Textiles

As part of our creative curriculum this term, we are going to be learning about weaving. Traditional weaving can be found in many cultures but is usually associated with the Americas and South Asia. These skills are passed down between families where master weavers teach younger members of the community this complex art form. It is no easy feat – some foot looms can take up to two days to assemble.

Activity 1: Make your own llama!

The llama is a South American relative of the camel, though the llama does not have a hump. These sturdy creatures are domestic animals used by the people of the Andes Mountains. Native people have used llamas as pack animals for centuries.

Follow the steps below to have a go at weaving your own llama at home. 

Materials Needed:

• Scissors
• Corrugated Cardboard
• Wool
• Felt tips
• Masking Tape
• Optional: 
  • Print out llama template
  • Small Pom-Poms

Step 1:

Draw out a llama on a piece of cardboard and cut it out. You can print a template using the link above or draw your own.

Step 2:

Cut out the same number of slits on the top and bottom of your llama to hold your warp threads. Make sure they're evenly spaced.

Step 3:

String your warp threads. 

• Tape one end of a piece of wool to the back of your llama. 
• Then, wrap the wool around your llama until all of slits are filled. 
• Tape the end of your wool to the back.

Step 4: 
Cut out a piece of wool to weave. Tie one end to your warp (top of the right string.)
Wrap the other end with masking tape (to help weave.) Alternatively, you could also use a needle (but you don't really need one.)

Step 5:
Go over and under each warp thread (grey ones). When you reach the end of one row, do the opposite pattern of over and under for the next row. Keep alternating until you're finished with your piece of wool (or you decide to change colours).To add another piece of wool, simply tie on your new piece of wool to your old piece of wool. Then, keep on weaving!

Step 6: 
Optional: Glue on pom poms. Why? Because they're so cute!

Click here if you would like to share a photo of your llama on the blog. 

Activity 2: Weave an 'Ojo de Dios'

Traditionally, a God’s Eye (in Spanish, Ojo de Dios) was a spiritual symbol, and the weaving process was reflective and meditative. The points of a God’s Eye represent the four elements of nature: earth, fire, air and water, and the center  represents the eye of God, and is believed to have the power to see and understand things that the human eye cannot.  In some cultures, when a baby is born, the father of the household weaves the eye of the God’s eye, and each year, until the child’s 5th birthday, another ring of colour is added. They are commonly found in Mexican and South American communities.

Follow the steps below to have a go at weaving your own ojo de dios. 

 Materials Needed:

• Scissors
• Two sticks
• Wool

Step 1:

To make your God’s eye, begin by crossing two sticks to form an “X”.

To secure those sticks, and keep them in place, wrap a piece of wool around the intersecting points of the stick (where they cross).  You can knot your wool to start, or you can just trap the tail under the wool as you start wrapping. Do a few wraps in one direction, and then rotate your sticks, and do a few wraps in the other direction to ensure your sticks are stable, and won’t shift.

And now, the fun begins!

Step 2:

Wrap your wool around one stick, close to the center of the God’s eye, and take it over to the next stick.  Wrap it around that stick, and take it to the next stick. Continue wrapping and winding in that fashion, rotating your God’s Eye craft as you work. Whether you wrap the yarn over the sticks or under doesn’t matter, as long as you are consistent.

Watch the video to see this weaving in action! 

South American Adventure

Aslan's Virtual Art Gallery

Hi Aslans, 

Click the link to submit your super artwork and I will share it here to create an online art gallery for everyone to enjoy!

A Postcard Poem

Thank you Ivy for sending in this beautiful poem about our class. It was so lovely to go into school today and be handed your letter. Thank you for making me smile!

Halle Orchestra

Hello Aslans, Miss Travis here. Really missing being able to see you all! The photos of your work have really cheered me up.

Click on the link below for some activities linked to our trip to the Halle Orchestra. Enjoy!

Calling all young artists! It’s competition time!

Please click on this link to find out about the Bourlet Young Masters Art Prize in support of the Cavell Nurses’ Trust.

You need to act fast though – the deadline for submissions is Friday 1^st May. To enter, you need to ask a grown up to post a photo of your artwork on Instagram (see the website for more details).  You could create your artwork this week or post something you have already created. There are no restrictions on the subject and the image can be painted, drawn or scribbled using any kind of media. Use your imagination!

If you would like some inspiration you can look on the bitesize website.
 

If you did any art work for the Bourlet Young Master Competition

please spend a minute to fill out this google form.  It was not set up correctly last week but it should be working now.
Thank you and good luck!