Materials:
- 9″x12″ burlap
- Blunt tapestry needle
- Ruler and pencil
- Yarn (variety of colors)
- White paper or card stock, 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
- Scissors
Vocabulary:
Embroider – to decorate cloth by sewing patterns on it with thread
Directions:
1. Peel away a few strands of burlap from each edge to give you a solid rectangle with square corners…. and fringe!
2. Lay your ruler along each edge and draw an outline about an inch inside your fringe. Go over this line a few times if necessary to make it dark enough to see.
3. Cut a piece of yarn about 4 feet long and thread your needle, making a knot at one end.
4. Do a “running stitch” over your pencil line to form a border. Try to keep your stitches equal in length and resist pulling them too tight!
5. Now, draw a simple outline shape on your paper and cut it out. Center this template on your burlap and trace around it.
6. Finally, use a variety of stitches and colors to complete your design. (If you can’t finish your project in one session, keep some yarn in your needle and weave it through your burlap to keep it from getting lost.)
does every student make a fish? If no – what other subjects do your students make – I would love to see some student examples.
i once used burlap a lot and now I can't find it to buy it, michael's and ac moore dont' have it?? do you use an online source, I love the project.
These are fun. I do a burlap weaving project with my 3rd graders (pull strings and replace with woven patterns of yarn) and they love it. I order the burlap from Nasco or School Specialty.
I'm just starting my own blog called There's a Dragon in my Art Room and I hope your readers will take a look and comment/critique at http://plbrown.blogspot.com/
Tishalou, my students can work with whatever simple shape they like… a bird, sun, heart, star, etc. We're taking a break to make Mother's Day cards, but I'll post more pics when they finish!
I buy my burlap from a local craft/fabric shop, but good to know that Nasco and School Specialty carry it. Love the weaving idea, Phyl!
I love this project. With Grade 1 I have the kids embroidery their name. The stitching projects then get more complicated the higher the grade. They all seem to thoroughly enjoy it no matter what their age…boys too.
Love your example!
Stitching is so calming. This is a great project for parents as well to preserve young children's art. I've done it with little hands too turns out great for gifts. Reminds me of learning to sew with my grandmother
Hello, Thank you for your idea and for the instructions, it makes things so much easier!
JoAnn