

Textile Production
This collection highlights various STEAM projects that explore the intersection of design, technology, and textile arts. From personalized aprons to collaborative quilts, these projects showcase the students' creativity, collaboration, and cultural appreciation. By combining technology with traditional textile techniques, the students can create unique and functional pieces of art that reflect their individuality and sense of community.
Project Overview
This section contains descriptions of the projects completed by my students, providing a glimpse into the kinds of assignments we work on together.
The Power of Words: T-Shirts for Poetry-Inspired Selfies
To celebrate National Poetry Month, our school community united in creating an artful display of words and symbols. Utilizing the direct-to-garment printer, each person designed and printed their unique expression on a white cotton t-shirt. On Fridays, students gathered to create poetry inspired by the designs and took group selfies, reflecting on their shared artistic experience. Through this innovative project, students enhanced their design, technology, and creative writing skills while fostering a sense of community.
Stitching Together Creativity and Community: Students Use DTG Printer to Create a Unique Quilt
The power of artistic expression was harnessed in this STEAM project as 50 students joined forces to create a stunning community quilt. Each student used Adobe Express to design an 8-inch by 8-inch illustration reflecting their connection to the community. These designs were printed onto 9-inch by 9-inch white cotton squares using the direct-to-garment printer. Then, with the support of a skilled and generous grandmother, the squares were sewn together to form a beautiful and meaningful tribute to the community's shared values and vision. Through this project, students developed their design, technology, and textile arts skills while fostering a sense of collaboration, creativity, and pride in their community.
Art on Aprons:
Personalized Aprons
Through this STEAM project, a unique and personalized culinary experience was brought to life. Students collaborated with the Family and Consumer Science teacher to create customized aprons. Using Adobe Express, each student designed an 8-inch by 8-inch illustration reflecting their individual culinary abilities and passions. These designs were printed onto 12-inch by 12-inch white cotton squares using the direct-to-garment printer. The students then sewed their squares into aprons, resulting in a collection of unique and personalized culinary aprons showcasing each student's individuality and creativity. Through this project, students explored the culinary and visual arts intersection while developing their design, technology, and textile art skills.
Building Words, Building Community: Lettered T-Shirts
In this STEAM project, elementary school students, staff, and faculty collaborated to create a unique and collaborative t-shirt project. Each person selected a letter and designed it to be printed on a white cotton t-shirt using a direct-to-garment (DTG) printer. These shirts were then used to create new words from the letters, inspiring a sense of collaboration, creativity, and shared expression. Through this innovative project, students developed their design, technology, and language arts skills while fostering a sense of community and creative thinking.
Designing for Cultural Appreciation: Exploring Native American Textile Patterns
Through exploring the rich history and symbolism of Native American textile patterns and designs, students developed their skills in design, technology, and cultural appreciation. By researching traditional patterns and symbols, they created their own unique design utilizing a direct-to-garment printer to print it onto fabric. The result was a one-of-a-kind textile that reflected their creativity and understanding of traditional Native American art, creating a personalized and meaningful piece of functional art.
Personalized Headgear: Creating Unique Hats for the Field
Sports students became designers by using their creativity to produce personalized hats with their name and number. Using state-of-the-art computerized embroidery machines, the students translated their designs into functional pieces of sports equipment. The project not only developed their skills in design, technology, and craftsmanship but also provided them with a tangible representation of their dedication and pride for their team.
Stitching our Obsession:
Create Unique Anime Patches"
Students took their passion for anime to the next level by designing and producing their very own custom patches. With the help of the school's embroidery machine and their design skills, they transformed their favorite anime characters into one-of-a-kind accessories that can be attached to backpacks, coats, or any item of their choosing. The project not only developed their skills in design, technology, and craftsmanship but also allowed them to express their individuality and creativity.
Crafting Cultural Connections: Exploring Ancient Embroidery
In this collaborative STEAM project, students delved into embroidery's rich history and cultural significance by exploring the designs of Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. Using this inspiration, they developed their own unique designs and brought them to life using the school's embroidery machine. Through the project, they developed their skills in design, technology, and cultural appreciation while creating a personalized and meaningful piece of functional art. The project not only developed their skills but also allowed them to gain a deeper appreciation for cultural history and its influence on art and design.