Terrific Textilers at Claygate Primary School

At Claygate Primary School, we believe in giving our children the tools to be creative and resourceful, and our Terrific Textilers programme is an exciting part of this journey. As part of our Enrichment Programme, Terrific Textilers offers students the opportunity to dive into the world of textiles, learning the art of design and sewing through hands-on projects. This experience not only supports their understanding of the Design and Technology curriculum but also fosters creativity, problem-solving, and a sense of pride in their creations.

What is Terrific Textilers?

Throughout the Terrific Textilers programme, children explore a range of textile techniques to design and create practical items for everyday use. They will learn how to select and work with different materials, consider the purpose of their designs, and reflect on their work to improve and innovate. Through this process, they develop both technical skills and design thinking while nurturing their creativity.

By the end of each project, children have the chance to evaluate their creations—reflecting on what went well, what could be improved, and how they might approach a similar task in the future. This cycle of designing, making, and evaluating encourages resilience, patience, and the development of a growth mindset.

What Your Child Will Learn

In Key Stage 1, children begin by building essential skills through simple, yet effective techniques:

• Cutting, gluing, stapling, and pinning: Basic skills that form the foundation of all their future textile work.
• Running stitch: The first stitch they will master, allowing them to join fabrics together and create their own products.
• Designing and making: Children will select materials, consider their purpose, and begin to understand how to make their designs functional and creative.

As children progress through Key Stage 2, the level of complexity increases, giving them more opportunities to explore and refine their skills:

• Cross stitch and appliqué: New techniques that offer a chance to explore more intricate designs and add personal flair to their creations.
• Exploring fastenings: Understanding and applying a range of fastenings, such as buttons, zippers, and hooks, to bring their designs to life.
• Independent design choices: As children develop their skills, they gain more freedom to make independent design decisions, selecting the materials and techniques that best suit their vision.

The Benefits of Terrific Textilers

The Terrific Textilers programme is not just about learning to sew—it’s about giving children the skills and confidence to express themselves creatively while solving real-world problems. Here are just some of the benefits:

• Creativity and self-expression: Children get to express their ideas, develop their unique style, and bring their imagination to life.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking: Designing functional products and evaluating their work encourages children to think critically and refine their ideas.
• Practical life skills: Sewing is a valuable life skill that builds patience, attention to detail, and perseverance.
• Confidence and pride: Children gain a real sense of accomplishment from creating something with their own hands, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
• Cross-curricular learning: Through design, mathematics (measuring), and evaluation, children apply learning from across the curriculum in a fun, hands-on way.