Lacing Cards

Lacing Cards
Practical Life - Sewing
Level	Primary
Age	3 - 4
Prerequisites	Bead Stringing
Materials	lacing card string knotted at one end tray

This activity teaches the child a basic running stitch pattern. This activity prepares the child for sewing.

Presentation

1. Take the material to a mat or table.

   

2. Smooth out the string to be sure there are no knots or tangles.

   

3. Hold the lacing card in the subdominant hand and the end of the string without the knot in the dominant hand.
   Put the end of the string through any hole.

   

4. Grasp the end of the string on the other side of the card. Pull the string all the way through until it is stopped at the knot.

   

5. Put the end of the string through an adjacent hole to the one where it just came out. Pull the string on the other side until it is tight.

   

6. Put the string through the next hole in the same way.

   

7. Continue in this way until the card is completely laced.

   

8. To remove the string, hook your index finger through the very last stitch and pull.

   

9. Flip the lacing card to remove the next stitch. Continue in this way until all the stitches are removed.

   

10. Remove the string by pulling the knotted end until the string is completely out.

    

11. Smooth the string out, fold it in half, then fold it in half again.

    

12. Place the string back in the tray.

    

Variations and Extensions

• A whip stitch or blanket stitch could also be done.

Material

Make Your Own

Lacing cards could be cut from light-weight cardboard (such as from a cereal box), and holes punched along the edges. A shoelace could be used for the string.

Where to Buy

Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022

Lacing Cards
Store	Price
Constructive Playthings set of 6	$10.99
Constructive Playthings	$6.99

Further Reading

• Teach Me to Do It Myself by Maja Pitamic, pages 42-43