How to Make Fabric Boards and Teach Kids About Coco Chanel

Practice fine motor skills and create art with this process art activity for toddlers and preschoolers. And, learn about a unique artist – Coco Chanel!

*We use affiliate links and may earn commission from purchases made through those links. All opinions are our own.

How to: The Artwork

Supplies:

Directions:

First, we used the foam brushes to spread Mod Podge all over the canvas boards. Then, we stuck fabric scraps onto the board. Finally, we spread Mod Podge over the top of the fabric to seal it all. That’s it! It’s so easy!

*Make sure to let the kids choose where their fabric scraps go on the board!

How To: The Program – Fabric Boards

My Young Artists class allows 2-5 year olds to explore art and engage the senses to help them understand the world around them. Exploring famous artists and their work allows kids to see that they are capable of making beautiful, creative artwork. Plus, exploring famous artists provides a unique way to teach children about basic art techniques.

Group Activity:

Instead of a group art project, we did a group activity. I wanted to focus on clothes since we are learning about Coco Chanel and fashion designers. So, I put up our felt board for some fun clothing activities. First, we dressed a felt bear with a shirt, pants, and shoes. Then we chose which color pajamas our felt frog wanted to wear, as well as what color socks he should wear. The kids had so much fun getting Bear and Frog dressed!

Then, I had some jr. high volunteers dress up in a few different outfits. We had a superhero cape, a science lab coat, and a dress. I asked the kids questions like:

What is this item of clothing?
When would someone wear this?
Why would they wear this?
What season would you wear it in?
What does the clothing item feel like? Etc.

It was fun to introduce the kids to information about clothes, and they were very interested to hear that people who make clothes are artists too!

Group Story:

I am madly in love with the Little People, Big Dreams series. It’s made up of simple picture books written for kids about well-known people. We read the Coco Chanel one by Ana Albero Isabel Sanchez Vegara today, and the kids, surprisingly, sat still and listened to the WHOLE THING! That never happens!

We didn’t have time to read it, but I also had the book Different Like Coco by Elizabeth Matthews. It’s longer and more in-depth but still a great picture book about Coco Chanel!

Individual Art – Fabric Boards:

After the book, I explained our art project. I told them:

Spread glue on the board.
Stick the fabric down on the board.
Spread glue on top of the fabric.

And they got started! So fun!

And that was that! Our fabric boards turned out beautifully! A successful morning in Young Artists!

We all need some more art inspired by important artists! Try these!

Comment below with some ways you talk about clothes with your little ones!