stiff patterned felt<\/a>, which really made this project stunning in my opinion.\u00a0 Fabric and felt are almost impossible for kids to cut, so the stiff felt really helped with that as well.\u00a0 (Pro tip:\u00a0 as a starting point, force kids to use scraps – do not give children a whole piece of felt because they will invariably make a bee line directly to the center to cut the tiniest shape out of the middle! If anyone has insight as to the spatial \/ cognitive issue happening that seems to make that a universal thing with ALL children, we’re all ears!).\u00a0 \u00a0As with paper, our “no waste” studio policy is that unless fabric and felt scraps are invisible to the naked eye, they are big enough to stay in the scrap bowl for others to use.\u00a0 Then they become confetti!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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We also provided a table of colorful and inspiring ribbons, trims, yarn, ric rac, embroidery floss, and small soft embellishments (pom pomps, fabric roses).<\/p>\n
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How We Did It:<\/h4>\n <\/p>\n
The process of building up the scene was very similar to what we would use for a paper collage.\u00a0 One technique that works for us is to not put out any glue until all the cutting and layering is done.<\/p>\n
So they basically dry fit the whole thing first, while we encourage (aka push) them to get progressively more and more detailed.\u00a0 We’ve found that if we let them glue as they go, not only does it get very glue-y, but they mysteriously lose interest in the cutting and layering part and getting them to add the cool details is like pulling teeth.\u00a0 So we all work together for a long time just cutting and layering, while we play a fun word game:\u00a0 anyone who says the words “done” & “finished” have to add five more things!\u00a0 Then it’s not US telling them to keep working, it’s their classmates who find it hilarious when someone forgets and says one of those words!<\/p>\n
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Before gluing, they gently remove all the pieces and set them off to the side.\u00a0 Even if they get all piled up, we’ve never had anyone not be able to remember where something goes.\u00a0 We used regular school glue in squeeze bottles and spread with small stiff glue brushes.\u00a0 The glue soaks into the fabric, especially the felt, so you really have to put it on very thick.\u00a0 It worked but I’m sure it would be better to use a fabric glue.<\/p>\n
This entire project is really full of great emotional and physical challenges for kids – it’s definitely an exercise in patience and perseverance.\u00a0 Not only is the fabric challenging to cut, but when they start gluing, they have to have a lot of patience!\u00a0 “Miss Jennifer, my gluuuuueeee isn’t wooooooorking!!!!”<\/p>\n
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Everyone did such a great job with the little details. It took us a while to interpret what was going on in their scene and fully appreciate everything they included in their picture.\u00a0 Some kids included people and animals (oh, that’s a donkey!! I see it now!) – ponds, waterfalls, mountains, oceans… They were all stunning!<\/p>\n
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We’re excited to share one of the most beautiful projects we’ve ever done – Folk Art fabric arpilleras! These three-dimensional quilts known as\u00a0arpilleras\u00a0were inspired by our teacher Sarah’s Peruvian mother, who kindly lent us these beautiful quilts from her personal collection. (Miss Sarah, by the way, finished her Masters in Art Ed and is living […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":19087,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[130,145,191,479,491],"class_list":["post-9554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-elementary","tag-collage","tag-cultural-art-projects","tag-fabric-collage","tag-tapestry","tag-textile-art"],"yoast_head":"\n
Folk Art Fabric Arpilleras - Kids Art Classes, Camps, Parties, Events - Small Hands Big Art Fort Mill SC<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n