School: Nānāikapono Elementary School
Grade Level: Grades 3-6
Teacher: Celia Miyagawa and Luania Sula
Driving Question: How do we, as sewists, create and upcycle textiles to support our community?
What did the students DO?
This small but spirited sewing group is using their creativity and sewing skills to make useful and meaningful items for their school and community. From threading and caring for sewing machines to crafting pillows, scrunchies, and blankets, each project strengthens their technical abilities and sense of giving. Inspired by Aunty Pua Burgess’ weatherball concept, the haumāna are creating community balls to encourage connection and communication across campus.
- Trip to the Fabric Store: Students visited the fabric store to select materials for upcoming sewing projects such as scrunchies, water bottle holders, and tote bags.
- Learning Sewing Machine Skills: Students are practicing threading and caring for the sewing machine while creating items such as pillows and scrunchies.
- Creating Comfort Items: This month, the group completed a small blanket and pillow using both machine and hand sewing techniques.
- Introduction of the Weatherball: Inspired by Aunty Pua Burgess at the January PALS PD, kumu introduced the weatherball as a tool for building community. Students are committed to making weatherballs for two grade levels on campus to encourage emotional check-ins and give every student a voice.
- Sewing for the Community: The group continues to work on community balls, no-sew blankets, and other simple sewing projects while honing their threading skills and straight-line stitching.
Through sewing, this group is fostering both technical skill and community connection. Each project—from blankets to weatherballs—serves as a bridge between creativity and compassion, reinforcing the importance of sharing time, talent, and aloha with others.
