4th graders learned to create a design using radial symmetry as well as the skills of threading needles, tying knots, and sewing on a button. With so much focus on technology these days, I like to balance it out with some longstanding traditional techniques.
First we examined examples of radial symmetry such as these:
Next, we made a few warm-up sketches, loaded our hoops, and began with the button.
Once the buttons were on, we demonstrated the running stitch, the back stitch and the cross stitch; after that students were free to experiment with stitching and design.
I love this! And apparently the students do, too! I think my high school students would like to do this project. I discovered using embroidery without pre-designing it with a stamped or drawn image, quite out of necessity, when I felt a strong need to embroider once, but had no patterns and didn't want to take the time to draw it out first, and I wondered why I hadn't done it years ago. It puts intuitive thought into the process. Thanks for sharing! Compliment your students for a great job on these!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love this....I use to embroider when I was in my teens...remember those bell bottom, hip hugger jeans in the 60's? I embroidered all over them...sure with I still had them. I will be learning Amazigh embroidery in Morocco at a women's co-op...there is meaning behind the designs. Valuable for children to learn how to use their hands at more than texting and keyboard. It takes skill to use a needle and thread.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly. I love devices as much as the next guy, but not at the cost of losing our handcrafting skills.
DeleteI too had some blue chambray "workshirts" we called them in the 70's, embroidered with rainbows, animals, names, all kinds of cool stuff. I think I may have mine in the attic...
DeleteSo awesome! I love stitching with kids. I will admit I am afraid to do it now that I am back in public school bc my classes are so large. How many kids are in the classes that do this?
ReplyDeleteThanks! My 4th grades have about 24-27 kids each.
DeleteTotally gorgeous project idea Hope - love it and will no doubt use it in future! Thanks!
ReplyDelete