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Sewing
Sewing
Materials and Tools:
Materials and Tools:
- Fabric (cotton, synthetic, or felt)
- Sewing needles
- Pins/pin cushions
- Batting
- Sharpies/colored markers
- Sewing thread
- Scissors
- Yarn, buttons, and other miscellaneous adornments
Processes and Procedures:
Processes and Procedures:
For this project, we started by sketching a design on paper with the prompt of creating a sewn and stuffed character. Once we finished our design, we cut it out and used it as a guide to trim some fabric for the body, leaving about an inch border on all sides. We then began the sewing process using the running stitch along our traced fabric, making sure that the back of the fabric was facing out. We continued the stitch until there was about an inch or two of unsewn fabric left in our design and turned it right-side out. It was then time to use batting to stuff our pieces and give them shape. Once our pieces were full, we then moved on to surface and face design. For this process, we used buttons, other fabrics, and thread to create faces on our pieces. Once our designs were complete we used the ladder stitch or invisible stitch to close up the one-inch opening, completing our characters. Unfortunately, I forgot to take process photos for this project but was able to get my finished product photographed (after my roommate's cat had some fun with it - hence the cat fur).
For this project, we started by sketching a design on paper with the prompt of creating a sewn and stuffed character. Once we finished our design, we cut it out and used it as a guide to trim some fabric for the body, leaving about an inch border on all sides. We then began the sewing process using the running stitch along our traced fabric, making sure that the back of the fabric was facing out. We continued the stitch until there was about an inch or two of unsewn fabric left in our design and turned it right-side out. It was then time to use batting to stuff our pieces and give them shape. Once our pieces were full, we then moved on to surface and face design. For this process, we used buttons, other fabrics, and thread to create faces on our pieces. Once our designs were complete we used the ladder stitch or invisible stitch to close up the one-inch opening, completing our characters. Unfortunately, I forgot to take process photos for this project but was able to get my finished product photographed (after my roommate's cat had some fun with it - hence the cat fur).
Classroom Applications:
Classroom Applications:
I think sewing is a great skill to learn in all age groups. I've seen it be especially useful in middle and high school classrooms. Creating art that has a physical form can be a very gratifying experience for a lot of kids. I would definitely include a lesson similar to this in my classroom, maybe also focusing on creating other useful objects like pillows. I think it might be worth it to take a day to go over some sewing skills and techniques and then apply them to a larger project like the character one done here.
I think sewing is a great skill to learn in all age groups. I've seen it be especially useful in middle and high school classrooms. Creating art that has a physical form can be a very gratifying experience for a lot of kids. I would definitely include a lesson similar to this in my classroom, maybe also focusing on creating other useful objects like pillows. I think it might be worth it to take a day to go over some sewing skills and techniques and then apply them to a larger project like the character one done here.
Felting
Felting
Materials and Tools:
Materials and Tools:
- Bamboo mats
- Large towels
- Spray bottles
- Soap
- Hot water
- Access to a sink (for rinsing)
- Loose wool (real or synthetic)
- Other miscellaneous yarn
Processes and Procedures
Processes and Procedures
In this project, we started off by laying out our bamboo mats on a large towel and choosing a few colors of loose wool. Pulling apart the wool and laying it down against the grain of the bamboo mat (horizontally) was our first step. We then sprayed it with a hot water and soap mixture and agitated it thoroughly with our hands. We added progressive layers making sure to alternate between laying down the wool in horizontal and vertical directions to ensure maximum tangling of the threads. Once there was a strong base we added design elements with other wool in the same kind of process. Once the design was finished we rolled it up on the bamboo mat and worked it back and forth to lock in the fibers. This was done a couple of times until the fabric felt nice and sturdy. The last step was to rinse out the soap and press to dry our felted fabric.
In this project, we started off by laying out our bamboo mats on a large towel and choosing a few colors of loose wool. Pulling apart the wool and laying it down against the grain of the bamboo mat (horizontally) was our first step. We then sprayed it with a hot water and soap mixture and agitated it thoroughly with our hands. We added progressive layers making sure to alternate between laying down the wool in horizontal and vertical directions to ensure maximum tangling of the threads. Once there was a strong base we added design elements with other wool in the same kind of process. Once the design was finished we rolled it up on the bamboo mat and worked it back and forth to lock in the fibers. This was done a couple of times until the fabric felt nice and sturdy. The last step was to rinse out the soap and press to dry our felted fabric.
Ideas for the Felting in the Art Classroom:
Ideas for the Felting in the Art Classroom:
I think wet felting is a very accessible technique to teach in the classroom. The materials are easy to access, not incredibly expensive and the steps themselves are simple and fun to do. This is a pretty active process that could be good for students to get moving during art making. With that process, however, there is a certain sensory experience so that may also be something to keep in mind for some students who have sensitivities. I would definitely preface that the result may be different than what people have in mind (due to the rolling process - things can shift) so more detail-oriented/perfectionist students know what to expect from the project from the beginning. I think I might pair this with a lesson in color theory - maybe having students pick out a color palette to explore in the abstract to mitigate some of those possible issues.
I think wet felting is a very accessible technique to teach in the classroom. The materials are easy to access, not incredibly expensive and the steps themselves are simple and fun to do. This is a pretty active process that could be good for students to get moving during art making. With that process, however, there is a certain sensory experience so that may also be something to keep in mind for some students who have sensitivities. I would definitely preface that the result may be different than what people have in mind (due to the rolling process - things can shift) so more detail-oriented/perfectionist students know what to expect from the project from the beginning. I think I might pair this with a lesson in color theory - maybe having students pick out a color palette to explore in the abstract to mitigate some of those possible issues.
Weaving
Weaving
Materials and Tools:
Materials and Tools:
- Cardboard looms
- Warp string (thin)
- Weft string (yarn of varying thickness)
- Weaving needles
- Wooden dowels
- Scissors
- Folded paper (for spacer)
Processes and Procedures:
Processes and Procedures:
We began this process by starting the loom which entailed setting up the warp strings by wrapping them around the notches of the base, making sure to have an even number. The warp string was tied off at the start and end of the edges. We then added the two-inch spacer board at the bottom by weaving it through the warp strings. Gathering about five times the width of our board in our chosen yarn, we created the first weft string. To do this we weaved through one side and then looped back around to weave under the warp strings that had weft strings overlaying them. This created a base that would not fall out, supporting our weaving. We then continued our weaving, starting with the single weave technique (over one, under one) by entering the side we just finished on but alternating the weave pattern to be opposite the line below it. We continued this eventually adding on double/triple weaves (over one, under two, and over one under three) as well as rya knots and other ties on the warp strings. Any extra thread was tucked temporarily behind the piece while working and tied off later when we removed the piece from the loom. The tie-off process consisted of threading loose yarn (from changing color or running out) or string from the warp (after cutting it loose from the loom and knotting it closed) into the back side of the weave, essentially hiding it from sight. Once done we could choose to use a whip stitch to secure it to a wooden dowel for hanging or leave it as is.
We began this process by starting the loom which entailed setting up the warp strings by wrapping them around the notches of the base, making sure to have an even number. The warp string was tied off at the start and end of the edges. We then added the two-inch spacer board at the bottom by weaving it through the warp strings. Gathering about five times the width of our board in our chosen yarn, we created the first weft string. To do this we weaved through one side and then looped back around to weave under the warp strings that had weft strings overlaying them. This created a base that would not fall out, supporting our weaving. We then continued our weaving, starting with the single weave technique (over one, under one) by entering the side we just finished on but alternating the weave pattern to be opposite the line below it. We continued this eventually adding on double/triple weaves (over one, under two, and over one under three) as well as rya knots and other ties on the warp strings. Any extra thread was tucked temporarily behind the piece while working and tied off later when we removed the piece from the loom. The tie-off process consisted of threading loose yarn (from changing color or running out) or string from the warp (after cutting it loose from the loom and knotting it closed) into the back side of the weave, essentially hiding it from sight. Once done we could choose to use a whip stitch to secure it to a wooden dowel for hanging or leave it as is.
Introducing Weaving in the Art Classroom:
Introducing Weaving in the Art Classroom:
I would absolutely incorporate weaving into my classroom. Much like sewing, the process of weaving can be very meditative. Once you get the loom set up and the first row in place it is a repetitive process and it is relatively easy to get into a rhythm. I've seen a lot of interest from middle and high school students in creating weavings even when they finish other projects early - speaking to its popularity and relevance to their interests. There are a lot of opportunities to incorporate interdisciplinary aspects like history and math into the lesson.
I would absolutely incorporate weaving into my classroom. Much like sewing, the process of weaving can be very meditative. Once you get the loom set up and the first row in place it is a repetitive process and it is relatively easy to get into a rhythm. I've seen a lot of interest from middle and high school students in creating weavings even when they finish other projects early - speaking to its popularity and relevance to their interests. There are a lot of opportunities to incorporate interdisciplinary aspects like history and math into the lesson.
Teaching Sustainability in Weaving:
Teaching Sustainability in Weaving:
Incorporating sustainability with a weaving lesson would be relatively easy to do. There are lots of opportunities to create looms out of recyclables or use recycled cloth as weaving materials. Also, taking a page from another artist-teacher I know, using natural materials to either create the loom or use them for weaving. I think one good thing to mention is the waste that buying materials creates, the water it takes to create some wool or yarn products and the impacts of harvesting natural materials as well.
Incorporating sustainability with a weaving lesson would be relatively easy to do. There are lots of opportunities to create looms out of recyclables or use recycled cloth as weaving materials. Also, taking a page from another artist-teacher I know, using natural materials to either create the loom or use them for weaving. I think one good thing to mention is the waste that buying materials creates, the water it takes to create some wool or yarn products and the impacts of harvesting natural materials as well.
Natural Dyes
Natural Dyes
Materials and Tools:
Materials and Tools:
- Cotton t-shirts or fabric (pre-mordanted with vinegar)
- Rubber bands
- Pre-made natural dyes
- Squeeze bottles
- Stovetop or hot plate
- Large pot with a steaming basket
Processes and Procedures:
Processes and Procedures:
For this process, we began by collecting our individual t-shirts that had been pre-mordanted with vinegar to prepare to take the dye. Using rubber bands we folded and tied our shirts into different patterns creating areas for die resists. We then took our shirts outside and used pre-made natural dyes (made by boiling things like food waste or herbs) that we poured into squeeze bottles to color them. Some of these dyes were made from things like tea, turmeric, spirulina, red cabbage, and onion skins. After thoroughly soaking our folded shirts with dye, we brought them back inside and placed them into a basket inside a large pot filled partially with water to steam set the dye. The shirts were to simmer in boiling water for around an hour. Once the dye was set by the steam we would be free to unfold our shirts, revealing the patterns we created using the resist techniques.
For this process, we began by collecting our individual t-shirts that had been pre-mordanted with vinegar to prepare to take the dye. Using rubber bands we folded and tied our shirts into different patterns creating areas for die resists. We then took our shirts outside and used pre-made natural dyes (made by boiling things like food waste or herbs) that we poured into squeeze bottles to color them. Some of these dyes were made from things like tea, turmeric, spirulina, red cabbage, and onion skins. After thoroughly soaking our folded shirts with dye, we brought them back inside and placed them into a basket inside a large pot filled partially with water to steam set the dye. The shirts were to simmer in boiling water for around an hour. Once the dye was set by the steam we would be free to unfold our shirts, revealing the patterns we created using the resist techniques.
Reflection and Outcomes:
Reflection and Outcomes:
I had a lot of fun with the dyeing experience. This is something that I did a lot in my childhood so getting to do it again was very nostalgic. The final outcome of my shirt was a little lackluster compared to my freshly dyed piece. That is sometimes the nature of natural dyes and mordants though like Callie said. Overall though I am still very satisfied with the experience itself even though the final product isn't as interesting as I'd hoped - I'm open to trying to re-dye it at home!
I had a lot of fun with the dyeing experience. This is something that I did a lot in my childhood so getting to do it again was very nostalgic. The final outcome of my shirt was a little lackluster compared to my freshly dyed piece. That is sometimes the nature of natural dyes and mordants though like Callie said. Overall though I am still very satisfied with the experience itself even though the final product isn't as interesting as I'd hoped - I'm open to trying to re-dye it at home!
Applicability of Natural Dyes/Dyeing in the Art Classroom:
Applicability of Natural Dyes/Dyeing in the Art Classroom:
I think dyeing in the classroom would be a really great opportunity for a collaborative project. While discussing in class I brought up the idea of having students create large 'patches' in small groups and then stitch them together to make a class tapestry or quilt of sorts This could help diminish the volume of items needing to be steam set, making the project more available to larger groups. It may also be a good opportunity to explore other resist methods and materials that would be more applicable for group work.
I think dyeing in the classroom would be a really great opportunity for a collaborative project. While discussing in class I brought up the idea of having students create large 'patches' in small groups and then stitch them together to make a class tapestry or quilt of sorts This could help diminish the volume of items needing to be steam set, making the project more available to larger groups. It may also be a good opportunity to explore other resist methods and materials that would be more applicable for group work.
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