Wheat Weaving Projects

Article Tools

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

The three main supplies you need for wheat weaving are sewing-weight, wheat-colored thread; sharp-pointed scissors; and a spray bottle of water for keeping the wheat wet.

A warning to cat owners: In my experience, cats react to wheat weavings much as they do to catnip and are likely to rip the woven pieces apart. Keep this in mind when choosing a work space and when deciding where and how to display wheat weavings.

• Click here to learn more about growing wheat: Growing Wheat For Weaving.

Five-Straw Flat Braid

In earlier days, this was one of the basic braids of the straw hat industry, and it lends itself to many decorative uses. The bow shown above is made by doubling over and tying ­together two five-straw flat braids of equal length.

Select five wet straws of approximately equal size and tie them together just under the heads. Lay them with the head ends toward you on a flat surface, and position three straws to the right and two to the left.

Lift the inner straw of the right-hand group and move the outer straw under it, over the center straw, so that the moving straw lies parallel to the left-hand group. Lay down the lifted straw. The straw that moved is now the inner straw of three on the left, and there are only two straws on the right. Now mirror the same process with the left-hand group: lift the inner straw and move the outer straw under it, making it the inner straw of the right-hand group. Repeat the entire process. When the desired length is woven, tie the five strands together tightly with thread.

The bow is made from two five-strand braids of equal length. While the braids are still wet, lay one on top of the other, heads together. Separate the two braids to fan the heads, then bend the other ends down behind the fan. Tie the four ends of the braids ­together with thread, and trim off the excess straw. After the bow is dry, hot-glue a raffia bow over the thread. Add wheat-straw roses if desired.

Wheat-straw Rose

In addition to thread, scissors and a spray bottle, you’ll need a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers.

Cut the head off a long, wet straw at a sharp angle. With a straight pin, seam ripper, or the sharp point of scissors, slit the straw its entire length except for one inch at the head end. Flatten the slit portion by gently scraping any pulp from the inside of the straw, spritzing the straw with water, then placing it shiny side down on the table and scraping it with a flat side (but not the sharp edge) of the scissors blade. Scrape several times until the straw remains open on its own. A little curve is acceptable; it will flatten as you make the rose.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print