Preparing your Bark for Weaving

Cedar bark, there is so much history found in its uses. This video demonstrates a quick, easy method to prepare your bark for weaving. Today we use a leather cutting tool, called the Table Top Leather Lace Cutter, or a Jerry Stripper.

After soaking the raw cedar bark strip for 3 hours or so, cut into 1 inch width strips.

Then split bark into two lengths, before cutting again into 1/8" , 1/4" , or 1/2" inch strips.

Dry cut strips, by bundling into small rolls for later weaving if not used all at once.


 

How to weave Reindeer Ornaments

At the end of October, and Starting in November, is the time many people start weaving ornaments for the Winter Ceremonies. This small project is a great gift and fund raiser for the season.

Start with 2 pieces of 1/4" width cedar bark - 16" long, and 3 pieces (for the legs and tail) 10" short.

Essentially you are braiding, starting with the tail.

Starts out as a 7 strand braid for the body, a 5 strand for the neck, 3 strand for the head, and 4 strand for the antlers.

Ending a Hat

There are various ways to end a hat, of them is in the inside, to "hide" the seam, and make the edge look seamless.

This video shows how to end a hat from the inside. Finishing on the outside or top side of the hat is similar. The first warp that you fold over should be looped so that you can weave the wefts through it at the end of the row.





 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCA0E2YopQc

Extending/Inserting Wefts and Warps

Throughout weaving your project, whether it be a hat or basket, you will need to insert or add in, some say extend, the wefts or warps which seems to be getting shorter.

Overlapping the elements (either warp or weft) takes a little patience, and over time with practice, your joining will look seamless.

---

Inserting a Warp

While Twinning a small hat, this video demonstrates a way to add in a warp.

---

Inserting/Extending a Weft

As you are twinning, you may need to insert a weft here or there. In this video I demonstrate how to insert a short weft or a long weft.

---

Accessories

Cedar Bark Bracelets

The Cedar Bark Bracelet is the most popular workshop and also an introduction project for beginners who want to learn a little bit about weaving and peoples connection to the cedar tree. Each workshop includes all tools needed and enough cedar bark for everyone to make one or two bracelets. Buttons are an optional extra and can be made of shells. Another small project is the friendship cordage bracelet which takes less time to assemble.

Friendship Bracelet

Cedar Bark Hats

Traditional Haida Hat 15" or 17" Brim circumference - fine twilled weave - custom headband fit - no design or patterns

Squamish Hat  - fine twilled weave - also available with chaser twill weave

Boaters Style Cedar Bark hat - available in sizes medium, large & xlarge - fine twilled weave - also available with chaser twill

---

All hats are available for individual purchase made to order (not in stock).
Please email me for prices and additional info.

---

Fedora Hats

- sizes 22.5", 23", 23.5"

- fine twine weave

How to harvest Cedar Bark

How to Harvest Cedar Bark video tutorial

During the Spring/summer of 2012, a group of urban weavers headed out to Squamish Country to harvest some cedar bark with Haida weaver Todd DeVries, demonstrating.

inner bark		cedar bark

Gathering Cedar Bark illustrations by Hilary Stewart in "Cedar: The tree of life"