Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Fun

I've been working with the fourth graders at Claire's school to create art quilts! It's been so fun. Here is the first quilt we've completed so far.
It doesn't have a title yet. I'm hoping the kids come up with something clever next week.

We used fusible applique to create this collaborative quilt. Each student made a house or a car and then we placed them on the background which I prepared for them. Then the kids filled in with all kinds of other things they thought you'd find in a neighborhood... like a lady with a giant puffy white hat. Can you see her?

I did the quilting. It was super fun to follow all their wacky, wonky shapes.
There are five fourth grade classes at our school. So I'm working on completing the other four quilts. They will be auctioned by silent bidding at the March PTA meeting. Funds will go to the art department. (Our art teacher's current budget for supplies for the entire school for the entire year is $300. Ahem.)

I hope the quilts raise a lot of money, but more satisfying for me personally was the opportunity to spend a lot of time with these creative, energetic kids and introduce them to fiber art! It was also wonderful for them to see what they can create in a collaborative way rather than working exclusively on their own projects. I hope I helped them realize a bit of their own creative potential. They helped me realize some of my creative potential.

10 comments:

Kristin L said...

This is adorable! It's like a Grandma Moses painting. I love that you found a more creative way to put the kids' work together than just a bunch of separate blocks. I look forward to seeing what kinds of scenes the other classes make!

Carmen Rose said...

Bless your heart, this is SO cool!

Anonymous said...

This is simply awesome. It looks like a ton of work, but I bet you had fun.
Please tell Claire it's great.
You are inpiring me to think about a fabric mural for the library...

Hannah C Beattie said...

Love, Love , Love - the quilt.

Françoise said...

This is wonderful! I like to look at all the details, especially the people, so cute.
What size is it?

Anonymous said...

HI Deborah! That quilt you made looks cool.
I might try that soup recipe this weekend. looks good! emily

Terri Stegmiller said...

How cute is that???? What fun! The kids are definitely coming up with a great design.

Amy said...

Debra, this is wonderful! Can't wait to see the rest of the quilts as you guys complete them.

.kp. said...

fabulous!!!!!

i love everything about this project and your involvement in it. most of them would probably have never experienced quilting were it not for you. seriously.

handwork for children, and adults, is so important.

Melly Testa said...

Wow! I have less talent than some of these kids! I am jealous.