School Workshops

A Learning Experience for Children of All Ages

Carol James offers a specialized school workshop designed to teach the basics of fingerweaving in the classroom. This one hour program can be adapted for any class size. Carol's unique workshop features a short visual presentation followed by two hands-on activities.

Benefits for the Students

They receive education in culture and heritage. (Fur trade era, Métis, etc.) They learn the fundamentals of textiles and cloth production. They develop their fine motor skills. They will be able to take home their project at the end of the day. It appeals to visual, auditory, kinaesthetic and tactile learning styles.

Workshop Description

Carol will deliver a 20 minute presentation accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation. It will cover various historic information concerning sashes including who wore them, who made them and how they were made. Next, Carol will explain the basics of loomweaving and elaborate some of the similarities and differences between fingerwoven and loomwoven sashes. During this time, samples relating to these techniques will be passed around the class.

Following the presentation, the students will participate in two practical weaving exercises. The first will be Carol's own SashDance in which students will have the opportunity to work together on a single fingerwoven piece. During the second activity, each student will create a small fingerwoven wrist sash to take home with them at the end of the day. Please note that younger students (Kindergarten to Grade 3) will do braiding instead of fingerweaving, an activity better suited to smaller hands.

Other Information

Cost for schools in the Winnipeg area is $450.00 per day which includes materials. Schools in rural Manitoba or elsewhere should contact Carol James for more information.

This workshop is designed to cater to class sizes of around twenty to thirty students. Teachers should note that extra supervision will be required. It is highly recommended that there be at least one teacher or volunteer parent for every six students. These assistants will be required to meet with Carol half-an-hour before the workshop for instructions.

The lecture portion of the workshop will require a projector or screen upon which to display the PowerPoint accompaniment. Carol will bring her own laptop computer. The SashDance activity will require a large open space as well as a way to affix the yarn to the ceiling. Please note that Carol will need access to this area at least one hour prior to the workshop in order to set up.

Carol James also offers similar activities teaching fingerknitting, rigid heddle weaving, card weaving et cetera. These workshops would be ideal for classes that have already done the fingerweaving workshop and are looking to learn something different. Please contact Carol James for details if you are interested.