely to be congratulated, and held on a small pedastal for your organization, and for holding these classes!
It all looked just wonderful. I bet the kids had a great time!
Thanks, Jane, for the magnet tip. I'll look those up!
The floss on the needle problem is funny. I was just noticing it today - you forget that it's just not second nature to hold the thread: kids tend to hold only the middle of the needle! Anyway, I try to show how to pinch the thread at the back of the needle - and you're right, some get it right away, and others don't. I tend to think that those who get it right away are "naturals" with a needle, and it does seem as if they are. Their stitching is less awkward!
What a great space you've created there, Mary! Each place set looks like an inviting and exciting spot to sit and learn!
Thanks for the tip on how to draw one thread out of a looped bunch. Honestly, that never would have occurred to me!
Best of luck with the class, I'll bet it's going to be great! - Jeannine
Mary, thanks for the idea of using craft foam sheets for thread holders. May I borrow it for an upcoming Winter workshop at NSW Embroiderers' Guild? We have bundled threads before but not through a punched hole, that looks brilliant. I wish I could get my threads sorted at my regular monthly meeting, the tin is affectionately known as the "birds nest" as it contains skeins of stranded threads which the kids prefer to use over pearls. We taught thread seperation early on, and everyone manages quite well. As for holding the needle to prevent threads pulling out, most get it after 2 or 3 lessons. I think it has a lot to do with the background fabrics too, we stitch on cotton patchworking fabrics, canvas and wool felt. I try to use size 7 or 8 crewel needles or smaller, to avoid frequent calls for re-threading.
Thanks for a very informative post,
Hooroo,
Christine in wintry Sydney
http://missmuffettwo.blogspot.com/
Hi, Christine! Yes, do use the idea! It's been working great so far! And I think it works better than card stock or poster board type paper!
Once again, Mary, another page full of fabulous ideas! I am teaching a little embroidery class this summer, just four one-hour sessions, to 10-12 year old girls at our local library. I am looking forward to putting some of your ideas to work. Thanks for sharing them!
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