African Textiles
45 Minute Lecture/Demonstration or 2-3 Day Residency
By Jamie Root
Download Teacher Guide
The diverse textile traditions found on the African continent are presented in this workshop. Using slides, woven examples, and other visual aids, Jamie illustrates the Akrete looms from Nigeria, strip looms of West Africa, pit-looms from the Northeast, raffia textiles of Zaire, and ground looms of the Bedouins.
Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Fee: $100; $75 each for 2 or more, Additional materials fee for residency only
Size: 30 students maximum
Availability: Year-round
Requirements: Several large tables; screen (set up in one location) or AV cart, *paid planning meeting for a residency
Addresses Standards (download standards here): 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.9, 4.3, 4.4, 11.1 & 15.1
Asian Textiles
45 Minute Lecture/Demonstration or 2-3 Day Residency
By Jamie Root
Appreciating Asian cultures and their long history of weaving, dyeing, and fabric design, Jamie Root will introduce students to the textiles of Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Students will see slides and examples of fabrics from these countries. Information about the Hmong, Kimono, rice-paper cloth, invention of the spinning wheel in China, development of silk, and sericulture today will also be included.
Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Fee: $100; $75 each for 2 or more; Additional materials fee for residency only
Size: 30 students maximum
Availability: Year-round
Requirements: large tables; screen or AV cart, *paid planning meeting
Addresses Standards (download standards here): 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.9, 4.3, 4.4, 7.4, 7.6, 11.1 & 15.1
Colonial and Pioneer Spinning and Weaving
By Jamie Root
Spinning and weaving in early American history were important to the survival of settlers and vital to the development of the Industrial Revolution. Students learn how the entire family shared the tasks of making cloth. Students will experience various spinning techniques, tools used, and the processes used to create fabric during this time in our nation’s development.
Grades:
1–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12
Fee:
$100; $75 each for 2 or more
Workshop Size:
30 students maximum
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
Table; chair; all workshops take place in same room
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.9, 4.3, 4.4, 7.4, 7.6, 11.1, 15.1
Felting: Science Friction
45 Minute Lecture/Demonstration or 2-3 Day Residency
Carla Buchheit leads students into the science of this wool craft while they squish and squash through the friction of felting. A choice of non-toxic dyes can color each felted project.
Grades:
4–5, 6–8, 9–12
Fee:$100; $75 each for 2 or more; $3 materials fee per student
Length:
45 minutes or 2–3 day residency in which students create their own pieces, including embellishing their works with assorted fabrics and fibers.
Workshop Size:
30 students maximum
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
*Residency only: Warm water source and old newsprint, paid planning meeting
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 9.9, 11.1, 15.7
Fiber Art and Production
by Janet Kuemmerlein
A nationally known fiber artist, Janet Kuemmerlein works with the medium of fiber to create sculptural wall pieces and stitched murals for commercial buildings, residences, and religious institutions. She presents a slide lecture combined with a demonstration of technique and will work with the teacher to develop a program suited to the classroom needs.
Grades:
4–5, 6–8, 9–12
Fee:
$100; $75 each for 2 or more
Length:
45 minutes or 2–3 day residency with a more complex project, including a self portrait collage
Workshop Size:
30 students maximum
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
Slide projector
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.9, 4.3, 4.4, 11.1, 15.1
Natural Dyeing
45 Minute Lecture/Demonstration or 2-3 Day Residency
By Jamie Root
Students learn how textiles have been dyed at various periods in cultures around the world, and discover how different fibers and mordants yield different colors using the same dye pot. Classes may keep the samples. Solar dye pots may be set up and left for classes to study.
Grades:
3–5, 6–8
Fee:
$100; $75 each for 2 or more; Additional materials fee for residency only
Length:
45 minutes or 2–3 day residency in which students prepare skeins, mordant yarn, and dye colors
Workshop Size:
30 students maximum
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
*Residency only: A well-ventilated room; tables; a source of electricity and water nearby, paid planning meeting. The artist will bring all materials needed, including hot plates to cook dyes.
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
5.6, 9.9, 15.1, 15.8
Spinning and Weaving
45 Minute Lecture/Demonstration or 2-3 Day Residency
By Jamie Root
The artist shows different fibers used around the world to spin yarn. Various methods of spinning are shown to the class with an emphasis on tasks children have in the process of making textiles. Natural dyes in brilliant colors are shown and weaving on cardboard and advanced multi-shaft looms are demonstrated. Note: Specific time periods and cultures that students are studying may be included.
In the 2-3 day residency, teachers select a student project: paper weaving; spinning; weaving or stitching through burlap; weaving through rug canvas; stitching yarn into a tapestry (requires a third day); or creating purses, small pillows, trivets, or wall hangings. Inkle loom weaving available for districts with inkle looms.
Grades:
3–5, 6–7
Fee:
$100; $75 each for 2 or more; $1 materials fee per student for
residency
Length:
45 minutes or 2–3 day residency in which teachers
select a student project: paper weaving; spinning; weaving or stitching through burlap; weaving through rug canvas; stitching yarn into a tapestry (requires a third day); or creating purses, small pillows, trivets, or
wall hangings. Inkle loom weaving available for districts with inkle looms.
Workshop Size:
30 students maximum
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
Two tables; a chair; 20–30 minutes set up; all workshops in same room, *paid planning meeting
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 9.9, 11.1, 15.6, 15.7, 15.8
Weaving & Design
45 Minute Lecture/Demonstration or 2-3 Day Residency
By Jamie Root
This lecture with slides includes a brief history of rug and tapestry weaving, including sources of the designs found in early American rugs. In the residency, students will work on more complex projects, including tapestry weaving.
Grades: 4-5, 6-8, 9-12
Fee: $100; $75 each for 2 or more; Additional materials fee for residency only
Size: 30 students maximum
Availability: Year-round
Requirements: Table; screen; AV cart; all workshops in same room, *paid planning meeting.
Addresses Standards (download standards here): 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 4.4, 11.1, 15.1 & 15.6