Fingerloop Braiding - full day intermediate/beginner workshop 10am-4pm

Learn an historic braidmaking textile technique using natural fibres. Materials included. Suitable for adults

Learn the basics of this fascinating textile weaving technique found throughout history all over the world including medieval and renaissance Europe and reaching a high point in Medieval England between 1200 and 1600. Uses for the braids included purse strings, laces for clothing, and for decoration. Nowadays braids can also be used as friendship bracelets. This is an adult beginner’s workshop or for anyone who has braided before and wishes to expand their knowledge and includes materials.

You will learn loop-manipulation to create both round and flat five-loop braids plus how to split and re-join a braid with the option of adding beads for a 21stC touch.

You will try the braiding techniques in both wool and cotton perle, learning how the different threads behave, as well as different starting techniques.

In the afternoon of this workshop, you will move on to multi-coloured braiding and learn different braid structures.

Additional workshops offered by the Silkewoman on request include Tablet-Weaving, Period Embroidery Techniques, Goldwork Embroidery, and Netting as well as period specific plain hand-sewing techniques