Wonderful Wearables

History and culture head for the fashion runway as you study fabric and clothing from other times and places.

• 1.

  An adult can prepare a paper length by placing it under water and crumpling it twice. Flatten and dry it. Use a hair dryer to speed the drying process if necessary. Iron dry paper on low heat (adults only).

• 2.

  Brush Crayola® Watercolors all over the prepared paper, spreading wet, juicy color onto paper that has been dampened with water. Dry, then have an adult iron the paper again.

• 3.

  Fold, gather, manipulate or cut the paper into basic costume shapes. As needed, younger children can develop costume shapes laying large paper dolls on the back of the treated paper, then cut or manipulate paper to fit.

• 4.

  Costume pieces such as flaps and capes might be cut out and glued to basic shapes on one side only so they can open to reveal design details beneath.

• 5.

  Embellish basic costume shapes, then arrange and glue them to a mat or foam board background or over a simple form made from a padded paper towel tube or mailing tube glued to a base. Outer shape layers might be glued on later.

• 6.

  Suggestions for embellishment: <li>Use Crayola Colored Pencils to add design elements. Paint on a thin layer of Premier Tempera in metallic colors for shimmering effects. Add white tempera dots with a pencil tip. Paint other (crumpled or non-crumpled) pap

Benefits

• Students identify the characteristics of fabric from various cultures and historical periods.
• Students make paper "fabric" and create clothing and costumes influenced by specific cultures and time periods.<p> <b>When children wear hand-crafted costumes and masks, make sure the craft does not obstruct the child's vision or impede movement, and kee

Adaptations

• Use recycled grocery bags to make larger, wearable replicas of costumes. Cut bags at seems, then cut pieces and combine to make various articles of clothing. Use paint or markers to design bags to look like fabric of the period or culture you are studyi
• Study African textiles and create Wonderful Wearables to display in a classroom exhibit dedicated to the weaving and dyeing traditions of West African cultures. Investigate the place of cloth in culture as art, for communication, for religious symbolism,
• Design accessories such as jewelry, hats, headdresses, masks, and shoes using Crayola® Model Magic® modeling compound. Embed sequins, beads, pebbles, or shells by pressing into wet Model Magic® forms. Add designs with Crayola® Fine Tip Markers.