Fleisher: Costume as Material Culture: Building Cultural Bridges for Communication, Understanding and Appreciation

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Community Partnerships > Public School Residencies > Costume as Material Culture >

Swedish Story Quilt: Hand sewn appliqué

Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Learning Support

Teacher Partner: Lisa Brantlechte
Teaching Artist: Clay Ward

	The finished product: A hand-sewn appliqué.

"Our curriculum deals highly with immigration and cultures in the United States therefore; a project based on Swedish immigration and culture was appropriate. Our class visited the American Swedish Museum and was able to see and learn about the culture. Students were able to use the facts they learned at the museum to complete their project."
-- Lisa Brantlechte

The students began their project by researching information on the history of Swedish in the United States via the internet and library books. Ms. Brantlechte discussed the meaning and significance of costume as culture, as well as the meaning of culture. The artist, Clay Ward, began working with the students on their project by brainstorming ideas, practice activities and projects. Students ultimately focused on images and symbols, which they later translated into paper patterns and then onto fabric.

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