Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild

Dunbar Pavilion, Tucson AZ

Saturday, April 18, 9 am to 4 pm

Using traditional Japanese equipment – marudai (a round braiding stand) and tama (weighted spools) -- learn how to make a range of 8-element braids suitable for decorative cording and jewelry.  Using two different colors of Japanese synthetic silk, which replicate the feel and luster of reeled silk, participants will learn how to set up the braiding stand and weighted spools to create a wide variety of interlacements -- round, square, flat, and oval in shapes. Handout will show detailed instructions for creating the braids, as well as color variations, for a total of sixteen different designs.

Equipment: Marudai, 8 tama, counterweight bag with 45% of combined weight of tama.

Other supplies: chopstick, s-hook, scissors, tape measure, calculator

If a participant does not own a braiding stand or weighted spools, the Instructor has enough marudai and tama for twelve participants. The equipment rental charge will be $10 for the 2-day workshop.

Materials fee – Coil-bound Handout and synthetic silk - $20.  Color choices will be sent via email to participants.

Rental charge - $10