EXPLORING FABRIC CRAYONS and FABRIC MARKERS

Students explore a variety of ways to use fabric crayons and fabric markers and then compare the two mediums. 

Required Time

80 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 1 to Grade 8

Subject

Art Techniques
Language Arts
Mathematics

Vocabulary

colour fabric gradation shape space textile art

Materials

Crayola Fabric Markers Crayola Fabric Crayons Crayola Washable Glue Sticks Crayola Scissors Iron Masking Tape Newsprint Paper - 22.9 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12") Bristol Board - 25 cm x 25 cm (10" x 10") - 1 piece per student Polyester Cotton Fabric - 20 cm x 20 cm (8" x 8") - 1 piece per student

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Steps

EXPLORING FABRIC CRAYONS and FABRIC MARKERS - Step One

Step One

  1. Tape the fabric to a piece of Bristol board.
  2. Make sure you put tape on all four sides and pull the fabric tight.
  3. This will keep it from wrinkling while you draw.
EXPLORING FABRIC CRAYONS and FABRIC MARKERS - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Make 4 sketches on a piece of paper, or in your sketchbook to plan how you want to break up the space.
  2. Leave lots of white space and have at least 8 sections. 
EXPLORING FABRIC CRAYONS and FABRIC MARKERS - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Choose the plan you like best, or change it slightly.
  2. Work directly on your fabric.
  3. Begin by outlining the largest areas. 
  4. Remember to use every colour at least once.
  5. Try lots of different ways to apply the colour.
  6. Notice what happens when you change the pressure.
EXPLORING FABRIC CRAYONS and FABRIC MARKERS - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Carefully remove the tape from the fabric when you are finished colouring the whole design.
EXPLORING FABRIC CRAYONS and FABRIC MARKERS - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Place the design between two pieces of newsprint paper.
EXPLORING FABRIC CRAYONS and FABRIC MARKERS - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Set the iron to the synthetic setting NO STEAM.
  2. Slowly iron back and forth over the paper to set the colour.
  3. You will notice some of the wax from the crayons absorbs into the paper.
  4. Do not allow the paper to move or the design may smear.
  5. Keep changing the newsprint paper until no more wax shows through.
EXPLORING FABRIC CRAYONS and FABRIC MARKERS - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Remove the fabric from the newsprint paper.
  2. Notice how the colours have changed.
  3. Cut the fabric into 4 strips about 5 cm x 20 cm.
  4. Use a gluestick to fasten the strips beside each other on the back of your Bristol board.
  5. Leave a small space about 1 cm wide between each strip.
  6. View the work with fresh eyes.
    - What colours do you like the best? Why?
    - How is the marker colour different than the crayon colour?
    - What did you learn about working with fabric markers and fabric crayons?

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  • use fabric markers and fabric crayons to create a variety of effects;
  • build on their own and others’ discoveries to generate new ideas;
  • explain their process;
  • express opinions about the artworks; 
  • support their ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

Extensions

Have students:

Prepare

  1. Place students into groups so they can share crayons and markers.
  2. Cut Bristol board into 25.4 cm x 25.4 cm pieces – 1 per student.
  3. Purchase polyester cotton – 1 metre (yard) will yield about 25 - 20 cm x 20 cm pieces.

Introduction

  1. Explain:
    - fabric markers and fabric crayons are made to be used on fabric;
    - once they are ironed they become permanent so the fabric may be washed;
    - once fabric crayons are ironed the colour becomes brighter.
  2. Tell students that today's class is for experimenting with the fabric markers and fabric crayons so that they can learn as much as possible about how these drawing tools work. 
    - It's a time to play with ideas and see what happens.
    - They should try to get as many different effects as they can, share ideas and learn from each other.
  3. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Divide the space into at least 8 sections.
  2. Colour in the spaces using every colour of the fabric markers and fabric crayons at least once.
  3. Expriment with the colours to get a variety of different effects.
  4. Apply different amounts of pressure to change the intensity of colours.

The Process

  1. Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    I know I am successful when I have:
    - created a design with at least 8 spaces
    - created a variety of effects with the markers and crayons
    - drawn my design directly on fabric
    - used every colour of marker and crayon at least once 
    - cut my design into 4 strips
    - glued the 4 strips onto a piece of Bristop board
    - kept the finished artwork in good condition
    - explained how the markers are different than the crayons
  3. Demonstrate how to tape the fabric to the Bristol board so that it is smooth and tight.
  4. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  5. Observe students as they work. 
  6. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Place students into small groups. 
  2. Ask them to share: 
    - what colours they like the best, and why; 
    - how the marker colour is different than the crayon colour;
    - what they did to get certain effects;
    - how doing these experiments might help them if they were drawing a picture on fabric;
    - what  they learned about working with fabric markers and fabric crayons.

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
  2. Observe students as they discuss their artworks – speaks with a clear voice, looks at audience while speaking, holds the design to the side, provides accurate information, answers questions from the audience effectively.
  3. Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
  4. Use a checklist to track progress. (Download - FABRIC_tracking.pdf)
  5. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Download - FABRIC_self-assessment.pdf)

Downloads

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