http://alibrown.co.nz/blog Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:28:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I saw this woven bag hanging on a stall in a local Saturday market and the long cylindrical shape of it caught my eye. I had a closer look and noticed that the well-used bag had been woven with a good deal of skill, and I hadn’t seen some of ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/where-does-this-bag-come-from I’ve really enjoyed reading the many letters, emails and blog comments that other weavers have sent me since I published my book. It’s fascinating to read about people’s weaving experiences and to see photos of their work, especially when it’s something I haven’t tried myself, such as weaving flax head-gear. The ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/flax-on-the-brain The flaxen-haired angel in the photo is a variation on the flax angel I posted instructions for at this time last year. This angel is a bit more fiddly and and long-winded to make but I think the extra effort is worth it. I dyed her hair with yellow dye ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/flax-angel-with-flaxen-hair Do you meet in a flax weaving group that is open to new participants or visitors? If so, do add a comment on this blog post with the group’s location, contact details and perhaps any other information you think might be of interest. If there are enough groups, I’ll create ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/links-to-flax-weaving-groups A plant with the common name cutty grass — with its reputation for cutting fingers if they’re run along it — is an unlikely plant to use for weaving, especially as its short, narrow blades limit its use. However cutty grass, or pīngao, a native coastal plant, has one quality ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/growing-and-weaving-pingao The book I’ve been writing, Weaving Flowers from New Zealand Flax, is now ready for sale. It contains detailed instructions for weaving fifteen different flower and foliage designs as well as different variations of several of the designs. The book also includes examples of flower arrangements for the designs, and ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/weaving-flowers-from-new-zealand-flax Even though there are only a few days to go before Christmas, there’s still time to make the odd flax decoration. Shredded flax lends itself to making an angel in much the same way that straw and grasses have traditionally been used to make angels in other cultures. I’ve used ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/making-a-flax-angel The flax weaving techniques used in basket making are often the same techniques that other countries around the world use in their traditional weaving, although the raw materials are different. I always find it fascinating to see a sample of this universal nature of weaving, so I was most interested ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/weaving-a-three-dimensional-star According to archaeologists, cords have been made by plaiting or twisting plant materials since about 17,000 BC, typically nettles, hemp, cotton, sisal and jute. In traditional Māori culture, cord has been made from New Zealand flax, which is probably at least as strong and durable as any other plant material. ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/weaving-four-plait-cord What do forty-two kilometres of rope used in Nelson’s sailing ship, HMS Victory, a traditional Māori feather cloak, and the Victorian lace collar in the photo all have in common? They’re all made with strong, thin fibres that have been stripped from the leaves of the New Zealand flax plant. ... http://alibrown.co.nz/blog/fibre-in-flax