Distribute one piece of burlap, one needle and one pair of scissors to each student. Allow students to choose one or more colors of thread and provide them with a piece approximately 3-feet long of each color. Alternatively, pass the thread around and allow students to cut a piece for themselves.
Instruct the students to tie a knot in one end of the yarn or thread. If they have multiple pieces, they should tie a knot in each one. The knot must be larger than the holes in the burlap. Depending on the size of the thread, the students may need to double-knot one end.
Teach the children how to thread the end without the knot through the eye of the needle. Enlist the help of students with experience sewing to help students who have never threaded a needle before.
Guide the students in pushing the needle up through the bottom of the burlap and through to the top. Teach them a few stitches, such as the running stitch, back stitch or ladder stitch.
Instruct the children to continue sewing using the stitches to make designs on their burlap fabric. Students can draw any picture they like or make simple X-type designs to show they have learned the skills taught in this lesson. For a challenge, students may want to sew their initials or their name.