Crafts projects: Holiday projects teach cultural lessons and sewing skills

What's New, Nov/Dec 2000 by Brandt, Susan, Embry, Kathleen

DURING THE MONTH OF December, people of different religions and cultural backgrounds all spend time with family or friends. Whether students observe Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, Consumer Science and Family Studies teachers can use craft sewing projects to help students learn more about their own holiday, and to gain a better understanding of the holidays of other cultures.

CHRISTMAS

For those who celebrate Christmas, this elf boot stocking offers an alternative to the traditional red and white shape of Santa's boot.

Elf Boot Stocking

Materials:

Elf pattern

1/2 yard (.5 m) wool felt

Cotton or silk embroidery floss

Glass beads, approximately 15

Yarn for tassels

Heavy paper or cardboard

Instructions:

1. Cut two stocking pieces from the

felt according to the pattern.

2. Embroider snowflakes either on the front piece or on both the back and front pieces, depending on preference. Use straight stitches to embroider snowflakes.

3. Sew on beads randomly to add shine. Be careful to stay about 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the edge so that when the front and back pieces are sewn together, beads or embroidery will show.

4. Pin the stocking pieces with wrong sides together. Stitch 1/4 inch (.5cm) from the edge. Trim the seam allowances evenly and close to the stitching (1/8 inch or .3 cm).

5. Using blue, green, yellow or purple yarn, make two tassels. The tassel for the toe should measure 11/2 inch (4 cm); the one at the top of the stocking should measure 3 inches (7.5 cm) in length. To make tassels, cut a piece of heavy paper or cardboard 1/8 inch (.3 cm) longer than the desired finished length of the tassel. Wrap the yarn around the cardboard to create a thick layer. Cut another piece out of the same yarn about 6 inches (15 cm) long, loop it through the top of the tassel, and tie a knot. Remove the tassel from the cardboard by sliding it off the end, wrap another piece of yarn around the tassel, about 1/2 inch from the top, and tie securely to keep the yarn from slipping out. To finish, cut through the lower loop and trim the bottom ends with very sharp scissors until they are even.

6. Stitch the tassels to the stocking.

Used with permission of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., NY, NY from THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING BOOK by Mary D'Alton, 1998 by Mary D'Alton, Photo by Eric Ferguson, a Lark Book.

KWANZAA

African Americans will enjoy creating the black, red and green Karamu apron, and wearing it during Kwanzaa Karamu, held on December 31, a feast and celebration expressed through music, group dancing and poetry.

Karamu Apron

Materials:

Apron (Can be purchased apron, or to further sewing skills, create from a pattern.)

Colorful fabric (1/2 yard)

Double-sided fusible web

Coordinating fabric paints

Fabric scissors

Iron/ironing board

Straight pins

Cardboard or shirt board

Marking pencil

Instructions:

1. Wash apron and fabric. After the fabric dries, it should be ironed and stretched flat.

2. Using colorful fabric, design applique patterns as desired

3. Place fusible web, paper side up, on applique patterns and trace. Cut fusible web 1/4-inch larger than applique patterns.

4. Place fusible web, paper side up, on wrong side of fabric pieces and fuse, following manufacturer's instructions. Trim excess fabric.

5. Cut out appliques. Remove paper backing and arrange appliques on aprons, then fuse in place.

6. Place cardboard under apron. Pin apron to cardboard to secure.

7. Using marking pencil, draw desired design on apron and appliques.

8. Apply fabric paint over marked lines. Allow paint to dry before removing marking pencil lines. Paint each section separately and allow paint to dry before painting additional sections.

9. Follow paint manufacturer's instructions for washing and cleaning fabric.

Used with permission of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., IVY, IV NY from KWANZAA CRAFTS by Marcia Odle McNair 1998 by Chapelle Ltd., Photo by Kevin Dilley, a Sterling / Chapelle Book.

HANUKKAH

The Star of David is the six-sided star symbol most often associated with Judaism today. It is thought to represent the shape of King David's shield, but it is not really known where the symbol originated. By first learning how to create the Star of David applique, then learning how to sew it in place, students will begin to perfect a number of great basic sewing skills cutting, pinning, zig-zag stitching, and pivoting. Students will enjoy making a Star of David applique that can be sewn onto a variety of items such as a wall/ door hanging, a placemat, a table runner, a flag, a pillow, or even onto a sweatshirt or t-shirt.

The Star of David applique can be hand-stitched in place just as easily as it is sewn in place on the sewing machine. These simple projects are detailed below.

Materials Needed:

9" x 12" square of dark blue felt

9" x 12" square of light blue felt

One spool dark blue and light blue thread

Glue stick

Cutting and Preparation:

Cut one triangle from dark blue felt

Cut one triangle of light blue felt

Sewing the Star of David Applique:

1. Cut the dark blue triangle on the right side so that it can be intertwined with the light blue triangle. To intertwine the triangles, weave the dark blue triangle over and under the light blue triangle. The cut portion of the dark blue triangle will be hidden behind the light blue triangle on the right side.