String printing is a great activity, which doesn’t need a great deal of equipment and which can be adapted to suit many different topics and themes.  You can even make personalised wrapping paper and other items if you wish.

Today we will be making a print of a Viking longboat, although you can choose to do a Dragonboat instead if you wish.

You will need:

Cardboard (cereal packet or similar will be perfect)

String

Glue

Scissors

Paper

Pencil

Paint / brush

You can choose to draw your own template on paper or you can choose print of the templates (below) to use.  If you draw your own, please keep it simple.  It is very difficult to do intricate details in string.  Big, bold shapes are the best way to get a good result.

Stick your template to the cardboard.

Glue string onto the outline you have chosen.  Take your time doing this – it will look better if you have taken your time and been careful.  I often use a pencil to guide the string into the shape I need.

Tip: put glue on the outline first – I did the boat section first and then stuck on the string.  Then I put glue over the sail lines and did this bit second.

Apply a layer of paint to the string outline.

Carefully turn your cardboard over and place paint-side-downwards on a plain sheet of paper and press lightly all over, making sure the cardboard doesn’t slide or move.

Remove your cardboard and see how effective your printed longboat is. My one does not show up too well as the only paint I had was gold.

Often the second or third print is better than the first attempt a the string is better covered.

Take a picture of your work and send it on class dojo.

Note: When sticking your string to the outline, try not to let your very interested cat glue herself on too.