Titulo: Arpilleras to make and to share

Time: 3 - 45 min. blocks of time

EALRs: Writing 1,2; Communication 1,2,3; Arts 1

Materiales: Scraps of fabric or colored construction paper, scissors, glue, penciles, arpilleras or photocopies of Arpilleras (see those enclosed), stenciles for younger kids, 8 and 1/2" x 11" pieces of paper or cloth for each student.

Background Information: During the Pinochet times women gathered to share their stories and struggles, similar to sewing bees or quilting circle. The purpose was two fold: to make extra money and share their stories under the military dictatorship. they used scraps of cloth and told stories through the scenes they would create. The Arpilleras would depict famines, hunger, weddings, small celebrations, usually including mountains, churches, physical surroundings. Today Arpilleras continue to be made, though their stories have changed. Not reflecting struggles as much as daily life in rural and urban Chile.

Procedure: Show photocopies of Arpilleras or authentic ones. In Seattle you may be able purchase them from La Tienda in the University District. Have students discuss the story being told. Have them look at the physical surroundings, the colors, the lines, the houses. What do these things suggest about life in Chile?

Have students think of a personal experience, a story, a significant change, a hard time, something about daily life that they would like to illustrate through their own arpillera.

Create arpilleras using materials. Each student will need a piece of paper or cloth for their arpillera. Younger students may need to use stencils to cut out their pieces, and older students might enjoy the challenge of trying to sew their own arpillera.