Presentation

  1. 1

    Invite the child. Thread the needle and tie a knot as in the sewing card work.

  2. 2

    Push the needle up from the back of the fabric at the marked dot.

  3. 3

    Slide the button down the needle and thread through one hole until it rests on the fabric.

  4. 4

    Push the needle down through the second hole and through the fabric.

  5. 5

    Repeat up and down through the same two holes 4–5 times. Feeling the button tighten is the point of interest.

  6. 6

    On the back, pass the needle under the stitches twice to tie off. Cut the thread.

  7. 7

    Tug the button to check that it holds.

  8. 8

    Invite the child to sew a button on a new square.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Sew a four-hole button with two parallel stitches
  2. Sew a four-hole button with a cross stitch
  3. Sew several buttons in a row to make a design
  4. Sew a loose button back onto a doll's clothing or a smock

Control of error

A loose button wobbles when pulled; thread on the front in the wrong direction shows a hole was missed.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Sews a two-hole button that holds firm
  • Sews a four-hole button
  • Ties off without help

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.