sprang bonnets from the 1500s, a proposed reconstruction

Sprang garment

7/30/2010

Challenged myself recently to make a garment using the sprang technique. Using an egyptian cotton I began with a very large rectangular shape, working from hem to hem.
At about armpit level I added warp to allow for sleeves. Yes the work was very wide at that point. I worked from right to left in sections, each tied off with a safety cord.

Sprang garment takes shape

I left a slit for the neck, and finished with a safety cord that goes from wrist to wrist, across the back of the neck.
The finished garment was worn, seen by many at the Handweavers Guild of America Convergence in Albuquerque.

Sprang Sweater

At Congergence I kept hearing about the ‘Ancient One’s Shirt’. Finally tracked it down on the net.
You can view it at
http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/coll/peris2.shtml
Based on images of this garment, I’ve spent the last two days working out the pattern.
I’ve now created a scarf, playing with the design.

Inspired by Ancient Design

While at Convergence I saw the perfect frame for smaller sprang projects. It’s called ‘Loom in a Tube’ from Rebecca Smith. She sells a set of plumbing pipes that fit together to make the frame. Adjustment as the cloth grows and shrinks are easily made with threaded pipe and screws. Check it out at http://www.loominatube.com/

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End of the School Year

7/1/2010

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Van Walleghem School invited me to come teach fingerweaving to their students during the last week of school. I spent a day and a half working with them. Students from grades 3, 4, and 5, explored the basic fingerweaving method making a ‘wrist sash’. My heart was warmed by a student who said to me, “Nice presentation.”
July 1 is Canada Day. National celebrations everywhere.
I was invited to the Musée de St-Boniface Museum to animate my “Fingerweaving Dance”.
Assisted by my daughter, and accompanied by expert musician D’Arcy Stearns we wove six feet worth of ‘sash’ (12 strands diagonal stripe).

twelve people weave a sash

Maybe next year we’ll try for a Guiness record.

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Sprang garment

End of the School Year

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