Sewing for the season: Which winter textiles’ projects should your students try?

Christmas is just around the corner, so why not try a few winter textiles’ projects to get your class in the festive spirit?

Don’t worry if you’re stuck for ideas – we can help you out! Here are a few of our favourite winter textiles’ projects we think your students should try this year.

Why creating festive items is important at school

Creating winter-themed, festive items can really improve the classroom environment. Christmas puts almost everyone in a good mood. Winter textiles’ projects are also a great way to get your students’ imaginations flowing.

However, these projects aren’t just about giving your students a lift at the end of term. They can also teach them to work to deadlines and apply skills they’ve gained throughout the term.

These projects also give students a sense of purpose – after all, making things just for the sake of it can be a little boring. You just need to point them in the right direction and watch them create something wonderful.

3 winter textiles’ projects to try:

There are many winter textiles’ projects that your students can have fun with. Here are three of our favourites:

1. Christmas stockings

This simple project is great for beginners, and more advanced students can add a few embellishments using appliqué, embroidery and other methods from the curriculum.

To make these magical Christmas stockings, help your students choose two pieces of fabric – one for the outside, the other for the lining (something white and fluffy is usually a winner).

Ask your students to fold both sheets of fabric in half, then give them a stocking pattern to cut around. Once they’re done, there should be four pieces that match up.

Take the pieces made from the ‘outer’ fabric, and place them right-sides together. Your students can use a running stitch around the sides and the bottom.

Pro tip: Clip the curve of the stocking (at the front of the ankle) with little snips. This will help you turn without puckering.

Then, you need to do the same with your inner lining. This is where it gets a little complicated…

Turn your inner stocking right-side out, and your outer stocking inside out. Then, stuff the inner into the outer and pin around the top. Sew around it, leaving a 2-3 inch opening so you can turn it right-side out.

Smooth it all out and align the fabric on the opening so it’s folded inward, then sew the opening closed. Press well, then fill with pressies – simple!

2. Festive pillow cases

Create a pillow case as normal – chances are your students might have done this in the past. If not, and you want to focus on the ‘decorative’ side, use some pre-made cases instead.

Help your students dye the cases an appropriate colour and implement their designs. They could try:

• Ironing on transfers
• Fabric printing
• Appliqué
• Embroidery
• Batik

Then, all you have to do is stuff the pillow and sew the opening shut. Easy!

3. Reversible holiday placemats

This is one of the winter textiles’ projects that’s perfect for home and school Christmas dinners!

To make Christmas placemats, choose two fabulous festive fabrics. Cut the fabric into rectangles (18.5 inches by 14.5 inches). Then, add any decorative elements you want to include – just remember to leave room for the seams!

Cut one piece of sew-in interfacing to the same size. Place your two fabrics right-side together and place the interfacing on top of, or below, these two pieces. This will help stiffen the placemat later.

Pin all this together and sew, leaving an opening at the centre of the bottom edge of the placemat. Pull the fabric through the opening to make it right-side out, iron to smooth and you’re done. You could also top-stitch around the outside to make it a little more secure and add some decorative flair!

That’s it; three exciting winter textiles’ projects you could try with your class! Better still, give them some ideas and let their imaginations run wild – who knows what they’ll create?

Do you need a new sewing machine to pull off these winter textiles’ projects? Talk to our experts about your options.