Lesson 2

Wrapping with Fabric

In addition to wrapping with fiber, you can wrap rope with fabric strips. Ideally, you would want your strips cut on the bias, but that isn’t absolutely necessary. Strips of fabric 1.5’ to 2’ wide will work whether they are cut on the bias or not. You also have the choice of folding down the edge to have a clean edge or leave the raw edge showing.  It is a personal preference.

You are going to place the rope on the fabric at a bit of a diagonal and fold the end of the fabric over the end of the rope.  If you want a clean edge, you will pre-press or finger press the top edge of the fabric before you begin rolling the fabric on a diagonal over the rope.  You may want to secure the fabric to the rope with a bit of glue before starting to make things easier.

FEWrapping with Fabric

FEWrapping with Raw Edge   this example uses scrim

 

Adding Decorative Threads

You can add decorative threads to fiber wrapped rope and fabric wrapped rope, the procedure is pretty much the same.  You choose your decorative thread – it can be embroidery thread or any other decorative thread or fiber and attach it to your piece.  An easy method is to use a Lark’s Head knot and the wrap a double strand of the fiber about the rope.

FEAdding Decorative Threads

By the same token, you can use fine beading wire and wrap it several time around the end of the rope to secure it.  Add some beads to the wire and wrap the wire along with the  beads, (spacing them along the wire as you wrap it around the rope) and secure it with a few close wraps at the other end.

If you are working with fabric wrapped rope, you can add some hand stitching and beading to your pieces.  Decoration is up to you at this point.

UtilizeEssa technical para tecer e colored cordões  I’ve included some excellent videos by Espiral & Cor.  They are in Portuguese, but you can turn closed captioning on and English translation on which helps. (you do have to make allowances that some things do not translate well, though)

Cordes Espiral 🌀   Another good video. 

 

Making Loops

If you are making bracelets or necklaces, you may want to make your own closures rather than use purchased jewelry findings.  In that case, it is useful to know how to make loops in your emballage work. A loop at the end of your work can be used as part of your closure with a bead or a button.

If you are using clothesline, which has a cotton core, the easiest way is to slide back the braided outer cover of the clothesline and remove about ¾” of the core.  This will allow the braided cotton shell to lie flat against the side of the other part of the clothesline when the loop is formed.  When you wrap you gathering wrap, around the two pieces of clothesline, it will taper rather than end abruptly.

FEMaking A Loop, Adding a Bead

Even if you have not planned ahead, loops can be made.

FESample Bracelet Closure

 

Additional Inspiration Artists

KaarinaHeikinheimo - Finnish Designers

ЖмаеваОксана (@oksana_zhmaeva_textiles) • Instagram photos and videos

 

Creating Closed Circles

There are a variety of ways to make closed circles and a number of reasons you might want to make them.  Common reasons for wanting to make closed circles are:  bangle bracelets, other jewelry decorations, or interior design decorations.  You might have your own reasons for wanting to make some.

Whatever your reason, let’s look at some of the methods and materials that can be used to make the basic circle.  In my research I’ve found makers that have used a variety of materials to create the basic circle shape and then they have joined the circle, padded it (if it wasn’t thick enough) wrapped it, and decorated it. For example, the necklace in the upper right example, uses rubber tubing that is glued into circles and then wrapped with dyed silk ribbon and attached to Kumihimo cord.

Ways to make Bangle Bracelets

1.       Howto: Stackable Bangles DIY      bare bones method using zip ties, then wraps with fabric and adds wire and beads  (video is short and easy)

2.      ZipTie Bangle Bracelet   Same method but maker adds quilt batting to pad zip tie before wrapping with fabric and adds decorative yarns as well as wire and beads

3.      Eco-Friendly DIY: How toMake Yarn-Wrapped Bracelets Using Plastic Grocery Bags   Very short and easy recycled project using bread wrapper.

4.     

If you are using Clothesline, you can sew the ends together. Clothesline has a core and you can remove a section from one send so that you can overlap the end and the braided outer layer will lay flat and it can be sewn down. now the closed circle can be wrapped (padded first if you like.

 

  

 (197) How to: Ropeand Tassel Bangles - YouTube  short video showing you how to make a bracelet from synthetic rope wrapped with fabric, decorated with thread and embroidery floss tassel.

Making Interior Design Decorations

1.     
Instagram   this quick video shows wrapping several cotton cords to make the circle which is glued and then secured with a gathering wrap.

2.      Comofaço um cocar têxtil inspirado no cocar indígena?  This video is from my macrame stash so it may not be of interest to some of you.  I turned on English subtitles and essentially it is just one knot over and over again.  You need to make it over a large diameter piece of rope or a dowel so that you can weave in ends to join your circle at the end.  It isn’t wrapping or emballage but it sure it lovely to look at.

3.       You can get braided rope or cotton piping (most commonly used for upholstery) that is up to an 1’ in diameter but this can be fairly expensive to purchase. This can be formed into circles and glued or stitched closed then wrapped.

I hope that gives you a few ideas on ways to make closed circles for wrapping with fiber.  Have fun!

Some Creative Goodies

 

1. Creating wall art using Styrofoam balls.  (196) This Macrame Wall ArtDIY is so easy, you'll be doing it in no time! - YouTube

You can use liquid starch as a stiffener as an alternative.  The stiffener isn’t absolutely necessary, but it apparently does make things easier and keeps the individual strings hanging straighter and prevent them from tangling so much (from the research that I’ve done).  If you are just making one, you can use a ring, like the pictured steps below.

When you finished your first gather wraps, you can add the Styrofoam ball.

 

2. I found  the artist for the fantasy floral wrapping involving pompoms, I mentioned at the Zoom Gather and Stitch. I kept on searching and finally found a pin that credited the maker. It is also created by Mandi Smethells. (Admission: I hadn’t viewed all her posts – I’d looked at her reels for technique ideas that she generously shares, but hadn’t viewed all her stills)

 Her Instagram is on your Artist list. For anyone interested, we can discuss how something like this can be created.

 

3.  Interesting idea for wall art:  Use thicker rope and arrange it in a pleasing configuration.  Use the gathering wrap in colours of your choice to join it together where the rope touches. Unravel the ends and tie to driftwood or a dowel.   Simple, but effective.