How To:

Mexican Patty Pan & Yarn Stars

Levels 1-2

Introduction

Traditional Mexican yarn paintings are created by pushing yarn into wax-covered boards.  Using vibrant Mexican inspired colours, students can create a 3D star from patty pans and coloured yarns.

Activity

• Draw simple line patterns on front of star

• Squeeze PVA glue over one line at a time and press length of yarn onto glue.  Cut off excess yarn from edges

• Teach skill of cutting triangle shapes from the edge of patty pans.  Allow students to experiment with different shapes and cuts eg. What happens if you fringe the sides of the patty pan.

• Cut shapes from edge of 14 patty pans (or 22 tiny) patty pans.  Cut in multiples of 3 or 4.

• Glue around outside edge of back of star, press patty pan shapes on glue so the points extend over the page.  Paste glue over the inside star shape and press patty pans down to the cover.

Presenting

Punch hole in one point of star, thread a 40cm string hole and knot the ends.  Tie the knot end to 30cm piece of dowel or stick.  Spread PVA along dowel and wrap with a 1cm wide strip of crepe paper, gluing ends.  Glue last 3 cut patty pans along top of dowel.

Materials

Cardboard cut out star, PVA glue (if no nozzle on glue bottle then a thin brush to spread glue on lines), bright yarn in 30cm lengths approx., 14 regular or 22 tiny patty pans per child, 40cm yarn to hang, 30cm dowel or stick, scissors.

Resources

“Art From Many Hands- Multicultural Art Projects” by Jo Miles Schuman.  Davis Publications, Inc.

Extension Activity

Levels 3-4 “Traditional Yarn Star”- Starting at the outside edge of star, PVA glue along edge and press yarn onto glue.  Continue adding yarn as close to the outside threads as possible, changing colours until whole inside of the star is filled in.