CRAFTING
WITH RAFFIA
|
I am posting
this rudimentary class syllabus because I have been working for days
trying to determine a good time frame (length of class vs instruction
imparted) that would give a student the skills to master making hats,
brim variety, bags, placemats and basically any shape you wanted with
your raffia braids.
UNFORTUNATELY, I
feel that there is NO way to do this class in one session. It would
have to be done in TWO sessions. WHY? Because, you will need to learn,
from easiest to hardest, a three strand braid (MOST know this!), a four
strand braid, and the most difficult, a five strand braid. This can be
difficult for some, easier for others – we are all different! However,
it takes a good several yards of braid to have enough to get going on
learning the basic stitches, shaping stitches and turnings to make the
different shapes. A beginner can no way get that much braid done in a
day (we will be doing the 5 strand for the hat)! So this class must be
a 2 session class, a week apart.
|
 |
 |
There will
be homework to be done between sessions.
Cost of
class - $60.00 (total for both sessions)
|
 |
Things
to bring to CLASS ONE:
Notebook, pen or pencil
You will need
about a pound of fine grade raffia – A good hat will usually weigh less
than 10 ounces, but there is quite a bit of waste.
3 or 4 twist
ties or pipe cleaners
A plastic tub or
bin to put your raffia in, and a lid – get one larger than your bundle
as it tends to grow when unleashed!
Measuring tape
or yard stick
Things
to bring to CLASS TWO:
Your prepared
raffia braid
Your extra
raffia and tub
Two darning
needles
Scissors
Spool of strong
thread that matches your raffia color
Notebook, pen or
pencil
|
| |
|
|
SYLLABUS
I. CLASS ONE
A. What
is raffia, and where does it come from
B. Good
vs Bad raffia
C. What
kind of things can I make?
D. The
starting point
E. The
Braids
1. 3-strand braid
2. 4-strand braid
3. 5-strand braid
F.
Braid length and width for projects
G.
Beginning the 5-strand, anchoring
H.
Start small and build up to your width
1. Consider how much you need to start your coil
I. How
to finish the braid before stitching
1. Clipping
2. Steaming
3. Prep work before shaping
II. CLASS TWO
A.
Beginnings
1. Oblong spiral
a. Stitch, anchor and finish
2. Round spiral
a. Stitch, anchor and finish
B.
Starting the hat at the crown, with a spiral
1. Rounded crown vs flat crown
2. Sizing
C.
Different kinds of stitching
1. Where to stitch for shaping
D.
Turndown point for the crown
E.
Making the turning rows
F. More
on shaping
1. Brim styles and shapes
2. Brim width
G.
Finishing the brim
1. Specific finishing points!
2. How to braid to your finishing point
3. Ending and securing the plait
4. Wrapping
H.
Decorate!
1. Dyeing raffia
a. Dyes to use, and procedure
2. Embroidery
I.
Tight hats
1. Stretch & steam
Return to the Fiber
& Fiberarts Page |
