Docent: Sandi Lyman

Grade: 6th

Date: October 2015




Medium:  Natural fibers and elements of nature




Reason for Lesson:  This lesson was designed to explore the medium of natural weaving using the Tabby weaving method. This was an opportunity for students to experiment with a different art medium




Lessons should include one of the Elements
of Art: The element of art highlighted in this lesson is texture, color, form, and pattern




Label:  texture, color, form, and pattern




Prep Time: 3 hours




Preparation prior to lesson:  Gather smalls sticks (4 per student) cut sticks to equal lengths. Cut paper, feathers, fabric, leaves to equal lengths to weave through the loom




Class Time:  Class instruction time was 1 hour. If the students did not finish it was an easy project for them to finish on their own during free time.




Materials:  Sticks, twine, fabric, feathers, patterned paper, yarn, pipe cleaners, ribbon

1. Pick four sticks that for the most part, same size and length. 

2. Using a short piece of twine, tie two sticks together at the corner, repeat at each corner. Making sure they are tight and pressing the loom flat on this table in between each tie

3. To make the Warp, use a long piece of twine and and tie it to the top part of the loom.

Take the twine down to the bottom part of the loom and wrap it around the stick. This will keep the twine tight as you go up and down with the twine making the entire Warp. 
This is very important to insure having a nice tight Warp.

4. After repeating the wrapping, tie it off onto the stick.

5. Now you are ready to weave! Pick out about 13-15 pieces to weave. 
We will be using the Tabby method of weaving. As shown here:

If your piece that you're weaving is long enough turn and go back through. Using the "tabby" method. Going "over - under" and the next run "under - over" Let the ends just hang off the sides. We will trim them at the end.

6. Using half of a Popsicle stick, you can tape the piece you are weaving and guide it through the warp a lot easier. Use a plastic fork to carefully push the piece up toward the top of the loom. This will prevent any big gaps

Repeat the steps of weaving until you have filled your loom. If you have any long prices hanging off the sides, trim with scissors. 

Here are some amazing examples of nature weaving: