Toddlers and preschoolers can explore colours, patterns, textures and textiles with this simple paper plate quilt craft.
The most recent addition to our A-Z collection of paper plate crafts is this cheery little paper plate quilt.
I’ve just always had an affection for fabric. I loved pouring over my Great Grandma’s quilts, drinking in all the colours and patterns. Later, in my teenage years, I took up sewing, and as an adult, I’ve made over 100 baby quilts for friends, co-workers and neighbours. I LOVE fabric. It’s like candy for my eyes and food for my soul. Yum!
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Because I can’t bear to part with my scraps, I have a huge bin full of cotton, flannel and fleece bits and pieces. The hooligans love rummaging through this bin, exploring all the colours, patterns and textures, and we often use these fabric scraps when we’re crafting.
I’ve been just waiting for us to reach the letter Q on our list of things to make with paper plates because I’ve had these little quilts in mind for a while.
To make our Paper Plate Quilt, you’ll need:
- paper plate
- fabric scissors
- fabric scraps cut into 1 inch squares
- pencil
- ruler
- glue
- paint (optional)
Introducing new words through sensory exploration:
When we were selecting the fabrics for our quilts, we discussed the fabrics that would look best in our quilts. We used words like dark, light, contrasting and complimenting when we were describing the colours and patterns. We also talked about the density and the weight of the fabrics. We compared the thickness of cordury and fleece to cotton and flannel. And of course, we examined the patterns: bugs, animals, polka-dots, flowers, hearts and stars… so much too see and explore!
When the hooligans had collected their favourite pieces of material, I cut them up into squares.
Then I marked out a grid of 16 squares on each paper plate.
The hooligans then matched their fabric squares up with the squares on the plate, and glued them all in place.
A dash of paint around the borders, and our paper plate quilts were complete.
Aren’t they bright and cheerful?
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. In 1997, Jackie stepped out of the corporate world to start a family and to open her own home daycare. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
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