Fringe on a Mini Carpet

Say aloha to Polynesian culture with a tapa rug modeled after Hawaiian bark fabric. Tap into your natural quest for crafts rich with global traditions.

1. What’s tapa cloth? Traditional Hawaiian bark cloth was made from the paper mulberry plant. The inner bark was fermented in water until soft, then beaten and stretched into fine cloth. The cloth was dyed in red, brown, yellow, and black vegetable colors. Geometric designs were embedded with handmade tools. Here’s one way to recreate the colorful, watermarked patterns of traditional tapa cloth on construction paper.

2. Cut and color your rug. With Crayola® Scissors cut construction paper into a rug. Choose a geometric pattern with which to decorate your rug. We made a row of zigzag designs followed by circles and then squares. Bright Crayola Gel Markers show up well even on dark paper and look the most like bark carvings.

3. Add fringe. Glue raffia or yarn to the ends of your rug with Crayola School Glue. Air-dry your rug. Show someone your rug and ask what kinds of rugs they remember from their childhoods. Can you believe there are so many different kinds?

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

Prepare for a Powwow

SuperStar Tote

Ring Around the Picnic

Crafts

crayola supplies

• Gel Markers
• No-Run School Glue
• Blunt-Tip Scissors
• Construction Paper

household supplies

• raffia

"We display these rugs in a big quilt-like carpet. Each rug tells a different story about Polynesian art."
Maxwell N., museum docent.

"I really enjoyed making these along with my kids. We all learned something new!"
Rhetta D., mom of ages 10 and 12.

Tapa cloths were used as clothing, home furnishings, and in ceremonies. Before Captain James Cook arrived in Hawaii in 1778, tapa cloth designs were large, basic shapes brushed on cloth. Later, tapa designs became more intricate with regular geometric patterns. Fragrance was often added to the fabric to hide the odor of the fiber.