You can’t pull the wool over these kid’s eyes! This group learned all about the many and varied uses of at North House Folk School. They practiced felting, sewing, spinning wool, weaving wool, and making useful items like the one depicted in this picture. Photo courtesy of Carolyn Fritz
On February 5th, 6th, and 7th, the fifth-grade students from Sawtooth Elementary and the 4thand 5th-grade students from Birch Grove Elementary joined together at North House Folk School to explore the wonderful world of wool.
The three-day field trip program, Textile Traditions, is a new offering that will engage local fifth-graders each year in learning about history and processes involved in making textiles around the world.
Elise Kyllo, resident artisan at North House Folk School, developed the program and led the field trip with help from retired teacher Mary MacDonald and North House interns Amir Najam and Hannah Stadler. Students were challenged to think about our natural resources in the north and how people traditionally protected themselves from the environment. They considered how the making of clothing has evolved and where our clothing comes from today.
Exploring the qualities of wool, a classic warm and durable material of the north, students practiced making fabric by felting. With the fabric they felted and designed they sewed a variety of useful creations like bags, headbands, and water bottle holders.
They also experienced spinning wool, weaving on a loom, making a group tapestry and needle felting.
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