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| Washcloth Angel |
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| Washcloth Snowman |
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| TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Animal Projects for Crafters, Teachers, and Children |
The book is now available
online in soft cover!
Welcome to washcloth crafts!
Rubber bands are used in making the TerryGami washcloth critters and ornaments, but yarn, string, or any material that can be tied can also be used. So, if you live in an area where they are not readily available or for some reason you would prefer not to use them, all you need is a string of some sort.
Rubber bands come in all different colors and sizes, and now, with the new silly rubber bands, they come in all different shapes! I’ve not tested the strength of the silly rubber bands, so I can recommend them yet, but I will buy a package soon and let you know if they are strong enough to be used with washcloth crafts. I hope they are because they will add a little more piazza to a TerryGami Party.
Rubber bands come in all different colors and sizes, and now, with the new silly rubber bands, they come in all different shapes! I’ve not tested the strength of the silly rubber bands, so I can recommend them yet, but I will buy a package soon and let you know if they are strong enough to be used with washcloth crafts. I hope they are because they will add a little more piazza to a TerryGami Party.
For TerryGami, I like to use the medium-sized, colorful rubber bands that come packaged and wrapped together in the form of a ball. These can be found, for the most part, at discount department and office supply stores. Craft stores sometimes have them on their dollar isles.
Have the kids match the colors to the washcloths, so if they fail to cover the rubber band properly, it won’t be noticeable. Remember, string, yarn, twine and other materials are also other options to use instead of rubber bands.
There are other rubber bands to consider, when doing washcloth crafts, like orthodontic or retainer rubber bands. For example, on the ears of the Hare in the upcoming book, a retainer rubber band works perfectly to hold the ears together.They are especially good to use in an area where the rubber band should not show. So, if your kids have braces and those tiny rubber bands are everywhere, save some of them for a TerryGami project.
Also, when home schooling, consider teaching the kids about rubber bands. For example, who invented them? How are they manufactured? What are they called in other countries? What other types of rubber bands are there? For example, ranger bands used by the military are hand cut from inner tubes and are strong, durable, and weather resistant. (I am glad I added factoids to the books because I learn something new every time.)
There are other rubber bands to consider, when doing washcloth crafts, like orthodontic or retainer rubber bands. For example, on the ears of the Hare in the upcoming book, a retainer rubber band works perfectly to hold the ears together.They are especially good to use in an area where the rubber band should not show. So, if your kids have braces and those tiny rubber bands are everywhere, save some of them for a TerryGami project.
Also, when home schooling, consider teaching the kids about rubber bands. For example, who invented them? How are they manufactured? What are they called in other countries? What other types of rubber bands are there? For example, ranger bands used by the military are hand cut from inner tubes and are strong, durable, and weather resistant. (I am glad I added factoids to the books because I learn something new every time.)
Rubber bands are easy and quick to use, once the kids get the hang of how to manipulate them. It is a test in dexterity to figure out how to go about wrapping a rubber band around something. What we may take for granted, children may require some tips on how to cope, especially young children (or those with a brain injury or a handicap). Instruct them to slip the rubber band over their fingers and thumb, and then stretch the rubber band out. Grab the cloth and pull one end through. Twist the rubber band to make a loop, and then stretch that loop over the fingers and thumb and pull the cloth through again. I have seen kids struggle, so this simple tip will make it easy for them.
Removing rubber bands from terrycloth can be a problem because it can cause a lot of snags, so it is best just to cut them off. With the Angel or Snowman, for example, if you want to sew through the neck to stabilize it, cut off the rubber band. Snags can be trimmed, but if you can prevent them from occurring in the first place, all the better.
A word of caution: When using rubber bands, keep them away from babies and toddlers, or small children who like to put things in their mouths, and animals. After a craft session or party, have the kids check the floor for anything they may have dropped. It will save time, materials, and perhaps the family dog!
Happy Crafting!
~Terry
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