Seniors
LIFE SKILLS
Senior Textile Artist Badge Activity
Research Two Different Textile Arts
Choose a textile art to try by exploring examples from different cultures.
Activity Details
Time needed: 20–30 minutes
Materials needed:
A phone, tablet, or computer with internet access
Setup:
When you see all the colors and textures of fabrics and yarns, do you dream up a million things to do with them? As you earn the Textile Artist badge, you’ll turn those visions into reality by making projects in the craft that most inspires you to pick up your needles (or loom or spinning wheel). Get started in textile arts by choosing one type to focus on.
Activity:
First choose one textile art to learn about. Start by finding out about the many kinds of textiles, from intricate embroidery to colorful quilts to cozy knitted scarves.
Some examples of textile arts are:
- Embroidery
- Cross-stitch
- Needlework, including patchwork
- Knitting, crocheting, or macramé
- Weaving and spinning
- Quilting
After choosing your craft, get inspired by finding two examples of it that you enjoy from other cultures. In Mexico’s Oaxacan lowlands, women weave sarongs using indigo-dyed thread. Among many Amish populations in the United States, women make the same traditional graphic quilts that their grandmothers did. Use these or other examples you discover to find out how and when these arts began. How have they changed? How do artists today add a modern twist to what they make?
As you’re thinking about which textile art to learn, decide if certain materials appeal to you more than others, or if one craft’s history especially inspires you to create it today.
Troop Leaders: The instructions for all badge steps are available free of charge in your Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit.
Girl Scout Activity Zone activities have been adapted from existing Girl Scout programming.
Adapted from Step 1 of the Senior Textile Artist badge. Purchase the Senior It’s Your Planet Badge Activity Set to complete all the requirements and earn the badge.
Explore more activities.
