Ringgold Quilt Squares

Narrative Art

Fiber Arts Fusion…sounds like a good summer art camp theme…hmm. Anyway I love this project more and more each year. I’m starting to “get it”. So glad I’ve been teaching this awesome lesson all along!

Day One:  Read and discuss “Tar Beach” by Faith Ringgold. If I could fly, I would fly______________.

To, over, across, under, inside, above…they loved brainstorming places.

 

We sketch out our full-body self-portrait and practice writing our sentence in our Idea Books. Then we draw a one-inch border on a 12”x12” square. They just used the width of the ruler sliding it from edge to edge…no fancy measuring involved.

Next we illustrate our Quilt Square with pencil and trace with Sharpie.

We color these with crayons and finally add one-inch squares of fabric around the border.

I love how the story implied that once you fly over something, you own it forever. This artist really embraced that idea!

“I have the hole circus now!”….

Monograms with 4th Grade

Here’s a project we’ve been working on for the past few weeks. I try to do this project every year with my 4th graders. Most of them really enjoy it, even the boys!

We design our initials on a piece of paper, outline with sharpie and transfer to a piece of burlap by tracing our letters. They add more designs as they finishing stitching their initials. I use the phrase “don’t bite off more than you can chew” a lot with this project.

 

The weather was so nice when we were in the middle of the project, that I took one class outside to work on these. Let’s just say that only happened once.

I demonstrate how to straight stitch the letters, then I show them how to fill in their letters and designs with satin stitch. Finally, I show them how to cross stitch and tie french knots.

I see my 4th graders at the end of the day…which is not the best scenario for kids who don’t have recess anymore. So, let’s just say I’ve had to relax my teaching style for this grade level. I have to pick my battles. At the end of the day, if they’ve made something, I’m happy.

Monograms with 4th Grade

I usually love this project. Some classes are making it really great...and others well...lets just say it's the end of the year. 

We spend the first day of this project designing our initials. The next day, we transfer the design to the burlap and learn how to thread an embroidery needle and tie double knots. (A single knot usually pulls through the burlap...)

Day Three: Start straight stitching. I get them to do a pattern similar to weaving...they count over 3 squares on the burlap and they stitch under one 'line' of the burlap. It makes their stitches look consistent and it's easier then stitching up and down. 

The goal is to get all letters outlined first, then they can start experimenting with different stitches. I teach them satin stitch, french knots and cross stitch once they all get the hang of straight stitch. 

Usually the kids pick it up quick and enjoy working on these. It is a good thing to work on during TCAP...keeps them pretty calm.