How to Make a Tambour Braid
A tambour braid, or chain, is an age-old technique for finishing rugs or making lace and other intricate projects. Tambour braids may be simple single-strand braiding that are used to finish the edges of a rag rug or complex multi-strand braids that create intricate patterns to create tambour rugs or lace designs. The tambour braid interlocks each loop with the prior loop to form a strong chain of thread, yarn or rag that stabilizes the remaining needlework.
Things You'll Need
- Burlap, rug canvas, muslin or rag cloth
- Tambour frame, or embroidery hoop
- Thread, yarn or rag strips
- Container for thread
- Tambour hook, crochet needle or rug hook
Instructions
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1
Select the type of fabric you’ll be using. Burlap or rug canvas are excellent choices for creating a rag rug. If you’ve already made the rag rug, select the rag cloth you’ll need to attach a tambour braid along the edges. For lace, select the muslin material to be used to create the small chains or braids in the lace pattern.
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2
Stretch the fabric across the tambour frame or embroidery hoop. The frame was named because it was held between the knees like a drum or tambour -- think tambourine. After the fabric has been stretched on the frame, place your thread yarn or rag strips beneath the frame into the container so that they remain clean and are easy to access.
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3
Place one hand below the frame to hold the thread. Plunge the tambour hook or a crochet needle through the fabric in the frame and grab the thread in the barbed or hooked end of the needle or hook so that the thread becomes a loop. Turn the hook 90 degrees and pull the loop of thread, yarn or rag through the foundation fabric.
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Reinsert the hook through the middle of the old loop, catch another part of the thread on this underside and pull it through to form the braid and interlock the stitches. Although there are more textured and advanced techniques for creating a tambour braid, these initial steps of inserting the hook through the fabric, grabbing a thread on the underside, pulling it through to the upside in a loop and then interlocking the loop with the next stitch creates the braid. Repeat these steps until your tambour chain or braid is the length you need.
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Cut the thread, yarn or rag about two inches longer than the last stitch in the tambour braid. Tie a knot at the end and, using the hook, weave the remaining thread through the underside of the braid to create a sturdy finished product.
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Tips & Warnings
After you pull the first thread through the fabric, leave a 2 to 3 inch thread and carefully tie a knot at the end of the braid so it doesn't come through the fabric until you have several interlocking chains completed.
A tambour hook is sharp like a fish hook because you have to plunge it through fabric. Crochet hooks or a rug hook may be the better option, especially if your foundation fabric is mesh, rug canvas or open-weaved burlap.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
