Antjie

Antjie

Monday, 26 March 2012

Wheat Weaving Braided Heart



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:
  1. Tie together 10 straws about one-quarter inch below the heads.
  2. Separate so that you have 3 straws on the left, 3 on the right and 4 in the middle.
  3. Tie the 4 straws in the center at a point 3" from the first tie (away from the heads).
  4. Braid (just like braiding hair) each set of 3 straws for at least 6" and tie off (make both the same length).
  5. Form a heart by bringing the ends of the two braids to the 4 center straws at the tie made in step #3.
  6. Make sure there are no twists in the braids.
  7. Tie the 2 braids to the 4 central straws at the tie made in step #3.
  8. Using 3 more straws with or without heads make another 6" braid (not shown).
  9. Form a loop with the braid you just made and tie it at the step #3 tie location (not shown).
  10. 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...