Online International Handwork Teaching Conference

What if, instead of asking, “What should fifth grade be doing?” we asked, “What skills have these children developed, and what are they ready for next?” This conference explores hand sewing through the grades, with a focus on the vertical curriculum and the progression of skills that unfolds over time. Together, we will look at how sewing projects can be adapted, simplified, expanded, and reimagined to meet children where they are, regardless of their age, grade, or previous handwork experience.

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Rather than viewing the handwork curriculum as a fixed set of projects assigned to particular grades, we will explore how skills build upon one another and how teachers can use observation, flexibility, and creativity to find the right next step for the children before them. How can one project offer an accessible entry point for a beginner while providing depth and challenge for a more experienced student? How can we honor child development while also recognizing that children do not all arrive in our classrooms with the same experiences or abilities?

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These ideas are especially valuable for teachers working with mixed-age or combined classes in public, private, and homeschool settings. But in truth, every handwork classroom is a mixed-level classroom. Even when everyone is the same age or grade, children bring different skills, experiences, strengths, and challenges. Through the wonderfully adaptable art of hand sewing, we will explore ways to create a classroom where there is room for everyone to begin where they are and continue building from there.