Overview
What do mats, nets, rope, indigo, and paper have in common? All are related to textiles and all are made from plants, of course! This project focuses on past and present technologies that convert plant materials into fibrous products. If you are wearing blue jeans, you likely are wearing indigo-a time-honored plant dye. You can still purchase handmade paper, even though most of today's paper comes from large mills. Rope, nets, and mats, once made by hand from plants, are now manufactured in factories using a variety of raw materials.
This project is in at the emergence stage. It is still growing. New activities can be added as more people become involved. The goal is to post reviewed and tested activities for all to use. The project has four components:
- Tools - make a tool.
- Technology - use the tool in a traditional activity.
- Research - use the Internet to learn about comparable technologies and products in today's market and to further explore plant fibers and textiles
- Connections - involve others from your community
Community connections
You can connect with community groups in a variety of ways, but this project emphasizes opportunities for youth to partner with historical museums and associations. You can share these activities or you can work with a local agency to develop a new activity based on a plant/textile with special meaning in your area. Below are ideas to help you get started.
Find information pertinent to your locale:
- Does/did a good mat or rope material grow in your area?
- Does/did a paper factory operate in your county?
- Does/did a famous weaver live in your community?
- Does a family member do hand-dyeing?
- Did your town have a jeans factory?
How can you find this information?
- Check local history references at your library.
- Scan old newspapers.
- Contact your historical association.
- Visit local museums.
- Talk with older residents and family members.
- Do more online research targeting your hometown.
How can you share what you've learned?
- Develop a bulletin board display for your school, store window, library, or fair.
- Work with your historical association or museum to develop an exhibit or educational program.
- Collaborate with a local weaver's guild to offer workshops.
- Organize a fieldtrip to an appropriate factory.
- Invite a professional in an appropriate field to speak to your class or club.