Spindle Box Ties

I've caught the math bug. Ever since attending AMI's refresher course last February in San Francisco, the math curriculum has seemed more inviting and more intriguing. Thanks to Monte Kenison, who lectured extensively on the subject, I feel motivated to make the math curriculum my own - delve into the theory, answer the "whys" that reverberate in my literature-loving brain, and get excited about what it has to offer. Of course, for me "getting excited" implies "making nifty materials." So here's what to expect in the next month or so:

• A summary of all the math presentations in the Children's House, along with each exercise and game. This will be, in essence, an AMI guide's math curriculum cheat sheet. Don't we all need a reminder of all of the possible exercises for any given math material? I certainly do. Along with this will come a math record that you can print off for each child that will follow her through her three year adventure in the Children's House math area.
  

• A series of tutorials and ideas for embellishing the math shelves. I will endeavor to put together a large chunk of my math curriculum with minimal cost and maximum creative output.

Without further ado, I present to you the Spindle Box ties!

1.) Cut 8 fabric scraps to 2 inches x 12.5 inches. Use different scraps for each tie, or make them monochromatic.

2.) Fold the tie in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew along one top short end, pivot, and continue to sew down the length of the tie. Backstitch 1/2 inch from the edge of fabric.

3.) Trim the corners and the seam allowance to 1/4 inch. Using a blunt-tipped pencil or other small turning tool, turn tube so the right side of fabric is facing out. Press, folding under open seam.
4.) Topstitch around all edges, closing the open seam as you stitch. That's all there is to it! It only takes about an hour to finish all 8 ties.

Happy weekend,
Meg