Weather Quilt

Use Crayola® Fabric Crayons to make a class quilt!

• 1.

  A teacher or parent volunteers prepare fabric quilt squares. Use white or light-colored, prewashed 100% synthetic fabric or fabric blends with at least 60% synthetic fibers. Cut fabric into the desired quilt-square size.

• 2.

  Students measure and cut paper squares the same size as the quilt squares, using Crayola Scissors. This paper is called a dye sheet, and will be used to transfer the design (in reverse) to the quilt fabric.

• 3.

  Draw designs and/or write words on the dye sheet with Crayola Fabric Crayons. Remember, letters must be written backward. To make this easier to do, draw letters with a black Crayola Broad-Line Washable Marker on the back of the dye sheet. Turn over, and fill in the backward letters. When ironed on, the words will be readable.

• 4.

  Blend and mix fabric crayon colors. For example, magenta and orange can be blended to make red. For texture, leave crayon crumbs on the dye sheet. For sharper images, brush crumbs off.

• 5.

  Place a pad of recycled newspaper on a safe ironing surface in a well-ventilated area. Cover the newspaper with white paper. Place a decorated dye sheet face down on the quilt fabric. Cover with a second sheet of white paper.

• 6.

  Adults should do the ironing. Set the iron to NO steam and COTTON. Slowly press on the entire design with steady pressure. Lift the iron to move to other areas. When the design begins to show through the back of the dye sheet, check the color transfer by

• 7.

  Decorated squares and quilts can be machine washed and ironed. Do not bleach and do not place in a dryer.

Benefits

• Students observe weather conditions, record them in journals for a week, and understand how weather affects their lives.
• Young artists represent how weather affects the way they play and live on a quilt square.
• Children document their study of the weather and quilting with a documentation panel to display with the quilt.

Adaptations

• Hang the quilt from a large round dowel rod (add fabric loops at the top). Display it in an area where others can appreciate the creativity. Make a documentation board with photographs showing all the steps necessary to make the Weather Quilt.
• Study the weather in depth. Invite a weather scientist to talk with the class, or visit a weather station. Measure the wind and precipitation. Record the rise and fall of the barometer. Keep track of how often weather predictions were accurate.
• Invite quilt makers to show how traditional quilts are made. Study patterns used for quilts by the Hopi and the Amish. Do an adaptation of the play "Quilters" or write an original play.
• Younger children and special needs students may want to sketch their quilt design on the paper square with colored pencils before adding fabric crayon.