Washcloth Crafts, Make the Graduation Owl for your favorite students!

Are you making the owl for a whole class or group? 
Click here:
Graduation Owl Assembly Line Tips

Available in hard cover and soft cover!

Washcloth Graduation Owl (Red Book)

Both TerryGami books are available online in 

the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe, too!

Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Also check out:

TerryGami Website

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Etsy

Welcome to washcloth crafts! 

The Graduation Owl was the first critter I ever designed over 20 years ago for my boys’ kindergarten classes. Of course, the owl can be used for any age group, especially if you roll up a little cash to tuck inside the tummy.  Other treats can be a candy kiss or a plastic toy or a promise note for dinner and a movie or other activities which can also be a special surprise for the graduate.

A little Velcro on each side of the owl's body will help to keep the opening closed to prevent anything valuable from falling out. The owl doesn’t necessarily require any sewing, unless you want to sew up the front and back of the body and even that is optional. Also, you can use googly eyes for large, round eyes.

 As noted in the Owl Tips, if you are making them for a whole classroom, start early cutting out the various parts little by little, and then assemble the owls all at once. (See the link at the very top of the page to get the tips.)  Make some extra owls for siblings and friends, if you have extra washcloths.  Remember, kids like a variety of colors, especially if you can’t find tan cloths, although Wal-Mart almost always has tan cloths.  Look for packages of 9 for $3.60 a pack near the dishtowels.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Share the Cost with a Friend!

          Washcloth Girl Tortoise

Books are sold online at Barnes and Noble and Amazon!

 See the links below!

              Washcloth Boy Tortoise

TerryGami books are available in 
the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe, too!

Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Also check out:

TerryGami Website

Facebook

Twitter

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Etsy

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

When starting out with washcloth crafts, why not share the cost with a friends interested in the craft, too?

The initial purchases for the craft can be split two ways and still give each person the ability to make many critters.  Here is a list of things that can be easily cut in half or split up:

Washcloths -- packs of 18 cloths -- cost $4

Different colors of sticky-back foam board, plain or glittered -- (a half of a board will go a very, very long way) -- cost $.99 or $1.50 a piece

Ribbon or Craft Trim -- (or use a skein of yarn you have on hand) -- cost $.99 or $2

Non-toxic and non-flammable fabric glue -- (you will need this even when using sticky- back variety of foam board in order for it to stick to the material)-- put half of it in a small, air tight jar -- $8 -$9

Look for the small packages of thread, which come in multiple colors at dollar stores -- (or check to see if you have the colors you need on hand) -- $1- $2

There are all kinds of rubber bands to choose from and you can even use the bracelet crazy bands to add a  little more fun to a TerryGami party. Lately I have been using the tiny rubber bands used for hair, which come in packages of 500 for about $2. Also, the elastics for hair, which come in multiple colors, can be used, too.  I like to match the rubber bands to the cloth when possible.

Of course, it is always best to pick the critters you want to make before you go to the store. 

The glue and foam board will last forever because not much is required for each critter. As you work, keep the glue covered so it won't dry up (very important especially with fabric glue). As far as needles go, I really like daring or yarn needles the best, but plastic needles do work well, too.

I also recommend the tubs of hole punches that have a variety of shapes, for example, small, medium and large round, and star and heart shapes are used the most.  The small round hole punches can be used for buttons on a doll's clothing and for wing decorations on the angels or tooth fairies. It is nice to have a variety on hand.

The different hole punches make it easy to turn a girl critter into a boy and vice versa. See the tortoise above.  Just use hearts for the girl critters, and circles and triangles for the boy critters. Note that the back of the tortoise can be decorated, and, also, that the tortoise can be a turtle, with a little modification of the legs, as shown in the instructions.

Craft hole punches used to be sold separately for $2 a piece, so sometimes you can just buy the one you need. Also, not all of the paper hole punches will work on foam board because not a lot of space is provided to slide the foam board into position, look before you buy, if you plan to use foam board. Of course, there are many options for the facial features and decorations to use instead of foam board, like acrylic gems, felt, buttons, etc.

Children's Fiskars scissors work really well for cutting multiple layers of washcloths and usually cost about $3 in discount department stores or online. While most TerryGami designs do not require any cutting of the terrycloth, the kids will need scissors to cut the thread. Blunt-end scissors are best when working with children.

What is nice about the initial cost of washcloth crafts is that most of the supplies seem to last almost forever.  The only thing you will need to keep in constant supply are washcloths, and this is  relatively inexpensive to do.  One package of washcloths can make 18 one-cloth projects, nine two-cloth, and six three-cloth projects. If there is a color in the pack you do not use, you can use it for cleaning, dusting, bathing, or washing the car.

Quite often, too, the things you need are already in your craft cupboard!

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Angels for Baby or Bridal Shower Favors

Washcloth Angel Boy Instructions available on Etsy only.

            Washcloth Angel Girl Instructions available on Etsy only.

Links:
The TerryGami books are available online at:

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Etsy
Angel Instructions are on Etsy!

Welcome to washcloth crafts!
These one cloth angels are very easy to shape and sew. They can be used as a favor to hold a fragrant sachet bag or a piece of  wrapped chocolate candy for a bridal or baby shower anytime of year, but especially at Christmas time. Just tuck the treat inside of the tummy or skirt of the angel.

 As a bridal or baby shower favor, the angels can also be used as ornaments. To turn them into ornaments, string a strand of gold lame (or fishing line) with a needle through the top of the head, and then tie it off to form a loop.

For a little more glitz, use acrylic gems, and then dust them with fine, white glitter or fairy dust.

For a child wedding guest, the angels can hold a plastic toy ring or an ice cube to soothe a boo boo. Attach a little card to the Boo Boo Angel, explaining how to use it (poem is included in the instructions).

Eighteen thin, white washcloths can be purchased at discount department stores for $4 a package. The angels are inexpensive and fun to make and can be used in a variety of ways to suit each guest. Grandma may like a sachet, but your younger friends or family members may like to use the angel as a Christmas tree ornament, or they may rather have a dark chocolate truffle inside of their angel.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Teach kids a new craft this summer!

 Both books are available soft cover! 

Available in the UK, Canada, Europe and Australia soon.

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Etsy

Welcome to washcloth crafts!
 
The TerryGami books can be easily used as a teaching tool or workbook.  A wide variety of materials can be used to spark the imagination:  colorful terrycloth washcloths and rubber bands, yarn, foam board, felt, glass gems, sequins, painted wood pieces and quilt batting if the project requires stuffing. 

The children can start with the list of factoids in the books. They can then search for more interesting facts about a critter or holiday icon either on the web, at the library or just from the books and magazines you have at home, like "Ranger Rick."

 Many academic subjects come into play with this craft:
     *History:  The factoid page list how a holiday icon came into being.
     *Science:  The factoids provide information about an animal's habitat,  needs and characteristics.
     *Math:  Measuring is necessary when making a critter or holiday ornament.
     *Language:  Children have to read and decipher the instructions.
     *Fine motor skills: Children have mold, roll, and shape the washcloths, and, also, sew or glue them. It's great for improving their dexterity.
     *Learning new a new skill:  Children will be able to create toys for themselves and others with just a few rubber bands or a piece of string and a piece of cloth. 

Finding and purchasing supplies can be another opportunity to teach. For example: What materials do we need?  Where do we need to go to buy them?  Do we already have craft items on hand that can be used?  How inexpensively can each critter be made and what price would it sell for at a craft show or on an online store like Etsy?

Have the children read the TerryGami instructions first and see if they can figure out how to make the project on their own.  It may seem like work to them, but if you make a game of it, they might find it fun to tell you how to make the critter.  Teaching them to have enough patience to read through the instructions and figure it out themselves is a lesson in and of itself.

Why not teach the kids a little bit about terrycloth or the other craft supplies used like ribbon or yarn?  From what I can find on the Internet, terrycloth has at least been around since the middle of the 1800s.  The material and weaving technique was invented in France.  The French used silk to weave this new, looped fabric, but later, Englishmen made the material, first from worsted (a wool yarn), and then later, from cotton.  The Englishman Samuel Holt brought it to the United States, patented the looped weaving technique, and later sold it to a cotton manufacturer.  The loops in the fabric make the material very water absorbent.  This is why washcloths and towels are made from terrycloth.

Teaching the children to hand sew is another opportunity for learning washcloth crafts can offer. Kids just learning to sew can get great results their first time sewing on terrycloth.  If the thread matches the color of the washcloth, the stitches can barely be seen, especially if you instruct them to keep their stitches small. If you want to teach  a child to sew on buttons, use buttons for the facial features on the critter.  The snowman requires buttons down the front of his body and small buttons can be used for his facial features.

There are many, many ways to teach using TerryGami books, but don't tell the kids!!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Girl Scout 100th Anniversary!

Go green!!

Make the bear green and add a green felt vest!

The books are available online at:

Amazon

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Etsy

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

The Girl Scouts organization is 100 years old this year, and in
case you didn't know, there is a year long celebration going on
everywhere.

Yesterday, Martha Stewart had a show dedicated to the
organization. She had on display all of the different uniforms
girls have worn over the years. Many of the uniforms I
had never seen before.

Girls are a lot luckier now when it comes to crafts. In my day,
the most exciting thing we did in the way of crafts was to weave
a mat out of newspapers. Now, there are so many options that it
can't be too difficult to find something really neat for the girls
to make, although, on a weekly basis, I am sure it is a chore.

TerryGami is an option.  It has many possibilities to help the girls
earn merit badges. Toy making is one, and while it does involve
hand sewing, it may not be the kind of project the Scouts are
looking for to fulfill the sewing badge requirements. Martha made
a blouse for her sewing project, so the badge may require machine
sewing. If there is a badge for hand sewing project, TerryGami may
fit the bill. If the critters are made to sell, then the entrepreneurial
badge may be fulfilled, as well as toy making. Pick a simple one
cloth project so it isn't expensive or a chore to make a lot of them.

TerryGami projects may suit troop gift exchanges, too. At Christmas,
the angel instructions on Etsy may be a fun project. The angels are
easy to make and can be used as sachets or ornaments or as boo
boo angels.

Another option is to make a green bear. Green washcloths can usually
be found.  It is a three cloth project, so it might be best as a special
keepsake for  the girls themselves. Add a green felt vest and she/he
is good to go!

A TerryGami book with some craft supplies might be a nice end of
the year gift for a troop leader. She can map out many of next year's
projects for weekly meetings over the summer months. Instead of
a gift basket, fill up one of those neat craft organizers found in
discount department stores with a book and craft supplies.  See
the side bar at www.terrygami.com for a list to fill a TerryGami
gift basket.

Happy anniversary girls and happy crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Don't let the kids get too cool for crafts!

Lots of fun summer ideas to choose from!

TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects!

The books are available online at:

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Etsy

Happy Mother’s Day! All moms deserve one!

Washcloth Crafts!

My mother was always doing one craft or another when I was a teenager.  I was totally uninterested in any craft at the time, although I do remember stringing a few beads to make bead flowers back then.  It wasn’t until I got to college and watched my roommate engrossed in doing a crewel piece that I became interested in crafts. Mind you, at home, my mother did beautiful crewel pieces that she framed and hung in every room of our home, but it took someone my own age to get me interested in any form of what is deemed a craft.

I wonder now, if my mother had insisted that I try it before I knocked it, if things would have been different. I wonder if it would have given my mother and I something we could have shared because especially since I went crewel crazy in college.  The craft craze only got worse after when I married and had kids to make things for. 

After crewel work came an interest in ceramics, macramé and punch needle embroidery.  When my kids came along, the craft of the day was woodworking (a craft created in Puckane, Ireland – it is like stained glass but instead of using glass, stained pieces of wood are used), and then it was on to wood burning, crochet, actual glass stained glass using glass, quilting, Christmas sweatshirt painting, bandanna beading and lollipop making and more.  Mind you I haven’t mastered all of these crafts. Now I am trying to learn how to knit with out skipping a stitch and working on TerryGami.  Unfortunately, knitting has been put to the side for now.

Maybe this should be a lesson to young mothers and even grandmothers out there.  Try to get your child or grandchild interested in a crafts now, and then maybe someday you both will have a passion for a craft you both can share. Start when the children are young, otherwise they will be too "cool" to even consider it.

Moms, enjoy your day and happy crafting!

~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Let kids make a circus or zoo this summer!

Make a circus this summer! Monkey Instructions are in this book!

Washcloth Firecracker

Make the gnome into a clown!

 Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Also check out:

TerryGami Website

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Purchase the Firecracker and Heart Box Instructions at the Etsy link below.  
They are not available in either TerryGami  book.

Etsy

Welcome to Washcloth Crafts!

One thing nice about TerryGami is that there is something for every season. 

Right now you are probably thinking about what would be special to do for
the kids for their end of the year school party at school or something special
to do to wind up the end of the home-school year.  The Graduation Owl can
either be made for classmates or, in a home-school situation, the children
themselves can make the owls. If they are made in a classroom setting,
just prepare all of the materials a head of time, so the children can
assemble them easily.  Try using googly eyes for a fun change. I used
these eyes on the original owls when I made them for my children's
kindergarten classes. Add a treat or some cash to the tummy.  The owl
can serve to deliver cash to a child of any age!

Over the summer months, there are all kinds of  creatures to make in
the second book which has animals, pirate parrots, and gnomes. 

For 4th of July parties, there are two types of favors to make, either party
poppers or firecrackers.  Anything really can be made in red, white, and blue.
For example, the heart boxes can be made with white washcloths, and then
use red and blue foam board or gem stars for decoration. The heart box and
firecracker instructions can be purchased separately on Etsy. See the link
above.

For summer, the kids can make their own zoo. In the animal book, they will find
instructions for monkeys, tortoises, hares, bears and parrots.  Build circus cages
with cardboard boxes for the animals. Let the kids make the animals in all different
colors.  Turn the gnome into a clown by putting a head of red yarn for the hair and
a ruffle around the neck for the collar.

~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Think Bible School or Sunday School Craft!

Washcloth Girl Boo Boo Angel

The books are for sale online now!!

Washcloth Boy Boo Boo Angel

Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Also check out:

TerryGami Website

Facebook

Twitter

Flickr

Purchase Angel Instructions at the Etsy link below.  
They are not available in either TerryGami  book.

Etsy

Welcome to Washcloth Crafts!

In honor of my friends who have boy grandchildren, the Boo Boo Boy Angel Instructions are available on Etsy!  Just tuck an ice cube in their tummies to soothe a child's boo boo.

The angels can be used as sachets. Just add a bag of potpourri in the tummy or skirt.  Of course, they can  be Christmas ornaments, too. Experiment with the facial features. Try small acrylic gems instead of foam board.

Just in case you are thinking ahead, Moms and grandmothers, consider making the angels for the young children in your lives or teach the older children how to make them. The angels are one cloth projects, which means with a package of 18 cloths, you can make them inexpensively for a whole class of elementary and/or pre-school students. Now I know I am not the only craft nut who would do this, or am I?!  I think most would agree, kids deserve a treat, and they are worth it!

See  Etsy for both the boy and girl Angel Instructions and more.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry