Chinese Floating Fabric

Design and fly a beautiful fabric windsock! This one is decorated with traditional Chinese symbols.

• 1.

  Research Chinese culture, symbols, and traditions. In ancient China the carp was a symbol of endurance, perseverance, fortitude, and good luck. Choose Chinese symbols with which to decorate your windsock.

• 2.

  With Crayola® Scissors, cut white 100% polyester fabric into a piece large enough for a windsock.

• 3.

  <STRONG>Design the carp</STRONG>. Cover your art area with white paper. On the fabric, use Crayola Fabric Crayons to draw the head of a fish (carp) with two large eyes at one end. Fill in the area near the head with colorful scales. On the rest the fabric, draw stripes in various colors.

• 4.

  <STRONG>Set the colors</STRONG>. To make an ironing pad, place white paper or newspaper over an iron-safe surface. Place fabric on ironing pad. Top the crayon design with white paper.

• 5.

  <STRONG>Ironing should be done by an adult in a well-ventilated area</STRONG>. Set iron on synthetic. Press design with slow steady pressure for 1 to 2 minutes. Lift iron to move it. Hold paper in place to prevent blurring. Remove paper carefully. For mor

• 6.

  <STRONG>Assemble the windsock</STRONG>. Fold over the top of the fabric, near the head of the carp, to form a pocket. Leaving a small opening, use Crayola School Glue to attach the turned-over edge to the back of the fabric. Air-dry the glue.

• 7.

  Push a chenille stick through the opening. Twist the ends together to form a circle. Fasten another chenille stem across the circle for added strength.

• 8.

  From the bottom of the windsock, cut between each stripe up to where the stripes meet the scales.

• 9.

  Tie colorful ribbon or yarn on the chenille circle for hanging.

Benefits

• Students explore the multifaceted Chinese culture and how its traditions and holidays have spread around the world.
• Students discover that the Chinese word for carp has almost the same meaning as the Chinese word for profit. Therefore a carp is a lucky symbol.
• Students design and create a carp windsock used to symbolize good luck or good fortune in the Chinese community.

Adaptations

• Carp, according to ancient belief, could transform themselves into dragons upon reaching 100 years of age. Research other interesting Chinese beliefs.
• The name carp is similar to a Chinese word meaning profit, so it is a lucky symbol often used in Chinese paper cutting. Try paper-cutting to design your own lucky symbol.
• Fabric designs can also be drawn (in reverse) on white paper and ironed on fabric using the process outlined.
• Try Crayola Fabric Markers on 50/50 cotton/polyester. Younger students and those with special needs may find these markers easier to use.