Burlap Weaving Bookmarks

Weaving lessons can come in many forms, the simplest being with just plain paper. My preference though is using actual fabric, and burlap has the most open and visible weave for beginners to work with.

1. Give each student a rectangle of burlap, about 3" wide by 9" tall. They are to pull about 5 threads from all four sides, one a a time, to make a decorative fringe.
2. To make some room to add new yarn, about 3 consecutive horizontal threads are pulled out.
3. The students thread a tapestry needle with some colorful new yarn, and run it through the new open row in the burlap, weaving up and down as often as they could, the ideal being over or under every thread. The yarn is pulled through and the ends trimmed when finished.
4. This process was repeated as often as possible until the end of class. I had a 2nd grader that did 13 rows!
UPDATE: I wanted to add that this has been one of my most successful projects to date. About 300 second through fifth graders completed their weavings last week, and not one of them went away feeling frustrated or deciding that weaving or sewing (as some called it) was not for them. Teachers loved it too, asking for more when school gets back in session. After the investment of the tapestry needles (metal are best), the cost is about $7 for a class of 24.

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Friendship Bracelets

This project was a hit not only with girls but with boys as well. I think they are just “surfer” looking enough to work for both.

1. I read somewhere that these bracelets are made with 6 colors, one for each letter in the word F-R-I-E-N-D. I cut about a yard of each color and taped them to the back of a piece of 8.5" x 11" chip board. I then taped the top down with the yarn lying smooth and placed a clip at the bottom. Keeping the yarn snuggly in place while working produces more consistent knots.
2. The process of making the bracelet is releasing one yarn at a time from the clip, wrapping a double knot around each successive yarn, and then securing it to the board again with the clip. Here are some good instructions with 4-lines, but the process is the same.
3. I've found after working with many 20+ classrooms that some students will learn the steps by seeing a large example done on a board, some may be able to work from a printout, and some will just need to see the steps one-on-one. Whatever the case, it just takes patience to get through the initial “I need help” phase.
4. When the bracelet gets to be about 6" long, I had the students tie a large knot at both ends, and then tie them together. Softer yarn works best for this so it doesn't get too bulky. This project takes a bit of prep time, but every year I am so happy I did it because of all the students that proudly wear their bracelets all around school!
CA Visual Art Standard: Creative Expression, Grade Four
2.4 Use fibers or other materials to create a simple weaving.

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