Boll to Bolt

 

Objective: Students will learn about the process for using the cotton plant and wool from sheep to make fabric.

 

Pre Activity

 

Activity 1:

Suggested Reading: 

Choose one or two of the following, discuss the book and the process of making thread from cotton or wool.

 

Farmer Brown Shears the Sheep written by Teri Sloat

Joseph and the Cottonseed written by Belinda Taylor

Working Cotton written by Sherley Anne Williams

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson

 

Activity 2

Quilting was not only a necessary task for most women but also an enjoyable time to gather with neighbors for entertainment purposes.

 

Sam Davis' grandmother, mother and sisters made many quilts. Some of which we still have onsite for students to see. The names of two quilts we know were made by the grandmother and mother were a May Apple Quilt and a Reel Quilt.

 

To begin the discussion of quilt design the teacher provides a quilt for the students to touch. Discuss the designs in the quilt and the how people use different fabric squares to make their own individual designs. Manipulative 1 has quilting terms to discuss before creating their own quilt square design.

 

Have the students create their own quilt design using construction paper. Use different colored triangle and square shapes from construction paper. (See grid to use for template - Manipulative 2)

After the students are finished creating their design they are to give it a name and  present it to the class.

Have a contest for the best quilt square. Teacher can display all the squares on a bulletin board to make one large quilt.

 

Post Activity

 

Activity 1

Students can make a classroom quilt, using their handprint, signature or individual creation each child would have one fabric square to design on their own. Have a seamstress sew all the squares together and make into a quilt. Display in class or have a silent auction for parents to purchase the quilt to raise money for the class.

Activity 2

Have the students complete the word scramble (Manipulative 3 or Manipulative 4) depending on grade level. The word scramble will be using the spinning, weaving and quilt terms. Rediscuss the terms discussed from the presentation.

Activity 3 - Outreach Only

Hang the craft (God's eye) from the ceiling of the classroom to display the student's art.