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SEDGWICK INVADED BY
FIFI THE GIANT PURPLE DINOSAUR
(published in the West Hartford News)
By Bobby C. and Ryan W.
Have you ever met anyone
creative enough to make a giant purple dinosaur out of
felt?
Robin McCahill of Thomaston came to Sedgwick Middle
School Oct. 20 to dazzle the Quest room with her amazing
felt creations. She gave a great lesson on felting,
which is taking carded wool from a sheep and turning it
into a shape using a barbed needle. As you poke the felt
with the needle, it turns into a shape, such as
mini-puppets, masks, and giant purple dinosaurs.
While at Sedgwick, McCahill passed around some of her
best creations. One was a giant purple dinosaur named
Fifi. Her favorite was a felt fairy named Mereck, named
during her Sedgwick visit by seventh grader Olga R.,
who also was smitten by the creature. It took McCahill
48 hours to make him. Mereck will soon be starring in a
play called Snow Queen.
McCahill started felting in 1986, but she only just
learned needle felting one-and-a-half years ago. Felting
is not all she does: she does bicycle fitting. That
means she designs custom-made bikes for hospitals and
bike shops. She also modifies bikes so they are more
comfortable and more accessible to all people.
“Quest invited a special felt artist because she is a
perfect example of what Quest students strive for: to be
interested in something passionately enough to become an
expert at it,” said Jennifer Hunt, Quest teacher.
“Mrs. McCahill came to our school because she is one of
the most inspirational people we have ever seen,” said
seventh grader Oscar G. “Plus, the giant purple
dinosaur was really cool.”
Quest is an enrichment gifted and talented program
offered throughout West Hartford public schools.
NOTE: Bobby C. and Ryan W.
are seventh-grade students at Sedgwick and members of
the school News and Video Club.
For more information
contact:
October 20, 2005 Jennifer Hunt, Quest teacher
860/570-6500 |
