FACS Lesson Plan: Easy and Budget-Friendly Ugly Christmas Sweater Sewing Project
The holidays may or may not be just around the corner, but what better way to celebrate than with an ugly Christmas sweater sewing project? Ugly Christmas sweaters have become a popular tradition during the holiday season, and creating your own unique design is a fun and creative way to get into the festive spirit with this fun FACS lesson plan.
The inspiration came from our own teacher’s ugly Christmas sweater theme day. A high school student was wearing an “Ugly Christmas” sweater her grandma made using crochet doilies to make a snowman. I’m fairly certain her Grandma didn’t make it to be ugly, but it worked perfectly as the times have changed.
Getting started
To start your project, you will need a few basic supplies. First, you will need a sweater to decorate. Look for a plain sweater in a solid color, such as red or green if going for a Christmas theme. You can find these at most thrift stores or online retailers. If your student isn’t planning for a Christmas theme, any color shirt will do.
Next, you will need some holiday-themed decorations such as pom-poms, ribbons, bows, and Christmas-themed buttons. You can also purchase iron-on patches or fabric paint to create your own designs. These are also fabulous donation request items. There always happens to be someone who has a sewing stash with hardly used items.
The project takes it up a notch by allowing students to practice hand sewing. There are endless options for this project. First, in design, students can choose any holiday theme. The more creative the better. Students can design their ideas on a shirt template. Students can bring in any plain t-shirt, but sweatshirts or hoodies work too.
After that, students can cut out paper patterns from this resource. After cutting out the paper template, students will trace the template on the fabric.
Sewing practice
For needlework practice, students can use a needle to practice on paper, followed by practicing how to thread a needle and then sewing on paper. Sewing on paper is different than fabric, but for students who haven’t had sewing practice, this is a good way for them to get a feel for the repetition involved with sewing. Don’t forget to practice the size of the stitches and the spacing between stitches.
Sewing project options
Ugly Christmas Sweater is the theme, but this project can certainly take on many themes, without a Christmas focus for students who might not celebrate the holiday. Other ideas include Tacky Tourist, Fourth of July, or even your school mascot. There really is no limit to the number of ideas students can create. The main idea for this project is sewing practice.
Can I make it cute?
Absolutely! This is where your students and their personality get to shine through. Why not encourage a simple and cute design that isn’t holiday specific? The goal is sewing practice.
Once your sweater is fully decorated, try it on and admire your work! Schedule a theme day at school for your students to wear or give as a gift to a friend or family member. You’ll be sure to spread some holiday cheer with your unique and festive creation!
You could even choose several staff members around the building for students to design and create an Ugly Christmas sweater. You could make it a competition between groups or hours.
An ugly Christmas sweater sewing project is a fun and creative way to get into the holiday spirit with your students. Handsewing, buttons, in particular, is a great life skill to know and practice. With a few basic supplies and some creative imagination, your students can create a one-of-a-kind sweater that will make them the life of the next theme day. So, break out the sewing needles and let them start creating their own festive masterpiece!
Like the idea, but want these resources available without extra thought? Check out the resource here.
Need something else to start your sewing unit? Check out this bundle.