Intro Video

Back Stitch

Blanket Stitch

French Knot

Whip Stitch

Template Sewing Pattern

Template Visual Design

In this project, students will design and sew a Pop Tart-inspired plush that combines soft-sculpture construction, surface design, and decorative stitching. Students will create a recognizable pastry shape, add a colorful frosting layer, and develop their own decorative pattern using embroidery and appliqué techniques.

Project Goals

• Learn basic plush construction and sewing techniques.

• Practice planning shapes, proportions, and layers.

• Explore at least 3 stitch styles.

• Create 3 layers of visual detail: base, frosting, and decorative elements.

• Use color, pattern, and texture to personalize the design.

• Develop craftsmanship through careful stitching, stuffing, and finishing.

Skills Practiced

Pattern Making • Sewing • Embroidery • Layering • Surface Design • Color • Craftsmanship

Research

Pattern

The Skull Appliqué Plush project is a culminating textile assignment inspired by Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) traditions. Students design and construct a two-sided felt skull plush, incorporating at least six sewn-on appliqué items that reflect meaningful cultural motifs.

Learning Goals

• Cultural Understanding: Students research and select symbols from Día de los Muertos, ensuring respectful and informed use of imagery.

• Design Skills: Students plan a symmetrical skull shape and select motifs with clear visual meaning.

• Hand Sewing Techniques: Students apply a variety of stitches (e.g., running, backstitch, whip, blanket, French knot) learned in previous lessons to attach and decorate the appliqué items.

2 Add a quick visual example, symbol, or memory cue beside each term.

3 List three specific ways an artist could combine traditional and digital media. Name both the handmade material and digital process.

4 Choose one combination and sketch how the media could interact in one composition.

5 Star the idea you would most like to test and explain what makes it visually interesting.

1 Review line, shape, color, texture, value, space, and form.

2 Find clear examples in classroom objects, images, artworks, or design samples.

3 Record the object/image and identify the element. Describe exactly where the visual evidence appears.

4 Identify the material or medium used in each example.

5 Explain what visual effect the medium creates, such as roughness, transparency, sharp contrast, depth, or repetition.

2 Build with at least four editable parts: image, shape, text, and background.

3 Record the tools used to add, move, resize, crop, arrange, or edit the parts.

4 Check hierarchy, alignment, contrast, and readability. Decide what the viewer notices first, second, and third. 5 Make one intentional revision and explain why the revised version works better.

1 Create a small hand-drawn or collage element that is strong enough to become part of a finished design.

2 Photograph or scan it carefully. Check focus, lighting, crop, and background.

3 Import the handmade image into a digital composition on its own editable layer/object.

4 Combine it with digital image, shape, text, color, or background choices. Adjust scale, placement, crop, and contrast.

5 Compare the handmade and digital stages. Record what changed, and what was gained or lost.