Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October 2005
or
Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th October 2005

Ply Split Braiding

Ply – Splitting has traditionally been used to make camel girths & animal regalia in Rajasthan & Gujarat, India.
Work with Julie Hedges in this versatile technique using highly twisted cords in cotton and linen to make exciting shaped braids which can be used for textile accessories and jewelry.

Ply Split Braiding & Decorative twisted cords

The basic requirement for students to this course are enthusiam, some patience and an enjoyment of working with yarn and colour. Beginners will work as follows:

On day one :
Following an introduction to the origins and development of the technique ,you will learn some of the basic methods of ply - splitting which have been used traditionally to make camel girths and animal harnesses . Using prepared 4 ply cotton or linen cords you will make a sample of 5 different designs using Plain Oblique Twining ( POT ) Single Course oblique Twining
( SCOT ) and combinations of these . You will be able to see how these techniques can be developed into usable items by reference to my collection of samples and finished pieces .
During the day there will be a demonstration of cord making on the Apollo cord maker .

On day two :
You will make your own cords and learn about the importance of yarn selection and cord making to the structure and quality of Ply - Split braids .

Using the techniques learnt on day one , you may either -

Start to make an item of your own choice, or make a series of samples developing your knowledge of ply-split and twisted cord structures.

Improvers may work on specific samples or in 3d and are asked to attend on the Monday/Tuesday if possible.

Materials
I will supply clamps and posts to secure work as needed and gripfids or latchet hooks which can be borrowed or bought as needed .

There will be 2 rope walks set up , with Apollo Cordwinders for making cords .

I will bring a range of cotton and linen cords and yarn with which to work but suggest students with some experience may wish to bring their own yarn or cord for experimentation .

Student Requirements :

Latchet Hook or gripfid ( if owned )
Notebook and pen
Tape measure
Scissors
Yarn or 4 ply cords (If student wishes to use their own )
Cordmaker ( optional )
A selection of Large tapestry needles
PVA glue
Sellotape