Weaving Project with Sara Tall

"Weaving is such a versatile project. Materials can be found everywhere! The sewing scrap stash, out in the woods, the beach, even the recycling bin. All of these places hold great materials. I especially love weaving because it is so wonderful for fine motor development in children" - Sara Tall (a.k.a. Sara Maleski)

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Weaving is such a versatile project. Materials can be found everywhere! The sewing scrap stash, out in the woods, the beach, even the recycling bins. All of these places hold great materials. I especially love weaving because it is so wonderful for fine motor development in children.

Here are some of the great benefits:

• Hand-eye coordination

• Understanding patterns and sequencing (essential for later language and numeracy development)

• Skills such as naming colors and concepts such as up and down.

• Weaving is a calming activity. It really promotes relaxation.

So let’s get started! Here is a list of materials to both build a simple loom and weaving materials.

You will need:

1. A cardboard box with a deep middle

2. Golf tees (10-20 or big tacks will work too)

3. Yarn for warp (vertical strings)

4. Various materials for weft (horizontal strings). I chose fabric, ribbon, and sticks but it’s totally up to you!

Mark each end of your box in increments of one inch. Keep an eye on your marks as you want them to match up vertically.

Poke your golf tees into the box on marks made at inch increments. Make a little loop and slip it over the first tee. Now wind your warp! Start with the first tee and make your way around top to bottom going around each tee. Make a little loop around your last tee (pretty snug).

Now you do to do the fun part - make your weft! Begin by weaving your first material over and under your warp strings. On your next material, go under and over. Repeat under you have filled the loom with marvelous materials!

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Here is a picture of my finished weaving. My plan is to find other materials and start all over! I hope you enjoy and post pics so we can see your beautiful art!