Hmong Textile Arts at Harding High School http://www.hmongnet.org/class/harding99

Student Group #1

Cua Yaj, Maiv Nyniaj Thoj, Nickie Yaj, Yer Kong, Nplias Yaj, Maiv Nruas Vaj, Zer Muas, Connie Xyooj

About our group

How we made the bookmark

Zer Moua, Choua Yang, Blia Yang, Connie Xiong, and an elder, Mai Vang made these book markers. The colors and designs vary, but all the bookmarks started out with the color green. The color green was chosen because traditionally it is the usual color. The other colors we picked, depended on what the cloth would look like if you were far away, if it looks good and you could see it from far away, then that is the color for it. The colors that we used or began with depends on how well the color would fit together or match.

When you start off you will need a regular needle, about two inches long, with the cloth, and the colorful thread. It is very important that you count each cross-stitch, count how far apart the stitches are, in order for the pattern to turn out right.

Cov paj ntaub cim ntawv no peb pib muab tsos xov ntsuab los xaws nws yog yam xov neeg feem ntau muab xaws ua ntej ces peb mas nrhiav lwm yam tsos xov los phirn rau kom nyob deb los porn zoo. Thaum peb yuav pib peb yuav tsurn tau kaj korn zoo tso mas li xaws.

The interactions we had with the elders

The difference on how the elders taught us and how our mothers taught us, is that the elders didn't scold us if we didn't understand the elders has more patience. The elders style of teaching is different from our mothers'. How we communicated with the elders was pretty cool. What we would usually talk about is sewing techniques. We all feel that it was an interesting and fun experience and a good opportunity for the elders to teach us new and old things.

Thaurn peb kawrn xaws paj ntaub ntawm peb niam mas yog peb xaws tsis tau ces peb niam cem thiab hais tias tsis puab xaws. Tab si cov niam tais laus qhia peb mas lawv tsis ua li ntawv lawv qhia peb tuav rab koob, tuav dairn ntaub muab xov khi ua lub pob, thiab yuav muab hom xov twg los xaws rau. Es lawv thiaj yuav paub qhia lawv cov menyuam.

What I learned from "Hmong Textile Arts"

Hmong textile art taught us different styles, that we have never seen before. It is also a way to spend quality time with the elders. It is an good experience and a tradition that we can pass on to our kids in the future. Sewing has also taught us that we will need time and a lot of patiences to learn and understand.

Hmoob kev xaws paj ntaub muai ntau yam, muaj tej yam mas peb yeej tsis porn los dua li. Nws yog ib lub sij hawm muaj nqi rau peb tau kawm xaws, peb thiaj li yuav paub xaws rau peb cov menyuam, thiab yog ib yam koj yuav tsum tau siv sij hawm kawm.

What "Hmong Textile Arts" at Harding means to us

Sewing in the Hmong Culture is a "Women's Job," but with this oppoturnity with the elders, and the help of the University of Minnesota it is possible for the guys to experience this once in a life time opportunity to learn about the Hmong textile art. It is also a time when all the students and elders could interact with each other, to talk and laugh.

Xaws paj ntaub nyob hauv hmoob coj kev cail feern ntau ces yog poj niam hauj lwm xwb. Tab si zaum no nyob hauv peb lub tsev kawrn ntawv ho muaj ib pab niam tais tau tua qhia ces peb cov menyuarn tub hmoob thiaj li tau kawm xaws nws yog ib qho zoo rau peb txhua tus tau kawm xaws ua ke, tau sib tham, thiab tso dag tso luag.