STORYBOOK QUILT WORKSHOP

Concept:

The Storybook Quilt Workshop gives students the opportunity to share stories through quilt making, art, and writing.   Participants are introduced to the history of quilt making as they explore various techniques to create personal story quilt blocks.  Open classroom discussions on family traditions/histories, communities or personal stories encourage participants to develop their designs.  Students may also bring/include personal memorabilia to further personalize their work. Basic sewing techniques, including embellishments and writing on fabric, are demonstrated to help in construction of their stories.  Each completed block then serves as a fabric storybook quilt page. Once technique is learned, construction of additional pages is possible. Removable pages allow for an exhibition of participants work at completion of workshop. This project allows each student to work at her/his own pace.  Number of completed pages per participant may vary. Examples of story quilts included: “Storm in the Hall” quilt by Instructor and “Tar Beach Story Quilt” Story Book by Faith Ringgold. This project builds self-confidence as it promotes “imaginative and creative thinking” not only in the world of art – but in other disciplines as well.  Students are encouraged to explore and develop their “hidden talents”. Future projects are approached with more confidence.

General Goals

Introduce students to Story Quilts as a Narrative Art form. Promote creative thinking and concept of art as a language and/or “visual language.”

Explore various cultures and how customs are passed on through the tradition of storytelling.

Stimulate and develop hidden artistic talents of students through encouragement and participation in open class discussion on family traditions/history and the communities in which they live.

Execute construction of stories by creation of individual quilt blocks.

Construct several individual fabric blocks (pages) which will be formed into a Fabric Art Book.  Removable pages are exhibited separately.

This project allows each student to work at her/his own pace and promotes a pride in achievement.

Objectives

The student will create individual quilt blocks which will be formed into a Fabric Art Book.

Standards

South Carolina Visual Arts Standards: Grades K – 12

Standard 1: The student will demonstrate competence in the use of ideas, materials, techniques, and processes in the creation of works of visual art.

Standard 3: The student will examine the content of works of visual art and use elements from them in creating his or her own works.

Standard 5: The student will analyze and assess the characteristics and qualities of his or her own works of visual art and those of others.

Standard 6: The student will make connections between the visual arts and other arts disciplines, other content areas, and the world.