Take Eight Bobbins... A braiding weekend at the Pitt Rivers Museum making traditional Japanese braiding with tutor Jennie Parry (founder member & current President of The Braid Society), including an exclusive behind the scenes look at the collections.
Using the marudai, the traditional Japanese braiding stool and eight weighted bobbins, many different braids can be made. Depending on how the bobbins are moved, the braids can be round, square, flat or hollow, stiff or supple and can be used in fashion, soft furnishing, jewellery, creative textiles, etc. Add colours in different proportions, a variety of threads and the possibilities are endless. The end product is beautiful and the process is very therapeutic.
On Day 1 of the workshop, participants will learn several braid structures, how to begin and finish successfully, how to follow diagrams and record work, whilst Day 2 will show ways to explore these structures, using varied materials to create unique braids.
All the equipment, threads and handouts are provided. Please wear loose fitting clothing and bring a notebook, pencil and some medium-sized tie-on labels. It is not necessary to kneel to work; the marudai can be raised if you prefer to sit on a chair.
The workshop includes an exclusive behind the scenes look at the collections & a light sandwich lunch on both days.