How to Weave a Small Purse
Weaving is an ancient craft that involves intertwining sets of yards or threads to create items such as a rug, an art piece or an accessory. Natives originally used looms to perform this activity. A loom is a device that holds the yarn threads in place while other threads are woven through them. Today, it is possible to weave items such as a small purse using a simple piece of cardboard.
Instructions
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Create a loom using a piece of heavy card stock or cardboard that is large enough to support the width of your chosen purse project. For this example project, use an 8 1/2-by-11-inch piece of thick card stock. Cut the top and bottom edges 1/4-inch deep spaced 1/4 inch across each cut.
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Fold the card-stock loom in half so that the shorter sides touch at the top. This will be the finished size of the purse, so make sure it is the size you want the purse to be.
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Tape three dowels horizontally across the top, middle and bottom of the front of the card stock. The dowel should be 8 1/2 inches long, to match the size of the card stock. A dowel is a type of solid cylindrical-shaped rod made of wood, plastic or metal that will add support to the card-stock loom.
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Wrap the yarn of choice around the loom starting with the top slip. After wrapping, stretch the yarn down the back of the loom to the bottom and wrap it around the bottom slit. Stretch it back up to the top and wrap the next slit. Continue across the loom. In doing this, one side of the card stock will have yarn wrapped around the slits while the other will have columns of yarn stretched from top to bottom. The yarn should fit snugly and securely between the slits. Continue with this process until you reach the last slit. If you decide to switch colors, you may do so by cutting a 3-inch tail from the previous color before making the switch to the new color.
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Thread the next set of yarn, about 48 inches, through a needle to begin weaving horizontally. Pull the needled thread over the first column of stretched yarn on the loom and under the next column of yarn, making sure to leave a 6-inch tail at the beginning of the first row. Go back across the loom in the same manner. Continue with this process until you reach the bottom, making sure each row is compact. Keep any tails created by switching colors out of the way by taping them along the edge of the card stock.
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Finish the edges with the loose tail ends by passing it over and under the woven threads.
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Once the weave is complete on the loom, remove the yarn from the slits. Snip each loop in half and tie a secure knot to hold the pattern in place. Fold the woven piece in half so that the 8 1/2-inch sides touch at the top. Weave a piece of thread through the side edges to connect the front and back sides of the purse.
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Add a decorative button and loop to secure top of the purse.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to apply the same pressure and tension throughout the weave to avoid the purse from progressively getting narrow or wider as your progress.
Instead of folding in the center when creating your purse, try folding about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom. Fold the leftover top portion down to create a flap, then sew on a button to secure the flap.
References
- Photo Credit hand weaving loom image by green308 from Fotolia.com
