Straw Plaiting

Heritage Techniques for Hats, Trimmings, Bags and Baskets

Veronica Main (Author) , Marian Nichols (Foreword)

Straw Plaiting

Heritage Techniques for Hats, Trimmings, Bags and Baskets

Veronica Main (Author) , Marian Nichols (Foreword)

Hardback ~~$80.00~~ $72.00 Ebook (Epub & Mobi) ~~$72.00~~ $57.60 Ebook (PDF) ~~$72.00~~ $57.60

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Description

An engaging makers' guide to the history and craft of straw plaiting, brimming with helpful step-by-step diagrams.

Straw plaiting has been used to make accessories from hats and baskets to handbags, trimmings and homewares around the world for centuries. Once employing tens of thousands of people in the UK alone, the craft is now listed as Critically Endangered on Heritage Crafts' Red List.

This book aims to change that, drawing on more than 50 previously unpublished patterns and techniques from around the world that will help you to unlock the history and preserve the skills of straw plaiting.

For each pattern, follow the step-by-step diagrams and instructions and discover how they were developed whilst learning about materials, tools and preparation. Once familiar with the plaiting techniques – using straw as well as other materials – you will be able to develop your own skills, possibly blending in recycled materials, which are increasingly being used to produce beautiful and unique pieces.

Acknowledgements
Foreword by Marian Nichols
Introduction
Terminology
1. Straw Plaiting in Great Britain
2. Straw Plaiting in the Atlantic Islands and North America
3. Straw Plaiting in Europe
4. The Decline of the Straw Plaiting Industry
5. Plaiting Materials
6. Straw Preparation
7. Tools of the Trade
8. Development of Plait Patterns
9. Preparing to Plait
10. Plait Instructions
Three, Five and Seven End Plaits
Nine and Eleven Ends
Basic Plaits
Rustic Plaits
Piping and Porcupine
Purl and Moss
Batwing or Vandyke
Feather and Wisp
Diamond and Wave
Brilliant
Trimmings
Endnotes
Conversion Tables
Glossary
Bibliography
Picture Credits
Index

Product details

Published	Oct 17 2023
Format	Hardback
Edition	1st
Extent	336
ISBN	9781789940756
Imprint	Herbert Press
Illustrations	Step-by-step colour illustrations
Dimensions	280 x 216 mm
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Veronica Main

Veronica Main is the most experienced traditional…

Foreword

Marian Nichols

This impressive and thoroughly researched book traces the journey of straw from farmer's field to finished hat. Veronica Main has covered the subject in depth with good illustrations, and the clearly drawn patterns show the many ways straw can be plaited ... we should now make more use of it as a renewable resource.

Alan and Vanessa Hopkins, The School of Historic Dress
Straw plaiting has all but disappeared from the public consciousness; what was once so common, it touched the lives of everyone everywhere... Veronica Main's exhaustive research may ignite a timely renaissance of interest in straw as we search for sustainable alternatives to plastic.

Polly Leonard, Selvedge Magazine
This is a book that will fascinate and enthral both researchers and makers alike.

The Braid Society
From simple patterns through to elaborate work for hats and baskets, this is equally enjoyable as a record of a rare craft, or as inspiration to take up straw plaiting and help take this craft off the endangered list.

Family Tree
Straw Plaiting: Heritage Techniques for Hats, Trimmings, Bags and Baskets is sure to become the go-to publication for anyone interested in learning or studying this time-honoured craft.

HATalk Magazine