Paper Quilts

Procedures

1. Precut butcher wrap to accommodate six to eight students. Each length will represent a "quilt."
2. The easiest way to establish butcher wrap section sizes is to allocate one quilt per seating, for example, one per desk cluster or worktable.
3. Cut as needed.
4. You will find that providing a grid on the butcher paper for the paper quilt "patches" is an efficient approach to this lesson. See figure below.

5. Measure squares or diamonds in pencil to match the colored paper squares students will be "quilting." Six inches is a good size for squares; leave at least a three-inch border on the butcher wrap between the squares along the outside edge. Precutting construction paper squares also saves time.
6. Students will have to be told in advance of this lesson to begin saving and retrieving bits of particular scrap papers.
7. The papers may include gift wrap, greeting cards or postcards, favorite candy wrappers, ticket stubs, and otherwise appealing design paper, such as the wrapper of a special soap. The greater the personal meaning, the better for the quilting bee.
8. You may contribute with back-up scraps of all kinds.
9. If you have a real handmade quilt, bring it in.
10. Show students illustrations of American quilt designs or any examples of actual fabric quilts you might have.
11. Point out that the saving of fabric from garments long since worn out was the basis for quilts-an early form of what we now call "recycling." How were quilts made? Some combined patchwork and applique. Try to analyze sewing techniques based on your samples and references.
12. Consider quilt patterns and subjects as well as the meanings some might have to the artisan. Also note the social nature of quilting, which included the opportunity for folks to get together and share experiences and news.
13. Ask students to show some of the papers they brought in and to tell of their significance.
14. Distribute precut squares, scissors, glue, and oil pastels.
15. Cut scrap papers into desired patterns. These may be representational or straightforward designs.
16. Glue into place.
17. Do as many "patches" as class time will allow. Just be sure "quilting" looks complete.
18. Construction paper scraps may be used as "filler."
19. Oil pastels may be used to indicate "stitches."
20. Students work their signature or initials onto the patch.
21. Distribute butcher wrap, oil pastels, and glue.
22. Glue patches into spaces provided by premeasured grid of brown paper. The area of one's immediate workspace is the fairest way to define "territory." If any squares come up short, students may fill in with extra scrap paper.
23. Each quilt will have a motif that will be drawn into the borders to unify all diverse patchwork.
24. The group of students working on their quilt will agree on one common motif, for example, hearts, stripes, snowflakes, stars, daisies, etc.
25. Each student will be responsible for the borders in his/her work area and will interpret the agreed-upon motif in his or her own way.
26. Completed quilts should look full and rich, just like the fabric counterpart does. The finished product should make us forget that we are looking at paper.
27. How many special memories have been "stitched" into these classic quilts?
28. Preserve the artistry on the wall and display.