Navajo Rug Project Ideas

Life Story

• Write the life story of a Navajo rug in the first person. Include details like who wove the rug, what materials and patterns were used to make the rug, and how and where the rug was used over the years. Such an approach to your project not only demonstrates that you understand the process of creating the rug and the history of the Navajo people, it also is unusual enough to show you are a creative, out-of-the-box thinker.

Process Photos

• Assemble a photo exhibit that documents the process of making a Navajo rug, starting from the first shearing of the sheep and ending with threading a needle through the final tight strands to finish the rug. If time, location and resources allow, meet with someone who is actually making such a rug and (with permission) photograph the process. Alternately, gather photos showing the different stages of the rug-making process from public domain, historical and private sources and put together a display or exhibit. Make sure to write captions crediting the photographers and explaining what is being shown in each image.

Make Rug

• Create a scale model miniature Navajo rug using the traditional process, starting with raw wool, carding it, washing it, dyeing it with plant dyes, spinning it and weaving it. Take photos and keep a journal of the whole process of making the miniature rug. Give a presentation sharing what you learned and displaying your final product. Alternately, you could turn your miniature rug and accompanying documentary materials into an educational exhibit to be shown at the school library or at a community center.

Full-Size Paper Rug

• Make a full-size paper model of a Navajo rug if you are most fascinated by the rich colors and one-of-a-kind designs found in these works of craftsmanship. Tape together pieces of textured paper to make the base of the rug. Then decorate the top with paint, crayons, markers or oil pastels in a traditional Navajo rug pattern. Finish the rug with a fixative to prevent color smearing. Display the rug along with a plaque explaining why you chose the colors and patterns you did.