In the Art room.....

SOFTIE TOYS

A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

Created by: GRADE 5 STUDENTS(Designed by Grade 1 buddies)

This year, Grade 1 students were invited to design their own original softtoy, which would then be brought to life by their Grade 5 buddies. Thiscollaborative project encouraged students to share ideas across yearlevels while developing creativity, craftsmanship and a sense ofconnection through artmaking.

Grade 5 students began by learning three foundational hand-stitchingtechniques: the running stitch, backstitch and blanket stitch. Once theGrade 1 designs were completed, students carefully selected felt coloursto bring each unique character to life.

Working from their buddy’s original design, students drew the basicshape onto felt, pinned a second piece underneath and carefully cutaround the form, leaving a seam allowance. They then used thebackstitch to securely join the pieces, leaving an opening through whichthe soft toy could be carefully filled with stuffing. Once the form wascomplete, students closed the remaining seam before adding individualfeatures and decorative details using felt scraps.

The project extended beyond the creation of the soft toys, with Grade 5students designing their own company logos to feature on the packaging.Each completed Softie was presented as a special edition creation,accompanied by the Grade 1 student’s original design, a personalised Softie Adoption Certificate and an authenticity sticker. Grade 5 studentsalso received a certificate recognising their completion of the project.

Through this meaningful exchange between younger designers and oldermakers, students experienced the complete creative journey—from initialconcept and design through to construction, presentation andownership—celebrating the idea that art can connect, inspire and bring another person’s imagination to life.

Mrs. Ivana Dabb

Art teacher

Take a look at just some of our creative designers and makers….