Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
A braided rug adds colorful country charm to your room. Whether yours is hand-woven or machine-made, the diverse colors and fabric lend visual interest while protecting your floor surface. With use and wear, braided rugs have a tendency to loosen a bit at the seams. While fraying is a natural trait in braided rugs, you can prevent it through proper maintenance and care. If you clean your braided rug using methods that won't damage the fabric and catch loose pieces early on, you can keep it in tip-top condition.
Weaving a scarf requires you to keep a few very important things in mind. Learn how to weave a scarf with help from an artisan, designer and instructor in this free video clip.
Apache's Tapestry framework provides you with dynamic cache of programming libraries and classes that you can reference in the development of your Java web applications. When adding an expression to events in your application's source code, prefixes can be used to tell Tapestry how to evaluate the expression. Prefixes are generally used in Tapestry to configure components of the framework, but they can be useful in Tapestry's URL rewriting script as well. If you need to chain several URL rewrites together, you can use the "after:" prefix to set the order of your rules.
Italian weaves are weft type hair extensions with unique, multi-directional loose curls. The curls are treated with special retention agents to reduce tangling, making them an excellent choice to add color, length, and volume to your hairstyle. The warp of an Italian weave is 100 percent human hair and the weft consists of a superior stitching pattern that results in less shedding. Weft type weaves are easy to attach to the scalp, making them an excellent choice for a do-it-yourself stylist.
A wooden staircase lends beauty and functionality to your home and can serve as an attractive focal point when visible from your home's entrance. However, wooden stair treads can take a beating from repeated use and can be slippery, posing a threat to the less sure-footed, such as the elderly and toddlers. A variety of tapestry solutions can increase the safety and beauty of your wooden staircase, while maintaining the condition of the hardwood.
Tapestry is an Apache program that makes it easy to create pages in Java, and that works alongside AJAX, a form of Javascript, to allow users to update partial sections of an already existing Web page. This partial update is accomplished by turning a DIV section of the page into a Tapestry "Zone," which can then be updated using AJAX scripts to add functionality without re-coding the entire page.
Along with tires and suspension, and probably more so than the engine or drivetrain, differentials define the character of a car. While most drivers put very little thought into the type of differential they use, it's the alpha and omega to those who put traction above all else. Full lockers are one very extreme example of this quest for ultimate power delivery -- perhaps a bit too extreme for most applications.
If you're tired of housing your skeins of yarn and knitting needles in a box, bucket or tote bag, consider making a knitting basket. This basket isn't a traditional basket made from reeds. Instead, it consists of two X-shaped wooden frames on either side of a heavy fabric bag. The frames provide a sturdy base that won't collapse. The fabric bag is roomy and soft, leaving you with plenty of storage space without worry of your yarn becoming snagged.
Spinning wheels are used to make yarn out of raw fiber. Handmade wheels are usually made of wood, but can vary in many ways, from decorative style to the mechanics that make them work. Although they may be thought of as a relic of a bygone era, spinning wheels are still made by hand in the 21st century and available for sale. Some bear the traditional form, while others have a far more contemporary appearance.
Handmade woven carpets make a room look more artistic and homey, but buying a handmade woven from an artisan or specialty store may not fit into your decorating budget. However, you can save money by making your own handmade woven carpet using a few inexpensive materials purchased from any arts and crafts supply store. This enables you to create a beautifully decorated space using colorful woven carpets without spending a fortune.
The braided rug is an example of classic Americana that has its origins in New England. Colonial women turned clothing scraps into soft, colorful rugs that many people still find appealing today. Contemporary braided rugs are often made of natural fibers like cotton or wool. Although cotton and wool rugs are highly durable, they're also prone to fading. However, with proper care, you can improve the appearance of a faded rug and discourage future fading.
Crafters who end up with a lot of fabric scraps are always looking for new ways to use up the little pieces. A hand-woven shag rug may be the ideal answer to the question. With an easy-to-assemble floor loom, making a woven shag rug is simple enough for an elementary school student. When making a shag rug, use fabrics that require the same cleaning instructions to ensure the rug will still look good wash after wash.
You can create adorable centerpieces for a baby shower using small baskets and diapers that the guest of honor can add to her stash of baby supplies after the event. Place a single centerpiece on the gift table or make a multitude of the mini-bassinets to grace each of the dining tables at the event. You can also color coordinate the decorations to match the shower’s color scheme by using accessories, such as receiving blankets and washcloths, in the appropriate colors.
Today’s kids love kandi bracelets because they can personalize them with colorful beads, stylish pendants and distinctive charms. While some bracelets are made very simply with elastic and pony beads, today’s kandi kids are always on the lookout for that “next new thing” that will set them just a little apart from their peers. Help them make a kandi weave by creating a loom with a straw and then, to appease their younger siblings -- who almost certainly don’t want to be left out of the fun -- make an even simpler twisted kandi weave.
Rock baskets, also called “rock jacks,” serve as brace points for fencing or gates. These creations are used in rocky areas where it is difficult to drive fence posts to the proper depth and in areas where it is necessary to move large amounts of stray rock from the fence line. Rock baskets are considered a part of wildlife-friendly fencing, allowing deer to jump over the fence and smaller animals to go under the fence while keeping livestock contained. The exact height, spacing and materials used in constructing the baskets and fencing depends on the type of livestock you need…
A double drive spinning wheel is so-named because the long drive band goes around the spinning wheel twice through a series of pulleys or whorls. The drive band turns the flyer, a u-shaped piece of wood and also turns the bobbin nestled within -- or adjacent -- to the flyer on the same side of the wheel. The whorl groves are v-shaped and this allows the flyer to be driven forward while the u-shape groove of the bobbin allows "slippage" of the bobbin while you add twist to the fiber. Because the bobbin whorl and the flywheel whorl are different…
A "talking T" is a T-shirt that sports a word or phrase as its design. Some talking T's designs are sewn on or embroidered with string. Though not delicate, the string in such designs can break or fray as the shirt is worn repeatedly. Rudimentary sewing skills easily remedy this damage. However, an improper choice of replacement string's color can result in an unprofessional repair. Mending large areas of string damage can demand extra fabric as well.
Add a touch of homey coziness to bare floors with colorful scatter rugs. Made from basic cotton fabric, braided scatter rugs can be as large or small as you need to cover your floor area. If you reuse fabric scraps from old clothes or sheets, making scatter rugs can cost very little money. Choose fabrics in colors that match your room decor and make a 3-foot-wide scatter rug for your floor.
A balloon, yarn and glue make up the basic components for creating your own basket for decorative purposes. An inflated balloon creates the mold for the basket so choose the size of the balloon based on how large you want the finished basket. The basket requires drying time before it is hard enough to hold its shape without the balloon for support. This project works well for children with adult supervision. The yarn color and the pattern in which it is applied to the balloon determine the appearance of your homemade basket.
Epingle fabric is woven on a wire loom and is a type of high-quality velvet with a loop and cut pile that may be woven into the same piece of fabric. The fabric is heavy and often used today for upholstery, but in medieval times it was used to make clothing for kings, princes, bishops, cardinals and the pope. Epingle fabric was first made in Genoa and Lucca, Italy, and is now more commonly manufactured in Belgium.
Paracord is a tough, weather-resistant and inexpensive material available cheaply from a variety of sources that run the gamut from online retailers to military surplus dealers. Making a Hurricane lanyard out of paracord will only require that you select your paracord Hurricane colors -- royal blue and bright yellow -- and have a few spare hours to devote to knotting strands together to fashion the length of the lanyard. Though a little time-intensive, this craft can be easily finished by kids and adults alike.
An Ashford traditional spinning wheel is one of several commercially produced treadle spinning wheels that are based on the spinning wheels once used to make yarn. A treadle spinning wheel is foot-powered. Spinning yarn and weaving it into cloth is a popular craft today, and setting up an Ashford traditional spinning wheel is fairly easy. Don’t be discouraged if it takes you a few tries to successfully spin useable yarn. You have to develop a feel for feeding the fiber to the spinning wheel, and that takes practice.
A circle weave can instantly enhance your appearance. Because circle weaves are not attached to your own hair, they're ideal if your hair is damaged and needs time to restore. Circle weaves are glued to a stocking cap that covers your hair. They're attached in a circle around your head, which makes it easy to create bangs. Additionally, circle weaves take less time to put in compared to sew-in weaves.
Create an edgy and trendy hairstyle without having to shave half of your head. You can create a modish side Mohawk hairstyle from medium or long hair to take your locks from sedate to flamboyant with a complete hairdo transformation. Use a weave in the same color as your own hair for a seamless addition, or make your new style stand out even more with a weave streaked with vivid colors.
As a general rule of thumb, any kind of rug placed onto stairs can be unsafe. The key to keeping your stairs safe if using braided rug stair treads is installing the treads correctly using proper padding and carpet anchors. Once the treads are properly installed, the treads won't go anywhere.
Newspaper has many uses aside after it’s been read. Make a woven basket from newspaper that will be strong enough to hold objects and that you can carry around without fear of it tearing or falling apart. Besides the newspaper, you will need a few supplies found around the home. No special skills are required, although the weaving process does require attention to detail and patience to do it correctly.
Creating a purse from recycled jersey T-shirts can combine the ancient art of braiding rugs with a modern commitment to green living. While the rug-braiding technique used to develop the fabric of the purse can be extremely time-consuming, the simple technique can easily be mastered by beginning and intermediate crafters. If a tight gauge is used while braiding, the resulting purse is extremely durable. Search local secondhand stores for used cotton T-shirts to dramatically reduce the cost of the project.
When adding a woven extension, or a weave, to natural hair, the trick to making it look as authentic as possible is to keep it very close to the head. Close weaves ensure that the weft roots are not visible after months of wear, and they allow the wearer to keep the extensions in her hair for up to three months. But after that point, the braids that hold the weave in place will have grown out, requiring the wearer to sew the weave in again. This process takes a lot of training on the stylist's part to accomplish it…
A good outline for a speech on latch hook informs the audience about the major aspects of latch hooking as a craft. Because the average audience member may not know what latch hook is, the speaker should first introduce the topic, provide a brief background on the topic and explain why that topic may be important to the audience. When craft instructors introduce new craft projects, they also must provide enough information on the topic to thoroughly educate the audience about that topic.
Old, tattered and even stained bed sheets look fresh and new again when they are braided into a traditional rag rug. If you already have the sheets, this thrifty project doesn't cost anything but your time to make. It also doesn't require any special skills. If you can braid hair and sew a basic running stitch, you can make a brand new rug in an afternoon. Customize the rug by choosing colors that match your decor.
Wall tapestries are one of the many ways to decorate your home without spending a small fortune. In addition, a tapestry can hide imperfections in your wall and update the overall appearance of the room. Since tapestries are available in a wide array of colors, designs and sizes, they work well in any room. There are several things to consider when choosing a tapestry to help complement the room.
Adding a sliding knot to your handmade necklace or bracelet allows you to make it adjustable in size. It's easier to put on and take off, and you can be sure it's going to fit the person who purchases the necklace, or who receives it as a gift. Make the adjustable closure with the same cord you used to make the necklace or bracelet, or choose a contrasting cord so that the closure stands out. The closure is a series of simple square knots that surround both ends of the necklace or bracelet.
A spinning wheel is a simple machine used to convert textile fibers into thread or yarn. Yarn spun from the wheel is collected on a bobbin or a stick, which in turn is woven into a loom or a cloth. Typical household or small scale spinning wheels are made from wood, and are used to twist fibers of cotton or wool into thread. Most wooden spinning wheels sold in stores can be corroded and creaky and often required scraping, oiling and polishing before they can become fully functional.
Clip-in hair weaves, or extensions, add waves or large, luscious curls to your hair instantly. They are especially helpful if you’ve tried styling your hair with rollers, gel, mousse and hairspray but find it hard to hold the curls in your hair. Clip-in extensions are easy to attach and to remove; with clip-in weaves, you can change your hair length and style in just a few minutes. Clip-in weaves are also useful if you have a hard time growing your hair past your shoulders, because they can quickly add length and body to your hair.
Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, especially puppies, but the action can have disastrous results when dogs chew on inappropriate items like rugs. If the dog moves on to chewing dangerous or poisonous items, the consequences could even become deadly. To prevent property destruction and injury, take steps to stop chewing behavior and prevent future occurrences.
A lanyard can be very handy for holding yours keys, identification card, bus pass and any other small items that you otherwise frequently have to dig through your bag or purse for. Lanyards can be made in different styles, depending on your personal taste. Plastic thread, sometimes called gimp string, is commonly used for making box stitch lanyards. Your lanyard can be made long enough to wear around your neck like a necklace, or short enough to slip around your wrist like a bracelet.
Macrame is the art of tying cords into knots. The knotted cords can be crafted into clothing, jewelry and other items. Macrame is easy once you have mastered the knots, but can take time and patience to complete. With all things vintage making a comeback, macrame is no exception. Macrame tops, skirts and shawls have all been seen on the catwalks and you can make your own to keep up with fashion trends. This short skirt can be worn by itself or over tights for a neat fall look.
Twining is a method of weaving rugs from strips of cloth. Unlike ordinary weaving, twining uses two strips of fabric at once, wrapping them alternately around the warp thread so that the warp is completely hidden. It's not as sophisticated as most weaving, being used to make very humble rag rugs, but you can produce beautiful rugs just the same. Twined rugs are also quite sturdy and last for years with proper care. Nearly any kind of fabric can be used to make the fabric strips, but choose fabrics made from similar fibers, with similar weight. For instance, make a…
The key to knitting a sturdy basket is having tight stitches. That means using the smallest needles you can for the yarn you are using. Even then, the basket still might not be sturdy enough for its intended purpose. When this is the case, there are options for making the basket stiffer and sturdier and involve techniques that can also be used with crocheted baskets.
Raffia is a long, flexible straw-like material that comes from the Raffia palm. The fiber comes from the inside of the frond, which is cut open. Raffia ribbon is a little different than plain raffia because it is neatly rolled and compressed so that there are no rough ends. The resulting ribbon is died in many different colors to be used in crafts or to decorate packages and other objects with bows. Large bundles or spools are readily available in most craft stores.
Drafting is the process of pulling a small amount of fiber from a material using a spinning wheel. The density of the twisted fiber is dependent on how much of it is drafted, and the resulting twisted fiber can be used in any number of craft projects. The basic process of drafting fiber with a spinning wheel can be learned by anyone who is willing to devote some time and practice.
A bearskin rug can be a cozy addition to your living room come wintertime. To get the look without using real fur, consider a faux fur rug as an alternative. Faux fur can be purchased from most fabric stores, and comes in a variety of colors. In addition, the fur part covers up stitch lines, making this a perfect project for novice sewers. The finished project can be kept or given to a friend as a charming gift.
The Color Zone weaving loom is a family favorite because it is easy to use from a very young age. Children are proud to be able to weave usable potholders using this simple loom, but they often have trouble understanding how to end the project and hand it off to the adults around them. Edging the potholder is not as hard as it looks. It just requires some eye-hand coordination.
Constructing a wire basket is a creative and environmentally friendly way to demonstrate your talent in craft making talent. A soldering technique, for example, is ideal for designing a rectangular-shaped basket with steel net sides. Soldering is the process of fusing two metals together; providing a permanent bond for your basket. Including a thin wire handle allows you to clutch and carry the basket with comfort. Carry your finished basket to the store or give it as a gift for the fellow artist, shopper or eco-friendly enthusiast in your life.
Baskets and purses function as one and the same. They are both used for storing things and toting items around. While purses carry such objects as wallets, car keys and cell phones, baskets are more known for providing storage space for food and presents. If you have a basket that you wish to turn into a purse, use the basket as the purse's frame. The basket handle, for instance, can serve as the purse's shoulder or arm strap. However, if the basket does not have a handle, you must create one for the purse.
Whether you need a container for your next romantic picnic or want to practice weaving, make a cedar bark basket. Northwest Coast Indians made cedar bark baskets for thousands of years. Cedar bark is durable and pliable. It can be interwoven to construct the basket bottom and walls. Cedar baskets are a natural and Earth-friendly alternative to plastic baskets. Making cedar baskets is an activity the whole family can enjoy.
The act of baling hay is the final step in a process that includes cutting, drying and raking. A baler will compact the hay into bundles, making transport and storing of the forage more efficient. Balers are designed according to the size and shape of the bales desired by farmers. Large livestock operations might prefer round bales that are ordinarily -- but not necessarily -- larger than bales of other shapes. A smaller farm or nursery can work optimally with smaller square or rectangular bales. For this latter constituency, the International Harvester Corporation introduced its model 430 square baler in…
You can make a daisy-shaped rug out of cotton, without buying any specialized tools. The toothbrush rug -- a style of braided rug -- was born out of improvisation, using things that people had on hand. It's a simple process to make the tool and the strips, as well as the rug itself. However, if you prefer, the tool and strips of fabric can be purchased online or from craft retailers.
A tube scarf made with yarn is enjoyed by many individuals who live in cold climates. The double thickness of the scarf provides extra warmth on cold days. A hand knitted or crocheted tube scarf is very time consuming. A fast and fun way to make a homemade tube scarf is using a round loom. Make a 45-inch tube scarf with two skeins of 4-ply worsted weight yarn. Allow approximately three hours to complete the process.
If you use baskets frequently to hold your personal items, you may grow tired of using the basic, plain reed baskets that you can buy from a department store. One alternative is to make your own out of other materials. For example, make a whimsical yarn basket using standard basketry reeds and colorful yarn. You can even make use of colorful scrap yarn that you might have left over from some of your other craft projects.
