CD Weaving- the warping

Start by looping the string through the center hole, and tying a snug knot.

Slide the knot to the center hole.

While holding the knot/CD with one hand, start passing the end of the string through the center hole, and pulling tight each time.

An odd number is necessary.  When students had their CD strung, I tied the two ends together in the center, and they clipped the tails. 

Tie the weft, or the weaving string to a center string, consider it "over", and start weaving. 

Voila!

I have had a couple of requests to show/give more detail in how to get the CD warped and ready for weaving.  Understand, I did not think of this idea, I found it on pinterest, so there may be other ways- this is the way I figured out, and it works... mostly.  As in anything, there are always a couple of kiddos who need me to rescue them.  But, the success rate is higher than with the paper plates- and the weavings stay centered, which does not always happen with plates.  The one problem this group had was counting their warp strings and stopping at odd- I think they were losing track of where they started.  My "fix" for the ones I didn't catch was to take 2 strings and tie them together, and have the students consider them one string. Using the CDs is a manageable size, easy to store, and sturdy for the "determined" weavers. Also, lots of embellishing potential.  I used feathers and sequins, but there are a wealth of things you could use to finish off the edges.
Here is another tutorial

Tapestries and Coil Pots

Always be careful with student images-in this case, the one face you see is used with permission

A promising coil pot practice

I LOVE my new art room- I have a reading corner for the "littles" with an alphabet mat- sometimes, I spell things out, but mostly, it's just our meeting spot.  I am teaching the 4th graders to weave, and we are weaving tapestries.  I typically teach them how, give them some time to do it, and those who finish are taught to remove it from the loom, and sew it into purses, bags, wallets, etc.  Basically, little pouches.  It gives us a chance to discuss decorative and functional in a very hands on way.  Now, 4th graders can get restless, so I tell them that they can sit where they want, with whomever they choose, as long as they are weaving, and reasonable quiet.  Here are a bunch on the letters, weaving away.   I am also teaching my 2nd graders to make coil pots, and since a couple of classes were a bit ahead, we took the time to practice with modeling clay first- not something I always do, but hopefully, the results will be worth the practice time.  We will make press pots, inside terra-cotta flower pots.  Since I have some very bright students, one way that I plan to differentiate is to teach lids to those who are a bit faster to catch on to the coil pot process.