Year 4 students soaked up the sunshine on their journey to the Ditchling Museum of Arts and Crafts, where they took part in a hands-on Weaving the Downs workshop.
The workshop began with an introduction to the art of weaving, starting with the basics of wool and natural dyes. The children eagerly tried their hands at carding combs and hand spinning, exploring the origins they moved on to their looms, and they picked up some exciting new vocabulary—terms like “heddle”, “shuttle warp”, and “weft”.
With their looms set up, the students dove into crafting, selecting vibrant yarns inspired by the local landscapes. Their creativity was unstoppable, as they wove their own masterpieces, selecting yarns to reflect the photos of the surrounding landscapes of the Downs.
A mid-session break took them to the gallery’s exhibition on local artist Raymond Briggs, the beloved author and illustrator of The Snowman. With Christmas fast approaching, this festive visit sparked even more joy, and it wouldn’t be surprising if weaving looms started appearing on their Christmas wish lists!
The day wrapped up on a high note, with both students and staff excited to continue with their new skills.
