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Original poster

Needlework woes

14 replies

SpottyHamster · 04/12/2007 13:09

How much help should I give DS2 (age 11) to complete his sewing project? He is completely hopeless at it and gets in such a muddle (all thumbs). He has already been kept in for being too slow, and has a lot more to do on it at home. Wondering if I should just do the flipping thing for him but feel a bit guilty, any thoughts?

OP posts:
mumblechum · 04/12/2007 13:28

I ended up helping ds with his prototype cushion which for some unknown reason has to look like an apple pie.

Spent ages doing it, putting on sequins for sugar etc and got a c-.

Why can't they teach them something useful like sewing a button on or hemming their trousers????

D&T total f in g waste of time imo.

Grrrrrr.

branflake81 · 04/12/2007 14:20

God, that brings back memories. I was HOPELESS at sewing/arts/crafts (couldn't even thread the blimming needle). I used to loathe all arty type lessons (a pity, since most of primary school seemed to be made up of it). No advice I'm afraid, just sympathy!

Original poster
SpottyHamster · 04/12/2007 14:36

Gosh Mumblechum, DS2s is also a cushion, square though. Told last night it requires stuffing for next week, this means a trip across town to the only store to stock such items (why wasn't this on the original equipment list?)Sigh......

OP posts:
mumblechum · 04/12/2007 18:10

I just destuffed one of the many crap cushions sitting in the cellar waiting to be taken to the dump.

ahundredtimes · 04/12/2007 18:13

Oh god yes, help. I hated needlework, and was very bad at it and had an ongoing thing with my needlework teacher - and when my mother stepped in and said 'Right, we're going to do this' it was fantastic.

She couldn't sew either though, but I was grateful all the same.

Hallgerda · 04/12/2007 21:54

I'm another complete needlework failure. It took me a whole term to achieve a satisfactory bound buttonhole. Fortunately DS1's school doesn't do it (though it would be quite nice if he could do his own name tapes ...)

Hallgerda · 04/12/2007 21:55

In answer to your question, mumblechum, I'd see no moral objection to doing it for him, but I'd probably lack the necessary skill.

Hallgerda · 05/12/2007 08:31

Whoops, sorry - it was SpottyHamster's question.

fizzbuzz · 06/12/2007 10:12

Well, I teach DT textiles, and hemming trousers is not really in the Programme of Study!!!

The idea is they design and make something. To maintain their interest it has to be something interesting, and hemming trousers is just not very interesting! However it is perhaps more interesting than a lesson on polyester in which I and pupils lose the will to live. Nor can I subscribe to the fact that dt is a waste of time as we have to produce designers in this country to enable people to wear clothes, sit on chairs/furniture, design ipods, buy packets of cornflakes etc.

Don't do it for him, but show him shortcuts if you can...You can always tell when the parents have done it.........

Original poster
SpottyHamster · 06/12/2007 12:01

Thanks for all your replies, it is now almost finished (a joint effort!) In reply to Fizzbuzz, DT is deff not a waste of time ,my DB did it & got a v good job. In DS school, DT is separate subject from textiles, which is grouped with HE (cookery). Textiles might be a bit wasted on DS2 tho as he cannot use needle properly, mind you he can barely master the pen or the knife and fork!

OP posts:
fizzbuzz · 06/12/2007 12:10

Are you sure it's not dt textiles and dt food?They should all be dt these days.....

As for needles...well I have plenty of Y11's still struggling to use them sometimes....and as for tying a knot...
(although they manage to tie plenty of unintentional ones)

DITDOT · 06/12/2007 15:41

I am a DT teacher and I agree with Fizzbuzz. We rely on parents having a positive attitude towards the subject but unfortunately this obviously isn't always the case. The curriculum is about having a well rounded breadth of knowledge and DT Food and Textiles is part of it.

The majority of students love it regardless of whether they struggle or not.

Teachers recognise work not done by the student and will award levels accordingly. We are not easily fooled!!! Although the students do have a sneaky try to pass it of as their own!!

fizzbuzz · 06/12/2007 15:49

I have had students try to pass off an item of bought clothing as their own (with the label carefully unpicked, leaving all the stitch marks ), and obviously made on an industrial machine...

They must think we were born yeterday....

What areas do you teach DITDOT?

DITDOT · 07/12/2007 11:05

DT: Food and Textiles. Also child dev.

The other students grass on each other and tell me who has had their parents or relatives do the work!! It's great watching them try to justify it as their own.

Had a GCSE student bring in an A* dress despite what she had done in class being a C. Told me she had lost hers and had to make a new improved one!!!!

You have to admire their nerve!!

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