Materials
needed for this wheat weaving project:
- 10 matched straws with
seed heads attached.
- 3 matched straws with or
without heads (to make a braided top loop hanger, not shown in
pictures).
- Waxed string for making
the ties (dental floss works).
- A 12" by 12"
piece of cardboard or styro-foam for a "pinning board" for
shaping and drying the project.
Preparation:
- Select 13 similar straws
(diameter and seedhead appearance).
- Trim straws just above the
first joint (node) and slip off the leaves.
- Soak these straws in hot
tap water for about an hour until they feel "bouncy and
flexible" (weigh them down to keep them from floating during
soaking).
- If straws crack when you
try to bend them, let them soak longer.
- To take a short break once
you start the project, keep straws wet by wrapping them in a damp towel.
Steps:
- Tie together 10 straws
about one-quarter inch below the heads.
- Separate so that you have
3 straws on the left, 3 on the right and 4 in the middle.
- Tie the 4 straws in the
center at a point 3" from the first tie (away from the heads).
- Braid (just like braiding
hair) each set of 3 straws for at least 6" and tie off (make both
the same length).
- Form a heart by bringing
the ends of the two braids to the 4 center straws at the tie made in
step #3.
- Make sure there are no
twists in the braids.
- Tie the 2 braids to the 4
central straws at the tie made in step #3.
- Using 3 more straws with
or without heads make another 6" braid (not shown).
- Form a loop with the braid
you just made and tie it at the step #3 tie location (not shown).
- Wet the figure and pin it
to a piece of cardboard so it can dry to its final shape (not shown).
Try this for your Garden...
|
