Tablet weaving

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Tablet-weaving (also called card weaving) is a great way to make sturdy, woven bands of braid. These bands were used in period for straps, belts, braids for costume, bookmarks and ecclesiastical accoutrement.

The technique involves a set of cards threaded with (usually) four threads through the holes in the corners (6 is also known in period). The end of the threads are held tight and form the warp of the weave. The cards are turned a quarter-turn at a time, with the weft thread passing through the shed (or gap) between the upper pair of threads and the lower pair. Each card thus twines the four threads around each other and this twine is held in place by the weft. Tablet weaving is an easier form of weaving to start, as it does not require a loom to learn, however a loom will help maintain tension and to get up and down from your weaving easily. You can see some detailed manuscript pictures of period tablet weaving looms at: http://www.kb.nl/vh-cgi/vhoverview.pl?Iconkeywords=73A354*&iconView=IMAGELIST#

Tablet-weaving is a warp faced weave, which means that the warp threads are what makes the surface-pattern. This pattern can be fairly complex depending on a several styles of tablet weaving, and the pattern is made up through the effect of:

  • threading of the cards (both the direction of threading and also what colours are in each hole)
  • turning the cards (forwards, backwards or any combination thereof)
  • "twisting" the cards (turning the card on its vertical axis to swap the colour that's on "top")
  • Adding a supplemental weft (brocading) to create a pattern
  • occasionally embroidery or beads were added to a band to enhance surface decoration

These bands can be extremely decorative (including intricate surface decorations in gold thread called brocading), or intricate double sided patterning such as double face weave and 3/1 twill. These bands were probably the major way of decorating clothes in early period.

Tablet-woven braids are very strong and resist abrasion/wear. They can be (and were) used as belts, baldrics, straps, decorative trim or edgings etc.

There are many people who can teach the basics of this art, so ask around, as it really helps to have a person to set you on your way.

A great website for the basics is on Phiala's string page: - http://www.stringpage.com/old/basictw.html

Have a look at the other tutorials there, as they go into great depth about how it all works. There is even some great info on how to do some of the advanced stuff like 3/1 broken twill.

Also consider the groups:

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