Thursday, April 12, 2012

Washcloth Crafts, Use TerryGami as a tool for teaching!



Available online. See the links below.
15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects in this book!

Use to hold treats or cash!
 Available in the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe

Both books are now available online in soft cover!


Welcome to washcloth crafts! 
My first intention, when designing the TerryGami  books, was to expand washcloth crafts for children and adults alike. Later I realized the potential for the book to be a teaching tool, so I added the factoids, not realizing that the craft itself could teach children a lot of things, like measuring, cutting, sewing, designing, sculpting and deciphering instructions. The craft is great for improving children's dexterity and for expanding their imaginations, too.

The factoid list offered in the book can just be the beginning of the interesting facts kids can find on the Internet and in reference books about a critter or holiday icon. Have the children add a few more interesting facts to the list, or you can, as they make the critter.

Hand sewing is a life skill for girls and boys alike. Sewing a hem or sewing on a button is something everyone should know how to do no matter his or her gender.  

Reading and deciphering the instructions is another skill and a handy one to have with so many things in need of assembly or programing these days.

Crafts are used to improve dexterity. Washcloth crafts deliver in a big way in this regard because children must roll and shape the cloths, attach them with a rubber band or string, and then sew or glue them. They then have to choose and prepare the materials for the facial features, too. 

It is amazing to see what children come up with, for example, pink, yellow and blue tortoises and hares (in the upcoming book), instead of green and brown ones. Some kids put big smiling faces on their critters and others no face at all.

In the end, they have a critter to play with or display or one they can snuggle with in bed.

All in all, it is a fun way to learn how to sew by hand, as well as reinforce other skills.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

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