Embroidery with children

Needle Weaving on Daisy Stitch

Another interesting weaving activity is for children to create their own warp threads on a piece of fabric.  The fabric needs to be backed with a piece of cotton (I often use old handkerchiefs!) and it must be held taut in a small frame.  Long stitches in the form of a large daisy can then form warp threads which provide the basis for weaving.  Make sure there are an odd number of “petals” on the daisy. Thread a bodkin or large-eyed blunt chenille needle with one or several long threads and weave under and over the threads, round and round until the warp stitches are full.   These attractive pieces make lovely cards when mounted in a card with a cut-out centre so that it acts as a frame.

Older children may like to vary their weaving technique by going back over each warp thread to create ribs, as seen in the blue weaving.

The warp threads can be raised by a large bead, as shown.  The aim here was to create the impression of a shell.

Warp threads can be arranged in any way on fabric.  Parallel lines produce a mini loom that can be worked on to form a square or rectangular weaving.

Next time we will see how other unusual, but simple looms, can be made

If you would like to do some hands-on work with Judith, this month she will be running a two-morning workshop on Beading for Arran Visual Arts. This is scheduled for the weekend of August 20th and 21st, at the Rangers Centre in the Brodick Castle grounds, each morning session running from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm.  She’ll bring samples of finished work and lots of materials to be used, and as an additional bonus, members of the Dippen Beaders will be with her to add individual help. 

The single charge for the two-day sessions is £35, or £25 if you are an AVA member. (At only £12 a year, this is well worth doing.) If you would like to come, send a cheque payable to Arran Visual Arts to Alison Barr at 6, Manse Crescent, Brodick, KA27 8AS.