Description
Lecture: Cordmaking and Ply-Split Braiding
November 6 at 11 am (during the Guild meeting)
Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa (map)
Non-guild members are welcome.
Ply-split braiding is a unique fiber technique in which plied cords are pulled through other cords to create two- and three-dimensional objects. Linda will begin with a demonstration of how to make cords using a hand-held 4-hook cordmaker. Anything that can be twisted and plied can be used to make cords, and guild members are invited to bring something from their stash to be used in the demonstration. This could be yarn in any fiber, torn fabric strips, or even fishing line. After the cordmaking, Linda will use extra-large cords to show the ply-split braiding process. She will show and discuss some of the many ply-split items that she has made. Guild members are invited to bring any ply-split pieces in their collections to share with the group. Non-guild members are welcome.
3-Day Workshop: An Introduction to Structures in Ply-Split Braiding
November 7, 8 & 9, 2019, from 9 am to 4 pm
Cotati Community Center, 201 West Sierra Avenue, Cotati, CA, in the Copeland Classroom (map)
There are only a small number of old men in the desert in India and Pakistan who still practice ply-split braiding. In the past, men made plied cords from goat hair, and then ply-split the cords into girths and necklaces for their camels. They also created several types of ply-split bags and holders which were hung up to keep pots and bowls out of the reach of children and animals. We can keep this wonderful craft alive by using their techniques in new ways. The same techniques are being used by contemporary fiber artists, using different materials, to create a dizzying array of two- and 3-dimensional works. Since cords for ply-split braiding can be made from anything that can be twisted and plied, contemporary artists can use yarn in any plant or animal fiber, torn fabric strips, and even fishing line.
Using prepared cotton cords, students will make several colorful braids on keyrings to learn and understand ply-split structures that can be used to make jewelry, rugs, baskets, and sculptural works. SCOT (single-course oblique twining) lends itself to curvy and organic shapes, POT (plain oblique twining) produces the sturdiest and firmest fabric, TLOI (two-layered oblique interlacing) is used to produce geometric and pictorial images, including letters, and twined linkings are used to change the direction of a cord, or to create a stretchy fabric.
My goal is to introduce students to the structures of ply-split braiding and help them work on sample braids in class. This understanding will give students the foundation needed to make more complex pieces following a pattern, and also to begin creating their own two- and 3-dimensional designs. I also aim to help students appreciate traditional and contemporary ply-split braiding, to tell them where to find more information, and to share my excitement about this wonderful technique!
Class size: Minimum 13 students; Maximum: 15 students
Ability Level: Beginners are welcome
Workshop fee for guild members: $138.00
Workshop fee for non-guild members: $170.00
Materials fee: Students will order materials directly from the teacher before the workshop.
Students should bring: Scissors, tape measure, pen or pencil, plus gripfid and cord kits listed below under general information. Students are welcome to bring their own gripfid and cords to class. For those who wish to make their own cords, specifications are included in the handouts.
Deadline for registration: October 6, 2019
Cancellation policy: Refunds will only be made for cancellations if the remaining registration exceeds the minimum participant requirement for the workshop.
General Information:
Below are the five braids that Linda will demonstrate in this class, and the costs for ordering the cord kits for each braid, as well as the gripfid tool needed for the class. Please choose two colors from the color chart below for each kit (or the same two colors can be used for all of the kits). Email your order to: linda@lindahendrickson.com (indicate if you need the gripfid tool). Linda will then email students instructional PDFs for the braids (which need to be printed and brought to class).
Please contact Linda well in advance of the class, as all gripfids and cord kits are made to order. She will deliver the kits to the workshop. Bring cash or check to pay for your supplies.
Students who already have her book, How to Make Ply-Split Braids & Bands, can bring it to class instead of printing the PDFs.
From left to right:
- $12.00 Size 6 gripfid (tool for ply-splitting) (NOT SHOWN)
- $4.00 Cord kit for the Waves braid (single-course oblique twining)
- $4.00 Cord kit for the Whirligig braid (plain oblique twining)
- $6.00 Cord kit for the Arrowhead braid (SCOT with twined linkings)
- $6.00 Cord kit for Twined Interlinkings (twined linkings used exclusively)
- $5.00 Cord kit for the TLOI sampler (two-layered oblique interlacing)
Color Chart — Cotton Cords for Ply-Splitting
For more information: contact Nadine Sanders shoestringlady@gmail.com (phone: 360-740-0914).