What our tapestry is about :
Our two foci were 'Mind' and 'Family' - very much the children's  ideas and master plan.
The family is central to our thoughts--changes from grandmother / mother / baby / toddler / school child.  The school child placed at the top wears the school sweatshirt.
The initial thought is of our family--top bubble.  Then we think about playing, holidays, our pets and our family at work.  The bottom bubble is the largest feature as the whole world is our family and an integral part.  The circling idea is of love surrounding the family and our thoughts

How we made our Tapestry:
The whole school spent over a half term designing and working on the tapestry.  The majority of the children were from the younger age group, 5--7 years,  with those who were interested from the 7--9 year group being heavily involved in making later on.

1. Brainstorming session x2--discussing themes--drawing ideas.  All were mounted on the wall.  Children chose ones they thought met the criteria.
   
2. Whole school made the decision of what was to be included, pinned out onto actual size paper plan.  Focus on thought bubbles and what was to be included--work, play, holidays, pets, family are what we think about in terms of 'Our family'. 
   
3. During this time materials were looked at and collections made, other materials acquired--embossed writing, silk painting, fabric pens, padding, dyes for wool, pipe cleaners
   
4. O.A.P.'s had groups for knitting and crochet and later helped compile
   
5. Groups of children interchanged to work on base canvas using brick stitch
   
6. Templates made of bubbles and pinned into position
   
7. Children worked in various media to produce features for bubbles.
   
8. Centre made of stitched down French knitting
   
9. Animals and World also padded and fixed onto bubbles
   

10. Writing was done using glossy 3 Dimensional paints.
    
11. Dolls were dressed by individual children with adult support.
    
12. One child brought a knitted square late--incorporated as a baby's blanket
    
13. One teacher finished compilation over half term holiday--neatened the back of the tapestry, ensured everything was fixed securely.
    
14. Several parents / children were able to visit Alnwick Castle for the display.  The variety and colour techniques were amazing!  We were all very pleased and proud to have taken part