Grade 3 Art And Craft Pattern Making – Hand Printed Patterns Notes
Hand Printed Patterns
Topic: Pattern Making — Art And Craft (Age 8, Kenya)
Hand printed patterns are pictures or designs we make by pressing a stamp or object into paint and onto paper or cloth. The same shape repeats to make a pattern — just like patterns on kitenge, kanga or basket weaves you see in Kenya.
What you will learn
- What a hand printed pattern is.
- How to make a simple stamp and use it to print repeating shapes.
- How to make stripes, rows and simple repeat patterns like in Kenyan fabrics.
Materials (easy to find)
- Paper or old cloth
- Poster paint or fabric paint
- Potato, sponge, cork, or cardboard for a stamp
- Knife (adult help), pencil, and a plate for paint
- Newspapers (to protect the table)
Safety first
Always ask an adult to help when cutting a potato or cardboard. Use paints that wash off easily.
Simple steps to make a stamp and print
- Draw a simple shape on the potato or cardboard — a circle, triangle or a leaf shape.
- Ask an adult to cut the shape so it sticks out like a stamp.
- Pour paint onto a plate and dip the stamp lightly.
- Press the stamp on paper, lift straight up, and repeat in a line or row.
- Try different colours and alternating shapes to make a pattern.
Easy pattern ideas (you can try)
- Row of circles: same circle printed across the paper.
- Checker design: print squares in two colours in a grid.
- Kitenge inspired border: alternating triangles and dots along the edge.
Examples (see below and copy them)
Row of circles
Tip: Try stamping these in a straight line across your paper.
Alternating squares (checker)
Tip: Make a grid with pencil first, then stamp inside the squares.
Kanga/Kitenge inspired border
Tip: Use triangles and dots to make a pretty border like on a kanga.
Activities to try (class or at home)
- Make a greeting card: print a border and a center picture using stamps.
- Design a bookmark: print a repeated shape down a strip of cardboard.
- Group work: each child makes one stamp and together you create a big patterned poster.
Questions to think about
- What shape did you repeat most?
- How many colours did you use? Could you make it look like a favourite kitenge pattern?
- Can you make a pattern that repeats every 2 or every 3 shapes?
Fun fact: Many Kenyan clothes and mats use repeating designs — these patterns make things bright and tell stories. Your hand printed patterns can be bright and tell your story too!