sprang bonnets from the 1500s, a proposed reconstruction

Triangles

2/26/2026

The next motif is a series of triangles. Counting stitches in the original, there are ten stitches between the start of each triangle. Now, if it were me plotting this out, I'd have an odd number of stitches between triangles.

Working from graph paper, plotting this out, I wouldn't have done it this way. Nevertheless, the motif works just fine. The triangles seem to be centred ... as they are on the original sash. Just goes to show, I don't know everything.

Now, I'm thinking about those of you who might be interested in sprang. Those of you who do re-enactment from the mid 1700s, and are interested in incorporating sprang into your practice, but for whom a sash that is 12 ft long seems a bit overwhelming.
There are projects that are far smaller, that are completely appropriate. These include reticules, coin purses, and pockets.

Reticules
Here are some "reticules" I have made using sprang. Basically you make a rectangle. Where the two sides meet, you insert a "cinch line". You pull the cinch line tight, tie a knot, and use the tails of that knot to sew up the sides.
If you think ahead, you can create holes for the drawstring a few rows in.

Interlinking structure, a rectangle that has been gathered at the centre, then folded over, and side seams sewn. The drawstring was pulled through the starting loops (loops at either end of the frame).

Bag of interlinking structure, a rectangle that has been gathered at the centre, folded over, and side seams sewn. Special holes makes for the drawstring a few rows from the start.

Bag of intertwining structure. It started as a rectangle, then gathered at the centre meeting line, and folded over. Special holes for drawstrings a few rows down from the start.

Coin Purses
As to coin purses, you might make a Miser's Purse. I got started in this direction when a friend passed me a copy of Martyn Downer's book titled Nelson's Purse. The front cover featured a coin purse ... and my friend rightly identified it as sprang, and challenged me to make such.

Note there are loops at one end and cut ends at the other. Make these coin purses two at a time, the loops represent where the cloth was on the frame, and the cut ends are where the two pieces of cloth were separated. You sew each of the two sections into a long tube, leaving an opening half-way. There is an instruction sheet on my website.

Pockets
When I delivered that replica sash to George Washington's Mount Vernon back in 2013, I also stopped in at Colonial Williamsburg. They allowed me a look into their textile collection ... which contains ... among many other things ... two sprang pockets. I also saw such a pocket on my travels through Belgium and Germany.

These pockets, with the cut ends a the top, I speculate were made using a circular warp. Begin at the bottom of the pocket, and work your way upwards.
Make a slit when you get near the top of the pocket.
The circular warp will be cut to open the circuit into a long rectangle. The centre of the rectangle (start of the work) is the bottom of the bag. Fold the cloth along that centre line, and sew up the sides.
The cut ends form the tassel at the top of the bag.
I imagine that the knot between the tassel and the bag helps you to secure the pocket on your belt.

Sprang pockets in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg. The decoration at the bottom of the bag on the right is embroidery, limiting the stretch of the interlinking stitch. The bag on the left uses interlacing at the bottom of the bag, making for a much firmer cloth.

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