Emoji Stuffies w/ Painted Faces

My 5th graders are creating Emoji Stuffies!  In the past I've done "ugly dolls" & "shape monsters" for sewing projects with my 4th graders.  We now have 5th grade in elementary, and I decided to move the sewing up to be one of their projects.  I am using Smart-Fab's pre-cut circles.  I purchased them through BLICK(I believe they come in a pack of 100).  They are a great manageable size for students that have no background in sewing.  Doing too large of a project can become extremely overwhelming.  Some of my classes are finding great success...and some are struggling a bit.  The struggle is worth it...I feel sewing is a life skill kids need!  Here are some of the finished results.  They used Sharpie & acrylic paint to create the faces.

 

Sewing with Elementary: Answering Some Questions

Hey friends!  There were a handful of questions that several people asked concerning sewing with elementary students.  Hopefully this quick video answers your questions! If not...please leave me a comment with your question/concern.  I'll try to respond ASAP!

Oh..and if you aren't following me on YouTube..check out my channel & subscribe. I'm going to try to be better about posting more content!! 

https://www.youtube.com/user/TnTedDE 

Monster Dolls / Soft Sculptures

Sculpture is part of our curriculum for 4th grade this nine weeks.  I started with a Nevelson/found object sculpture.  The students really loved it, and I wanted to continue on with sculpture.  I used Oldenburg as the focus artist, and the kids LOVED HIM!!!!!!!!!!!  It has been more of a challenge than I anticipated.  Kids today have almost NO experience when it comes to needles/thread/sewing.  I know my situation is extremely different...growing up in Appalachia with quilters EVERYWHERE.  But a majority of these kids had NO CLUE AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This has inspired me.  This year I'm going to do plastic needle point, and I am planning on doing a button lesson(something practical I'll make artistic). If nothing else..these kids will be able to sew on a button when they leave Mr. E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

If at first you don't succeed..try try again.

???????????

What's that definition of insanity? 

What have I gotten myself into?!  I thought my 4th Graders would love to create some ugly doll "ish" type soft sculptures.  I thought...sure...no problem...they got this!!!!  Fun & interesting transition going from Louise Nevelson to Claus Oldenburg....right?!??!  Well, it has been a struggle, but each day I have high hopes it will be better.  I've made some modifications to the lesson...and that has helped.  The first day I let the children pick a shape to make a pattern of...trace it onto the burlap..and on with the lesson.  Sizes were an issue...shapes were an issue....it just did not go the way I had hoped.  SOOOOO...the next day I let them use my watercups (which are plastic tumbler cups..short and stocky) to trace out the circles. YES..I MADE THEM ALL DO CIRCLES!  It was best for all involved in this process.  I'm giving this lesson two class times....cause I think that is all I can handle! ha ha  I'll post finished pictures next week.  

SIDE NOTE:  I use to do an embroidery/quilting lesson...real needles..embroidery floss..the works!!