!!!!!! Ugly Doll Supply Alert !!!!!!

In the fall you may have seen my posts on my 4th grade Ugly Doll project.  There are "extra" costs to such projects, but it is totally worth the investment.  However, you can find some great deals to make it very affordable.  One "trick" I use is for the stuffing.  After Christmas, I hit the stores to find the best sales on Christmas Snow.  That is the white fluff that looks & feels like quilt batting /poly-fil people use under their trees, on mantels, or other decorating for the season.

Right now Dollar General has their Christmas items on sale for $0.25. 

!!!! T  W  E  N  T  Y  - F  I  V  E -  C  E  N  T  S !!!!

I bought all the bags they had.  They aren't huge, but this will be at least 2 yrs worth!!!  I don't always find it every year..so I stock up!   

HAPPY HUNTING FRIENDS!!!

Ugly Dolls Heading Home

I made the kids put their Ugly Dolls/Soft Sculptures together on the last day before they took them home.  I'm thrilled with the results this year.  I'm already excited about next year....I've ordered a pack of smart fab that contains at least 16 different colors!  I think the variety will be amazing.  Here are the "family pictures"!! 

 

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 

Finishing Up Ugly Dolls....

I really fell like this year has been the best "experience" with 4th grade creating ugly dolls/soft sculptures.  Their attitudes were great from the start...they were ready for the adventure.  Some struggled...but I really had no one give up!  That is success.  Here are a few snap shots of students putting the finishing touches on their work....and some finished pieces.

  

Once they are completely done with their creation...I have them write about their creature & their experience creating it.  I had some students ask..."CAN WE CREATE A BACKSTORY?"  

YES! YES! YES!

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS I GAVE THEM TO 

GET THEM GOING ON THE WRITTEN PORTION!

1) What is your ugly doll's name?

2) Tell me about your ugly doll(not just it's physical appearance..but its personality!)

3) What did you enjoy about this project?

4)What did you struggle with during the project?

5) What did you learn from this project?

Dear Wal-Mart Fabric Department....

I have a limited budget....school money & my own pocket.  I try to save..buying things on sale..using my money & resources wisely.  That's what we do as art teachers!!  I think it is in our DNA!  ha ha  I found a product/fabric at Wal-Mart that is perfect for my soft sculpture/ugly doll project.  I use the whole piece..no fabric wasted!!  

Last night when I went to pick up a few more colors...the person in the fabric department was very friendly...very chatty!!  I don't think she was really paying attention to what she was doing.  She cut my fabric crooked & jagged.  I know a lot of people wouldn't think much of it, but I was really bummed. I am going to have to recut that side before cutting the fabric down for my students. #artteacherproblems

Soft Sculptures/Sewing: 4th Grade

Here are the amazing 4th grade Crazy Birds!!

Some of you have seen the progress of my soft sculpture/sewing project on Facebook & Twitter.  I've had many questions, and have tried to answer them the best I could in those formats.  I thought I'd do a blog post...where I can hopefully share a bit more information & answer any questions you might still have!  If not...as always...please feel free to ask me anything!

My students start by selecting the color of Smart-Fab they want for their bird's main body.  They fold that in half(you will need to precut if you get a large roll).  Then they will use the fold as one side of their bird...and draw a desired simple shape...triangle, oval, rectangle, circle all work well.  This will allow one less side to sew...which is a good thing(TRUST ME!).  Regular classroom scissors cut through it pretty well. They then sew the the rest of it together using a large plastic needle and yarn (color of their own choosing).  Remind them to leave about two inches to stuff their birds body.  After it is stuffed..they can finish sewing it up.

Between classes...my students store the body/parts in a lunch sack with their name one.  So helpful!!

Now for the rest of the bird, I have the student use felt.  They will use tacky glue to adhere it to the surface.  This will work if the students use enough tacky glue.  Get the gallon refill ready friends..you will go through a lot.  BUT IT IS WORTH IT!!!!   

SmartFab
This stuff is AMAZING!  Non-woven material....works so well for young inexperienced sewers.  The big plastic needles go through super easy.  

Plastic Needles
I buy these through School Specialty by the dozen.  Expect several to get bent up by student who are doing the wrong thing every year!! (order extra...order some each year)  

The Felt/Supply Station!
I have colors separated out in aluminum roasting pans(they are so handy & cheap!).

Tacky Glue Rules!!!!  I like Elmer's version, but

any good thick tacky glue should do! After keeping after my kids forever about not using too much glue when doing collage....the rules change for this.  More Glue/More Better! :) ha ha

STUFFING!

So after Christmas last year I found "snow" on sale for .50 a bag!! I snatched up several bags knowing this project would come around again!  So keep your eyes open after the holidays.  

The Last of the Ugly Dolls: 4th Grade

They've been so much fun...and I'm sad to see the project finished for the year. The kids have done a beautiful job on them, and I know they're looking forward to taking them home and showing their parents!!

Until Next Year Ugly Dolls!!!!  

Completed Ugly Dolls: 4th Grade

I LOVE MY JOB!  

These Ugly Dolls make me happy!!  The kids are having so much fun adding the details & sewing on the hair.  In the spring I'm planning on having the 4th grade create pictures by sewing buttons onto fabric.  I really want them to not only leave me with a strong art background, but a life skill that they will take with them forever.  If ya didn't realize this...sewing is a lost art/skill!!!