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Year 3

Fabric joining and cutting techniques

I can explain how to thread a needle and sew a run of stitches.

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New
New
Year 3

Fabric joining and cutting techniques

I can explain how to thread a needle and sew a run of stitches.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are different types of stitches called back stitch and blanket stitch.
  2. Folding thread in half helps to thread the needle.
  3. Beginning a run of stitches can be secured by repeating a stitch.
  4. Ending a run of stitches can be secured by repeating a stitch.

Keywords

  • Thread (noun) - a thin piece of string used to sew

  • Thread (verb) - pass through a small hole

  • Blanket stitch - a decorative edging stitch

  • Back stitch - a reverse stitch creating a solid line

  • Run - a completed line of stitches

Common misconception

Sewing consists of one type of stitch whereby the thread is passed in and out of the fabric.

There are different types of stitches, which require different movements of the needle and thread.


To help you plan your year 3 design and technology lesson on: Fabric joining and cutting techniques, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils may be instructed to knot the thread if they have sewing experience and they have been previously taught to do so.
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equipment-required

Equipment

Please see additional materials document for a list of equipment and resources needed for this lesson.

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Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is a way to join fabric?
cooking
sawing
Correct answer: sewing
drawing
Q2.
Which tool would you use for sewing?
a stapler
a saw
a ruler
a paintbrush
Correct answer: a needle
Q3.
Which of these is made from fabric?
peg
iron
Correct answer: coat
kitchen roll
Q4.
Why should needles be carried around in a box or pouch?
they are expensive
they are small
Correct answer: they are sharp
they are shiny
Q5.
What job does this object do?
An image in a quiz
stores the thread
stores the needles
measures the stitches
Correct answer: protects the finger
Q6.
Which of these fabrics comes from a plant?
wool
Correct answer: cotton
leather
silk

6 Questions

Q1.
What is this part of a needle called?
An image in a quiz
mouth
arm
Correct answer: eye
point
Q2.
Sewing is a method of __________ fabric.
cleaning
cutting
measuring
Correct answer: joining
Q3.
What do we call a completed row of stitching?
Correct answer: a run
a walk
a line
a thread
Q4.
Which of these describes a back stitch?
vertical stitches and loops
Correct answer: a solid line made by reversing a stitch
a continuous run of stitches with gaps
a decorative stitch
Q5.
Which of these is a blanket stitch?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
Order these steps to sew a run of stitches.
1 - thread the needle
2 - secure the thread to the fabric
3 - repeat a series of stitches
4 - secure the leftover thread
5 - trim to neaten

Additional material

Download additional material