Woven Braided Trim—the perfect complement to your fiber art project

Do you want to finish a garment with a coordinating trim? Do you ever need that extra decorative touch to make a project "complete"? The program on Woven Braided Trims at the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild November meeting provided solutions to these dilemmas. 

Inspired by Jacqui Carey's book, 200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, or Weave, a demonstration on woven trims provided numerous possibilities for making trims and braids. Starting with as few as three cords or yarns, simple to elaborate trims can be created. By adding additional strands, beads or colors, the trims can become ornate, intricate or more robust.  

To make it easier to thread beads onto the cord or yarn, use a small piece of transparent tape or a dab of Fray-Check seam sealant. Choosing a tight or looser weave will determine a warp- or weft-faced design.

C-clamps mounted on a table edge help to keep even tension while working on multi-thread braids.

By using the same yarn, thread or cord that was used in your knitted, crocheted or woven project, the trim will be a perfect match. Once you get started, you won't want to stop.

The program was accompanied by Show and Tell from guild members and guests.

Left: woven jacket from "stash" yarns. Right: quilt combining vintage Dresden plate pieces and contemporary fabrics.

Left: knitted "Stay on" baby booties. Right: a first-time weaving class project.

Left: hand knit sweater from sugar cane yarn. Right: hand woven shawl.

Knitted sampler afghan using various cable motifs.

Side-to-side knitted baby sweater.

Join us at an upcoming Riverbend Fiber Arts guild meeting and learn some fun and interesting fiber art techniques! New members and visitors are always welcome.