I want to invite you to join me on my latest exploration – Fiber Emballage. The word just rolls off the tongue. Little did I know when I took an online video course with Domestika over a year ago that I would be sliding down another rabbit hole (story of my life, I think).
Back in the
70’s and 80’s I used to do a lot of macramé and recently I came across an
interesting technique that could be added to macramé (or used independently)
called emballage. I was intrigued and decided to try it out. I loved the class
but thought that there had to be more possibilities to it than were presented
in the class and so the slide down the rabbit hole began. I was correct and what we are going to explore
are some of the possibilities that I found during my search.
I was
inspired by some truly amazing textile artists who are doing incredible work
that falls under the heading of Fiber Emballage or fiber wrapping.
Here is
a list of materials that you will want to gather:
Cotton
Clothesline –
available from the Dollar Store ( we
will practice techniques on this and it's useful as a base for fabric wrapping
but because it has a core it can’t be used for a project with a frayed or
tassel end like cotton rope can)
Cotton
Rope - (or Macrame cord) in various sizes
(diameters) available from the Dollar Store. You will want at least one thicker
size or several pieces of a smaller size that you can group together to try a
chunky piece.
Cotton
String - (optional) could be cotton yarn
Hemp or Jute cord or rope – available
from Dollar Store. Comes in different
sizes
Synthetic
cord - (optional) –
from Dollar Store (paracord or polyester
rope)
Wire – for shaping (optional)
Solid or
variegated yarns –
from your stash
Fancy
fibers - for
wrapping
Worsted
weight yarns in
neutral colours - can be used as base
for wrapping
Fabric strips
– for wrapping or
as base
Dyed
scrim (optional)
Needles and thread
Glue (optional)
Scissors
