Braid Society Swap

Members make 6 braid samples connected in some way with the published swap theme.
Swap samples are attached to an A4 card which documents the makers design ideas and the techniques used. These are sent to the coordinator who sends five of the samples to other swap members, 1 sample is kept for the Braid Society archives which are often on display at Braid Society events, AGMs and at the shows we attend.
Samples are typically 6 inches (15cm) in length. Braid Society members wishing to participate in this years Swap will first need to complete an application form, which will published in the society newsletter. this form is then sent to our coordinator, Maureen Jennings.

Swap 2008

This years theme is "A Fastening". We think this theme is open to a very wide range of interpretation, and should be a good fit whatever form of braiding you are currently interested in.
This is a great opportunity to get to know other society members and share samples of work.
Everyone from beginner to expert has something to contribute, so why not take part?

Swap 2007

I am very happy to report that twelve members took part in last year’s Swap.
The theme – a luggage identifier – was carried out in an interesting variety of ways but which fell into two main categories – a strap to go round a suitcase, or an eye-catching object to attach to a piece of luggage. In this latter category were a ply-split flower, a large tassel, a lucetted cord with a large decorative bead, a kumihimo braid made on a disc and a finger-looped braid. The straps were also made in different ways. Two were takadai braids, the others were woven bands, one using tablets, another rigid heddle and three were made on the inkle loom.
Photos of the 2007 entries appear below (click on the images to see the full sample attached to the card).
I do hope this will inspire you to take part in the 2008 swap. Details will appear in the March 08' newsletter.

Maureen Jennings - Swap Coordinator.

Anneliese Bläse Anneliese Bläse - This was made using a rigid heddle back-strap loom.
The pick-up design uses traditional design motives. The pattern threads are hand dyed filament silk and the black background is an artificial silk.

Rob Byatt Rob Byatt - This was made on a takadai. It uses the “Itsukushima-gumi”
braid design, and has been made in polyester sewing machine thread.

Margaret Clark Margaret Clark - This was made using a kumihimo disk.
It uses the “kongo” braid, with colour set-up to give a two colour dog tooth pattern.

Ingrid Crickmore Ingrid Crickmore - This was made using fingerloop braiding.
4 different braiding patterns have been used in the sample. It is made of 5/2 perle cotton.

Ann Dyer Ann Dyer - Tassel making techniques have been used to make this luggage tag.

Celia Elliott-Minty Celia Elliott-Minty - This has been tablet woven using a double cloth
pick-up technique. It is made from 4-ply knitting cotton.

Maureen Jennings Maureen Jennings - This was made on an inkle loom, using the Bolivian
Cross-warp technique.

Sandy Jessett
Sandy Jessett - This has been made by ply-splitting, using the SCOT technique.
The 4-ply cords required for the work were made from linen and glitter thread.

Jennie Parry Jennie Parry - These braids have been made on an inkle loom, using a pick-up technique. The samples are made from cotton.

Steve Pretty Steve Pretty - This luggage strap was made using a takadai.
It is an expansion of the “takadai karakumi” braid design and has been
made using polyester sewing machine thread.

Ziggy Rytka Ziggy Rytka - This sample has been woven on an inkle loom, using a “daisy pattern”.

Carole Whitling Carole Whitling - This was made from No 5 perle cotton, using a lucet.
Beads and a scarab amulet have been added to complete the luggage tag.