ABSTRACT
Working with textiles gives children the opportunity to explore familiar and unusual materials: both making and decorating them. They can learn to construct fabrics and textiles from materials such as wool, thread, string and other fibres or by joining and reforming existing fabrics to make new ones. Learning can also be focused on adding surface decoration in a variety of ways including some techniques children will be familiar with using on paper such as printing, painting and drawing as well as those specific to fabric decoration such as stitching, dyeing and appliqué. The textures of the materials used can be engaging for children as a sensory as well as a visual experience. In this chapter the following areas will be considered:
● Subject knowledge that underlies teaching
● Teaching children to make and decorate fabrics and textiles
Exploring this part of the art curriculum can be an opportunity to explore traditional craft techniques as well as more contemporary applications and combinations of these. There may be people connected with the school or in the local community who are practitioners of some crafts and techniques and can share their expertise. Textiles are familiar to children around the home and school and these can be appreciated anew by exploring them more closely.
