Browse by:
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![]() Painted Story Quilt |
![]() |
Grades K – 4 |
Grade Level |
|
![]() |
NEW! Arpilleras: featuring Paper Clip Faux Felting In the 1970s in Santiago, Chile, a group of women helped bring about social change with hand-stitched tapestries. Inspired by these arpilleras, students can envision changes and tell their own stories. This lesson plan also introduces a new faux-felting technique using a paper clip and colorful polyester fiber. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Known as the festival of lights and observed in many countries around the globe, Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Garlands known as "Toran" or "Bandanwar" are a traditional means of decorating doorways and windows to welcome guests with a bright and beautiful entryway. |
2 – 8 |
|
![]() |
Use sun-powered dyes and block printing to create an easy fabric Sun Deity. Carve the soft block, brush on dye, press onto muslin, and expose to the sun. The colors develop in minutes! Combine various patterns to create clothing and accents. Students can share their carvings across the class for added variety! |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
A staple for needle crafts, plastic mesh canvas becomes the base for a textural fiber and wire mash-up. An open-ended introduction to fiber art, this lesson provides students with a means to create a base structure. Once this substrate is in place, students follow their own path of exploration and experimentation, discovering the many ways fibers can communicate color, texture, and form. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Craft a whimsical mixed media sculpture using remnants stored in your "nest". Combine fabric or paper scraps, raffia, pipe cleaners, bits of airdry clay and paint to make an interesting bird or animal sculpture. ![]() |
2 – 8 |
|
![]() |
Make a distinctive batik masterpiece on paper using ink crystals and simple resist. By making a batik composition on paper, the ancient method is taught without the vats of dye and pans of melted wax! A gloss medium is trailed onto paper with a plastic squeeze bottle fitted with a writer tip. Next, powdered ink crystals are used wet or dry to create a modern interpretation of an ancient craft. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Red, White and Blue Jean 3D Collage Utilizing discarded denim, this project is a salute to Jasper Johns' "Flag." Denim provides a wide variety of blue hues and a surprising amount of texture. The fabric can be folded, bunched, twisted, rolled, woven to create dimension, and colorful designs can be added with paint, ink or water-soluble crayons. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Simple Silk Screen in the Round Silk screening is made simple with the use of an embroidery hoop frame and Mod Podge! Simply draw an image on silk screen fabric with a pencil and paint around the outside with Mod Podge. Pull fabric ink though with a squeegee and you're done! Add handpainted details to add even more color. ![]() |
2 – 12 |
|
![]() |
In Japan, Children's Day on May 5th is heralded by the appearance of flying fish: carp-shaped windsocks known as “Koinobori”. In this lesson, students design a “scale”-shaped block from soft block printing material and apply it repetitively to outdoor-safe fabric that has been cut in the shape of a fish. Add details like eyes, fins, and a tail using metallic and sparkle paint, and the Koinobori is ready to hang and “swim” through the breeze! ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
An outgrown sweater becomes a fun pair of costume mittens! Use a recycled wool sweater, shrink film, and other adornments to create a fun and functional "Wild Thing" mitten. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Create a beautiful textile design using dye sticks and block printing. |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
“Gawu” — African Inspired Tapestry Ghana-born artist El Anatsui is known internationally for his large-scale sculptures called “Gawu,” a composite of the words “ga,” meaning something made of metal and 'wu,” meaning a fashioned garment. In this lesson, students create their own tapestries as a response to El Anatsui's art, using African kente to discover rhythm and pattern in art. Recycled materials can be used, including folded papers and labels. |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Roll up a felted masterpiece! Students easily create beautiful wool paintings using soap, water, and a little elbow grease. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
This lesson plan introduces wool roving, which is the raw, washed wool from the sheep that is then dyed a variety of beautiful colors. The wool strands will be used to "paint" onto a canvas of felt. The wool is very easily "felted" or punched into the background with a felting needle. |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Inspired by Huichol Nierikas — beautiful paintings made from yarn pressed onto beeswax — this is a simple way for students to experience the color, geometric linework and symbolism of this Native American art form. Using colorful string applied to an adhesive-backed piece of felt, students create their designs without messy glue or sharp cutting tools. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Picasso-Inspired Soft Sculpture By looking through the vast array of figurative paintings done by Picasso during his cubist phase, students may find many possibilities for soft sculpture adaptations. Fine art, sculpture and textiles combine to make this eye-catching piece! ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Printing creative T-shirts and fabrics doesn’t always require stencils and screens — students can easily design their own giant stamps and paint them any way they want. Even if each shirt displays the same message, each will be a completely unique work of art! This process is perfect for group settings — schools, camps, daycare centers, clubs, family reunions and special events — but it is also ideal for countless home decorating and craft projects. |
K – 8 |
|
![]() |
A great collaborative art project. Each student weaves a colorful pot holder then stitches it with the class pieces for a quilt or wall hanging. The project is bright, colorful and fun. It is also a great exercise in dexterity and cooperation. |
2 – 6 |
|
![]() |
The production and commerce of decorated silk fabrics began thousands of years ago in China. This project introduces fine-mesh polyester as a silk-like fabric for painting. Form a wire shape as a support and paint with transparent liquid acrylic color. Finished pieces are flexible and may be heat-set for outdoor display. |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
In the 1800s, many homes were decorated with “Penny Carpets”, made from miss-matched fabric cut into circles by tracing around a penny. Patches were then layered and stitched together to make a large piece. Students create a Penny Carpet with fabric that they design themselves using monoprinting techniques and fabric paint. Each section is sewed to felt swatches, then joined to make a larger piece of art. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Quilt-making spans multiple centuries and cultures. It can teach math skills, record history, recycle cast-off materials and encourage cooperative efforts within a group...just for a few ideas! This lesson looks at the story quilts of Faith Ringgold. She surrounds her narrative paintings with a quilted border, creating stories in color, texture, and pattern. Students select their own story to illustrate, then paint fabric using watersoluble pastels and watercolor. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
This project starts with a 12" x 12" piece of muslin upon which a variety of papers, fabrics, colors and textures are added. Paper Cloth can be sewn with a sewing machine, cut with scissors, folded and reused. It is hard to tear! The finished and dry material may be wrinkled, or placed between two sheets of paper and ironed to flatten. Color can be added using different mediums. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
The Kuna culture flourishes today in the San Blas Islands with the vibrant trade of native Molas — brightly colored cotten panels that have been hand-sewn for many decades. Kuna women use both appliqué and reverse appliqué sewing techniques. These easy “no sew” Molas are made with felt and glue, rather than stitching. |
K – 8 |
|
![]() |
The fine art of weaving is explored using acrylic felt. This lesson also offers an opportunity to discuss fabric used for clothing, blankets and other items found in various cultures |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Personal flags are expressions of a student's own life in symbols and serve as a link between the student and his or her environment. |
K – 6 |
|
![]() |
Native American Burlap Weaving Students will learn about Native American craft art, basketry, rugs, clothes. These crafts were decorative as well as utilitarian, made for everyday use and also for ceremonial use. Students will also learn the use of symmetrical designs in Native American art. |
3 – 6 |
|
![]() |
This project is a great way to teach color mixing and will easily link with social studies disciplines following Asian cultures (Japanese and Chinese silk painting) and also with science, as botanical studies. |
3 – 8 |
|
![]() |
Students learn to apply yarn painting techniques in combining their ideas and their art. |
K – 8 |
|
![]() |
Although it is commonly used as a decorative medium for clothing, fabric paint is also used as a fine art medium |
K – 6 |
|
![]() |
This lesson incorporates classroom-friendly acrylic felt and basic sewing/assemblage skills that can be adjusted for various age levels. |
3 – 8 |
|
![]() |
This project is impressionistic in technique and does not require detail. |
K – 4 |
|
![]() |
Explore the beauty of fabric batik without the danger of hot wax or dyes. Simply trace a design onto muslin with washable glue and add brilliant color. ![]() |
3 – 8 |
|
![]() |
"Create a fully posable hand to help students learn to communicate in sign language." |
3 – 5 |
|
![]() |
"Paper, paint and ribbon are used to develop a pattern with contrasting textures and colors." |
K – 6 |
|
![]() |
Using Tee Juice® Fabric Markers, students design a pair of painted shoes reminiscent of a famous artist's style and choices of subjects and colors. |
K – 6 |
|
![]() |
"Drawing with Thread" is an interpretation of work by Wassily Kandinski in 1913. Kandinski is called the first totally abstract artist. Free flowing water color and line suggests but does not define images. |
K – 8 |
|
![]() |
Grades 5 – 8 |
Grade Level |
|
![]() |
NEW! Arpilleras: featuring Paper Clip Faux Felting In the 1970s in Santiago, Chile, a group of women helped bring about social change with hand-stitched tapestries. Inspired by these arpilleras, students can envision changes and tell their own stories. This lesson plan also introduces a new faux-felting technique using a paper clip and colorful polyester fiber. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
NEW! Stand Up Soft City Students will block print an image of their chosen building on the front and write on the back of a self-standing soft sculpture. Together they'll create their own stand up soft city that highlights the architectural forces within their community. ![]() |
5 – 8 |
|
![]() |
Discover the Japanese art of dried flower “painting” — with a transparent twist. |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Known as the festival of lights and observed in many countries around the globe, Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Garlands known as "Toran" or "Bandanwar" are a traditional means of decorating doorways and windows to welcome guests with a bright and beautiful entryway. |
2 – 8 |
|
![]() |
Use sun-powered dyes and block printing to create an easy fabric Sun Deity. Carve the soft block, brush on dye, press onto muslin, and expose to the sun. The colors develop in minutes! Combine various patterns to create clothing and accents. Students can share their carvings across the class for added variety! |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
A staple for needle crafts, plastic mesh canvas becomes the base for a textural fiber and wire mash-up. An open-ended introduction to fiber art, this lesson provides students with a means to create a base structure. Once this substrate is in place, students follow their own path of exploration and experimentation, discovering the many ways fibers can communicate color, texture, and form. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Craft a whimsical mixed media sculpture using remnants stored in your "nest". Combine fabric or paper scraps, raffia, pipe cleaners, bits of airdry clay and paint to make an interesting bird or animal sculpture. ![]() |
2 – 8 |
|
![]() |
Make a distinctive batik masterpiece on paper using ink crystals and simple resist. By making a batik composition on paper, the ancient method is taught without the vats of dye and pans of melted wax! A gloss medium is trailed onto paper with a plastic squeeze bottle fitted with a writer tip. Next, powdered ink crystals are used wet or dry to create a modern interpretation of an ancient craft. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
This project gives a whole new meaning to the term “Book Binding”! Turn an old, discarded book into a weaving loom and create an amazing creation of paper and string. Punch a few holes in the pages, string a warp structure and bind, stitch, knot and weave between the lines! ![]() |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Using brightly colored felts, paint applied by squeezing rather than brushing, and folding of the fabric to repeat pattern, a vibrant and very individual statement is made on a functional and useful piece of artwork – the book cover. ![]() |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Red, White and Blue Jean 3D Collage Utilizing discarded denim, this project is a salute to Jasper Johns' "Flag." Denim provides a wide variety of blue hues and a surprising amount of texture. The fabric can be folded, bunched, twisted, rolled, woven to create dimension, and colorful designs can be added with paint, ink or water-soluble crayons. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Simple Silk Screen in the Round Silk screening is made simple with the use of an embroidery hoop frame and Mod Podge! Simply draw an image on silk screen fabric with a pencil and paint around the outside with Mod Podge. Pull fabric ink though with a squeegee and you're done! Add handpainted details to add even more color. ![]() |
2 – 12 |
|
![]() |
In Japan, Children's Day on May 5th is heralded by the appearance of flying fish: carp-shaped windsocks known as “Koinobori”. In this lesson, students design a “scale”-shaped block from soft block printing material and apply it repetitively to outdoor-safe fabric that has been cut in the shape of a fish. Add details like eyes, fins, and a tail using metallic and sparkle paint, and the Koinobori is ready to hang and “swim” through the breeze! ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
An outgrown sweater becomes a fun pair of costume mittens! Use a recycled wool sweater, shrink film, and other adornments to create a fun and functional "Wild Thing" mitten. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Create a beautiful textile design using dye sticks and block printing. |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
“Gawu” — African Inspired Tapestry Ghana-born artist El Anatsui is known internationally for his large-scale sculptures called “Gawu,” a composite of the words “ga,” meaning something made of metal and 'wu,” meaning a fashioned garment. In this lesson, students create their own tapestries as a response to El Anatsui's art, using African kente to discover rhythm and pattern in art. Recycled materials can be used, including folded papers and labels. |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Roll up a felted masterpiece! Students easily create beautiful wool paintings using soap, water, and a little elbow grease. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
This lesson plan introduces wool roving, which is the raw, washed wool from the sheep that is then dyed a variety of beautiful colors. The wool strands will be used to "paint" onto a canvas of felt. The wool is very easily "felted" or punched into the background with a felting needle. |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Inspired by Huichol Nierikas — beautiful paintings made from yarn pressed onto beeswax — this is a simple way for students to experience the color, geometric linework and symbolism of this Native American art form. Using colorful string applied to an adhesive-backed piece of felt, students create their designs without messy glue or sharp cutting tools. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Picasso-Inspired Soft Sculpture By looking through the vast array of figurative paintings done by Picasso during his cubist phase, students may find many possibilities for soft sculpture adaptations. Fine art, sculpture and textiles combine to make this eye-catching piece! ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Printing creative T-shirts and fabrics doesn’t always require stencils and screens — students can easily design their own giant stamps and paint them any way they want. Even if each shirt displays the same message, each will be a completely unique work of art! This process is perfect for group settings — schools, camps, daycare centers, clubs, family reunions and special events — but it is also ideal for countless home decorating and craft projects. |
K – 8 |
|
![]() |
A great collaborative art project. Each student weaves a colorful pot holder then stitches it with the class pieces for a quilt or wall hanging. The project is bright, colorful and fun. It is also a great exercise in dexterity and cooperation. |
2 – 6 |
|
![]() |
The production and commerce of decorated silk fabrics began thousands of years ago in China. This project introduces fine-mesh polyester as a silk-like fabric for painting. Form a wire shape as a support and paint with transparent liquid acrylic color. Finished pieces are flexible and may be heat-set for outdoor display. |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
In the 1800s, many homes were decorated with “Penny Carpets”, made from miss-matched fabric cut into circles by tracing around a penny. Patches were then layered and stitched together to make a large piece. Students create a Penny Carpet with fabric that they design themselves using monoprinting techniques and fabric paint. Each section is sewed to felt swatches, then joined to make a larger piece of art. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Quilt-making spans multiple centuries and cultures. It can teach math skills, record history, recycle cast-off materials and encourage cooperative efforts within a group...just for a few ideas! This lesson looks at the story quilts of Faith Ringgold. She surrounds her narrative paintings with a quilted border, creating stories in color, texture, and pattern. Students select their own story to illustrate, then paint fabric using watersoluble pastels and watercolor. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Fine craft artists today are exploring texture and color in all mediums. The fabric beads in this project encourage experimental use of materials to enhance and enrich traditional techniques. |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
This project starts with a 12" x 12" piece of muslin upon which a variety of papers, fabrics, colors and textures are added. Paper Cloth can be sewn with a sewing machine, cut with scissors, folded and reused. It is hard to tear! The finished and dry material may be wrinkled, or placed between two sheets of paper and ironed to flatten. Color can be added using different mediums. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Based on the sculpture of Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, students create a 3-dimensional figure study in fiber. ![]() |
7 – 12 |
|
![]() |
The Kuna culture flourishes today in the San Blas Islands with the vibrant trade of native Molas — brightly colored cotten panels that have been hand-sewn for many decades. Kuna women use both appliqué and reverse appliqué sewing techniques. These easy “no sew” Molas are made with felt and glue, rather than stitching. |
K – 8 |
|
![]() |
The fine art of weaving is explored using acrylic felt. This lesson also offers an opportunity to discuss fabric used for clothing, blankets and other items found in various cultures |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
The natural translucent quality of silk paired with transparent paints rivals the glow of stained glass when held up to the sun. This is an easy way to teach introductory silk paintin. |
7 – 12 |
|
![]() |
This outrageously fun guitar design can be created in 1-1/2 to 2 hours from start to the end of the dyeing process. |
7 – 12 |
|
![]() |
The ancient Japanese tradition of textile painting known as Shibori entails many techniques and processes including the gathering, wrapping and binding methods that we call "tie-dye" today. This 2-part lesson involves painting and draping stiffened fabric to create a sculptural piece. |
7 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Personal flags are expressions of a student's own life in symbols and serve as a link between the student and his or her environment. |
K – 6 |
|
![]() |
Native American Burlap Weaving Students will learn about Native American craft art, basketry, rugs, clothes. These crafts were decorative as well as utilitarian, made for everyday use and also for ceremonial use. Students will also learn the use of symmetrical designs in Native American art. |
3 – 6 |
|
![]() |
This project is a great way to teach color mixing and will easily link with social studies disciplines following Asian cultures (Japanese and Chinese silk painting) and also with science, as botanical studies. |
3 – 8 |
|
![]() |
Students learn to apply yarn painting techniques in combining their ideas and their art. |
K – 8 |
|
![]() |
Although it is commonly used as a decorative medium for clothing, fabric paint is also used as a fine art medium |
K – 6 |
|
![]() |
This lesson incorporates classroom-friendly acrylic felt and basic sewing/assemblage skills that can be adjusted for various age levels. |
3 – 8 |
|
![]() |
The coarse, open weave of burlap substitutes for a weaving loom in this fiber art project. |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Explore the beauty of fabric batik without the danger of hot wax or dyes. Simply trace a design onto muslin with washable glue and add brilliant color. ![]() |
3 – 8 |
|
![]() |
"Create a fully posable hand to help students learn to communicate in sign language." |
3 – 5 |
|
![]() |
This project memorializes heroes and ancestors in fabric. The disciplines of music and dance combine with the visual arts to produce plays and theatrical presentations of the spirit. |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
"Paper, paint and ribbon are used to develop a pattern with contrasting textures and colors." |
K – 6 |
|
![]() |
Create Hawaiian-inspired shirts with brightly-colored flowers, leaves, and fish by printing them using fabric paints. "Gyotaku" - the Japanese word for "fish print"- is a fun and exciting way to give shirts an island beach look. |
5 – 8 |
|
![]() |
Using Tee Juice® Fabric Markers, students design a pair of painted shoes reminiscent of a famous artist's style and choices of subjects and colors. |
K – 6 |
|
![]() |
"Drawing with Thread" is an interpretation of work by Wassily Kandinski in 1913. Kandinski is called the first totally abstract artist. Free flowing water color and line suggests but does not define images. |
K – 8 |
|
![]() |
Grades 9 – 12 |
Grade Level |
|
![]() |
NEW! Arpilleras: featuring Paper Clip Faux Felting In the 1970s in Santiago, Chile, a group of women helped bring about social change with hand-stitched tapestries. Inspired by these arpilleras, students can envision changes and tell their own stories. This lesson plan also introduces a new faux-felting technique using a paper clip and colorful polyester fiber. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Discover the Japanese art of dried flower “painting” — with a transparent twist. |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Use sun-powered dyes and block printing to create an easy fabric Sun Deity. Carve the soft block, brush on dye, press onto muslin, and expose to the sun. The colors develop in minutes! Combine various patterns to create clothing and accents. Students can share their carvings across the class for added variety! |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
A staple for needle crafts, plastic mesh canvas becomes the base for a textural fiber and wire mash-up. An open-ended introduction to fiber art, this lesson provides students with a means to create a base structure. Once this substrate is in place, students follow their own path of exploration and experimentation, discovering the many ways fibers can communicate color, texture, and form. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Make a distinctive batik masterpiece on paper using ink crystals and simple resist. By making a batik composition on paper, the ancient method is taught without the vats of dye and pans of melted wax! A gloss medium is trailed onto paper with a plastic squeeze bottle fitted with a writer tip. Next, powdered ink crystals are used wet or dry to create a modern interpretation of an ancient craft. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
This project gives a whole new meaning to the term “Book Binding”! Turn an old, discarded book into a weaving loom and create an amazing creation of paper and string. Punch a few holes in the pages, string a warp structure and bind, stitch, knot and weave between the lines! ![]() |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Using brightly colored felts, paint applied by squeezing rather than brushing, and folding of the fabric to repeat pattern, a vibrant and very individual statement is made on a functional and useful piece of artwork – the book cover. ![]() |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Red, White and Blue Jean 3D Collage Utilizing discarded denim, this project is a salute to Jasper Johns' "Flag." Denim provides a wide variety of blue hues and a surprising amount of texture. The fabric can be folded, bunched, twisted, rolled, woven to create dimension, and colorful designs can be added with paint, ink or water-soluble crayons. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Simple Silk Screen in the Round Silk screening is made simple with the use of an embroidery hoop frame and Mod Podge! Simply draw an image on silk screen fabric with a pencil and paint around the outside with Mod Podge. Pull fabric ink though with a squeegee and you're done! Add handpainted details to add even more color. ![]() |
2 – 12 |
|
![]() |
In Japan, Children's Day on May 5th is heralded by the appearance of flying fish: carp-shaped windsocks known as “Koinobori”. In this lesson, students design a “scale”-shaped block from soft block printing material and apply it repetitively to outdoor-safe fabric that has been cut in the shape of a fish. Add details like eyes, fins, and a tail using metallic and sparkle paint, and the Koinobori is ready to hang and “swim” through the breeze! ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
An outgrown sweater becomes a fun pair of costume mittens! Use a recycled wool sweater, shrink film, and other adornments to create a fun and functional "Wild Thing" mitten. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Create a beautiful textile design using dye sticks and block printing. |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
“Gawu” — African Inspired Tapestry Ghana-born artist El Anatsui is known internationally for his large-scale sculptures called “Gawu,” a composite of the words “ga,” meaning something made of metal and 'wu,” meaning a fashioned garment. In this lesson, students create their own tapestries as a response to El Anatsui's art, using African kente to discover rhythm and pattern in art. Recycled materials can be used, including folded papers and labels. |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Roll up a felted masterpiece! Students easily create beautiful wool paintings using soap, water, and a little elbow grease. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
This lesson plan introduces wool roving, which is the raw, washed wool from the sheep that is then dyed a variety of beautiful colors. The wool strands will be used to "paint" onto a canvas of felt. The wool is very easily "felted" or punched into the background with a felting needle. |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Inspired by Huichol Nierikas — beautiful paintings made from yarn pressed onto beeswax — this is a simple way for students to experience the color, geometric linework and symbolism of this Native American art form. Using colorful string applied to an adhesive-backed piece of felt, students create their designs without messy glue or sharp cutting tools. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Picasso-Inspired Soft Sculpture By looking through the vast array of figurative paintings done by Picasso during his cubist phase, students may find many possibilities for soft sculpture adaptations. Fine art, sculpture and textiles combine to make this eye-catching piece! ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
The production and commerce of decorated silk fabrics began thousands of years ago in China. This project introduces fine-mesh polyester as a silk-like fabric for painting. Form a wire shape as a support and paint with transparent liquid acrylic color. Finished pieces are flexible and may be heat-set for outdoor display. |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
In the 1800s, many homes were decorated with “Penny Carpets”, made from miss-matched fabric cut into circles by tracing around a penny. Patches were then layered and stitched together to make a large piece. Students create a Penny Carpet with fabric that they design themselves using monoprinting techniques and fabric paint. Each section is sewed to felt swatches, then joined to make a larger piece of art. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Quilt-making spans multiple centuries and cultures. It can teach math skills, record history, recycle cast-off materials and encourage cooperative efforts within a group...just for a few ideas! This lesson looks at the story quilts of Faith Ringgold. She surrounds her narrative paintings with a quilted border, creating stories in color, texture, and pattern. Students select their own story to illustrate, then paint fabric using watersoluble pastels and watercolor. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Fine craft artists today are exploring texture and color in all mediums. The fabric beads in this project encourage experimental use of materials to enhance and enrich traditional techniques. |
5 – 12 |
|
![]() |
This project starts with a 12" x 12" piece of muslin upon which a variety of papers, fabrics, colors and textures are added. Paper Cloth can be sewn with a sewing machine, cut with scissors, folded and reused. It is hard to tear! The finished and dry material may be wrinkled, or placed between two sheets of paper and ironed to flatten. Color can be added using different mediums. ![]() |
K – 12 |
|
![]() |
Based on the sculpture of Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, students create a 3-dimensional figure study in fiber. ![]() |
7 – 12 |
|
![]() |
The fine art of weaving is explored using acrylic felt. This lesson also offers an opportunity to discuss fabric used for clothing, blankets and other items found in various cultures |
3 – 12 |
|
![]() |
The natural translucent quality of silk paired with transparent paints rivals the glow of stained glass when held up to the sun. This is an easy way to teach introductory silk paintin. |
7 – 12 |
|
![]() |
Claes Oldenburg popularized soft sculpture in the 1960's with flaccid everyday objects such as a fan, light switch and drum set.This lesson plan is an introduction to textile painting and fabric assemblage, as well as sculpture. |
9 – 12 |
|
![]() |
This outrageously fun guitar design can be created in 1-1/2 to 2 hours from start to the end of the dyeing process. |
7 – 12 |
|
![]() |
The ancient Japanese tradition of textile painting known as Shibori entails many techniques and processes including the gathering, wrapping and binding methods that we call "tie-dye" today. This 2-part lesson involves painting and draping stiffened fabric to create a sculptural piece. |
7 – 12 |
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Students investigate dolls and games in history and cultures. All cultures have dolls and are a fascinating reflection of climate, resources, ideas and technology. This particular lesson challenges the student to look into the future and reflect on the past. |
9 – 12 |
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This lesson plan recognizes the correlation between the two art forms as students create a band T-shirt using visual descriptions of particular music styles. |
9 – 12 |
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Students learn the basics of silk screening. |
9 – 12 |
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The coarse, open weave of burlap substitutes for a weaving loom in this fiber art project. |
5 – 12 |
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This project memorializes heroes and ancestors in fabric. The disciplines of music and dance combine with the visual arts to produce plays and theatrical presentations of the spirit. |
5 – 12 |
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Simple beginners' project using 5 colors of paint and 2 types of stencils: positive and negative. |
9 – 12 |
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Learn the processes involved in traditional batik and in color layering with dye. |
9 – 12 |
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With its repetitive under-and-over motion, weaving creates a visual rhythm. Choose a few musical selections for students and have them interpret the six principles of design while listening to music: contrast, rhythm, unity, pattern, movement and balance. |
9 – 12 |
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Special Education |
Grade Level |
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NEW! Arpilleras: featuring Paper Clip Faux Felting In the 1970s in Santiago, Chile, a group of women helped bring about social change with hand-stitched tapestries. Inspired by these arpilleras, students can envision changes and tell their own stories. This lesson plan also introduces a new faux-felting technique using a paper clip and colorful polyester fiber. ![]() |
3 – 12 |
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“Gawu” — African Inspired Tapestry Ghana-born artist El Anatsui is known internationally for his large-scale sculptures called “Gawu,” a composite of the words “ga,” meaning something made of metal and 'wu,” meaning a fashioned garment. In this lesson, students create their own tapestries as a response to El Anatsui's art, using African kente to discover rhythm and pattern in art. Recycled materials can be used, including folded papers and labels. |
K – 12 |
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Printing creative T-shirts and fabrics doesn’t always require stencils and screens — students can easily design their own giant stamps and paint them any way they want. Even if each shirt displays the same message, each will be a completely unique work of art! This process is perfect for group settings — schools, camps, daycare centers, clubs, family reunions and special events — but it is also ideal for countless home decorating and craft projects. |
K – 8 |
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Quilt-making spans multiple centuries and cultures. It can teach math skills, record history, recycle cast-off materials and encourage cooperative efforts within a group...just for a few ideas! This lesson looks at the story quilts of Faith Ringgold. She surrounds her narrative paintings with a quilted border, creating stories in color, texture, and pattern. Students select their own story to illustrate, then paint fabric using watersoluble pastels and watercolor. ![]() |
K – 12 |
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