|
Curriculum Resources for the Alaskan Environment
|
Subject Areas: textile
arts: weaving, spinning, natural dying, stitchery,
macrame
Timeline:
ongoing
Grade Levels: all grades,
community
Purpose:
|
|
K. Schwartz
Weaver's
Guild
|
|
 Activities
- Set up a place. Depending on resources, you will
need:
18' x 16' space for two foot-powered looms
small space for one or two spinning wheels
two long work tables for table looms and simple
looms
a separate area for dying spun yarn
- Collect local materials for extracting dyes:
berries, nuts, etc. Collect local materials for spinning into fiber:
hair, fur, etc.
- Spin fibers on hand-spinning wheels or drop spindles
(you may wish to mondant fibers first).
- Mondant fibers by treating them with a chemical
to allow them to accept color, and to make color more permanent (see Dye
Plants and Dying under Resources).
- Weave products by hand or use the looms. You
can also use other textile arts such as stitchery, applique, macrame,
or textile printing. When possible, incorporate local craft techniques,
such a s skin sewing, basket making, etc.
Resources
- hair from animals; dogs, caribou, moose, and
bear can be used for spinning
- some weeds and grasses collected in the summer
can be used in combination with hair for spinning
- berries, leaves, nuts, moss, and most vegetables
can be used to extract
colors for dying
- The State Library, for resources dealing with
weaving techniques throughout Alaska
- Dye Plants and Dying, a book of instructions
on natural dying
- The Textiles Arts, a handbook of weaving,
braiding, printing, and other textile techniques
- The Complete Illustrated Book of Dyes for
Natural Sources
|
Variation
- Market the products; obtain a
business license and sell work in
shops,
museums, and/or by mail
order.
|
| 
