Engaging Ways to Teach Sewing Pattern Symbols shows you how you can teach sewing pattern symbols in a variety of hands-on, engaging ways. Every class is different!  I’ve found, in my experience, that sometimes you need options for teaching as an activity that works well in one class may not work successfully in another. So check out the options below and choose one or more to try with your students when teaching about pattern symbols.

Set

• Show students an actual sewing pattern; hang if possible. Ask how many can identify what the symbols on a pattern mean? Answer will vary depending on the skill level and sewing experience of your students.
• If you wanted to make this more engaging, place students into a small group, give them an old pattern and an envelope of pattern symbol words (from the Buzz Relay game) and have them place the word cards beside each of the symbols shown on their actual pattern. NOTE: Thrift stores often have patterns super cheap that could be used for this activity.
• Circulate to see how they did and go from there!

Materials

• Glue Sticks (affiliated link)
• Laminated Cards for HeadBands Game
• Elastic Headbands for HeadBands Game to Hold Cards (affiliate link)
• iPads or Laptops if choosing to do the Quiz digitally
• Actual Sewing Patterns (affiliate link)

Option #1: Buzz Relay Games

• To introduce students to the sewing pattern symbols, choose one of the options to play with your students. There is a symbol vocabulary word version and a symbol image version. Either works well and can be used not only as an introductory activity to see what students know, but it can also be used as a review activity.  NOTE: You will need to cut apart the words or images ahead of time and place one set in a numbered envelope for each group.
• To play, divide students into small groups of 3-4 and assign them a number. Give each group ONE form to complete and one glue stick. One person at a time comes to a central location ( I used my desk) and finds the corresponding numbered envelope. The person selects one word or image out of in and takes it back to their group. The group must decide what the description/definition is for whatever they selected and then glue it into place. Once glued, the next person goes to the envelope, selects a word or image and returns to the group. This continues until all words or images are glued.
• When all groups are done, give each student their own blank copy of the form and have them fill in the correct word/image as we go over it to have as a study guide as there will be a QUIZ in the future on these symbols.
• As each group shares their answers, based on where they’ve glued them, they either mark it correct by drawing a star or an X if it was incorrect. At the end, we tally the scores to see which group did the best.
• This activity not only introduces students to the sewing pattern symbols, but it helps you to know what they know ahead of time to determine how much practice and reinforcement/application is needed moving forward.

Option #2: Match Game

• NOTE: You will need to print off and cut apart enough sets for the number of groups you have. If you plan to use these repeatedly, I’d recommend printing on cardstock and then laminating for durability.
• This match game can be assigned individually or in small groups as a review or reinforcement activity to help students learn the symbols and their meanings. I’d recommend small groups of 2-4 students. Give each group a set of shuffled cards. On your directive, have them sort into matches. As students get better, set a timer and see if they can complete the matches within a set period of time.
• Be sure to go over the correct matches to see how they did.

Option #3: HeadBand Game Cards

• NOTE: You will need to cut apart the game cards and have enough for each group playing. If you plan to use them again in other classes or in future classes, I’d recommend laminating to make them more durable. You will also need a timer, headbands, and tokens if playing by original game rules. There are other variations so it can be adapted to fit your needs.
• To practice and review the meaning of the sewing pattern symbols, play the HeadBand game. Break students into small groups and provide each group with a set of cards and an elastic headband. Play as a competition to see who knows their symbols!
• If you are in need of RULES to play this game, you can check out the actual HedBanz game rules which can be found in the attachments below.

Option #4: What Clue Am I?

• This review activity can be completed a couple of different ways so you will need to decide how you want to complete it.
• One way is to assign it as a worksheet. Ask students to fill in what they believe the answers to be without referring to their notes. Then have students refer to the notes to do a self-check to see how they did. This may help them gauge the symbols they need to study more.
• The second way is to make copies of the symbols/names (one symbol, one word or a card with both), cut them apart and lay them around the room. Students must circulate the room and write down the word or draw the image (your choose) that is being described in the clue.
• This can either be gone over in class as a group or collected for a grade…your call.

Option #5: Sewing Pattern Symbol Quiz

• Decide whether you will give this quiz digitally or paper/pencil style and if students must score a certain grade to continue on to laying out, cutting and constructing the project you are having them sew.
• Also, decide if you want to include the word bank or not especially if you need to differentiate.
• Collect the quizzes and grade. If you are requiring a certain score, determine if anyone needs to retake the quiz and schedule accordingly.

Attachments

• Buzz Relay: Pattern Word Symbol Vocabulary Game (PDF)
• Buzz Relay: Pattern Image Symbol Vocabulary Game (PDF)
• Sewing Pattern Symbols Match Game (PDF)
• HeadBand Game Cards (PDF)
• HedBanz Game Rules (PDF)
• What Symbol Am I? (PDF)
• Sewing Pattern Symbols Quiz WITH Word Bank (PDF)
• Sewing Pattern Symbols Quiz WITHOUT Word Bank (PDF)