Flat braids

Flat braids are among the most diverse and extensive group among the other types of weaves of straw. Principal flat braids can be made in the form of strips whose length is not limited. The width of the braids can vary from a few millimeters to 8.-12 cm, the most common flat weave has a width of 1-3 cm Various sizes of straw ribbons allow you to use them when creating products of a different nature, however, a special quality flat braided, which laid the basis of their diversity, is the large number of textures. The texture of the weaving are formed in various ways weave Solomin, they combined with the decorative qualities of straw stalk straw give the product an exceptional expressiveness and feature.
Flat braids may have the same pattern of textures with the front and inside, they will be called one-sided; braids, which have a different pattern of textures on the opposite sides will be referred to as bilateral.
Use flat braids in many ways. The products are made of flat braided, used one of their basic properties — plasticity. Wet straw plaiting can be easily bent in any plane. Of the stitched flat woven by the masters form a variety of three-dimensional form. After drying they acquire the necessary rigidity and shape may remain unchanged for many years.
If you look closely at the products made by the craftsmen and artists of straw, almost all of them we have a flat weave. Hats and bags they are the basis of design in sculpture are the main elements for the manufacture of clothing dolls, fabulous bird feathers, animal hair, small Souvenirs and toys to demonstrate all her beauty not in the large mass of the product, and each separately.
Next, you will learn the basic technologies of manufacturing of flat braids. All braids will be presented by groups, the basis for the formation of which is the number of straws involved in weaving. As you explore the various tangles, you will discover the regularities of their formation in the future will be able to come up with your braids. Try to stick to the established order of the transition from simple networks to more complex, in order not to miss important details that you will need in the future.
Remember also that the main forming braids are weave working culm guides break and bend the working straw (see "concepts and methods").
Getting to the netting, don't forget about the necessity of the following conditions for success:
you must have the required tool (see the "Materials");
straw needs to be provisioned (see "Materials");
flat braids, typically woven from straws the middle part of the stem, which have the entire length the same diameter and sufficient length. You can use the straw top knee (they removed a tapered area so that the strips were approximately equal diameter throughout its length);
when one braids weave all of the straw that participate in the weaving must be of the same diameter;
the finished weaving look more smooth and dense, it is preferably rolled with a rolling pin on a flat hard surface covered with one or two layers of fabric that absorbs moisture well.
The position of the hands and fingers while braiding. When performing a weaving special attention should be paid to the position of the hands and fingers. The thumb and index finger of the hand which holds the working straw are in the site of the alleged break or bend the working straw near the netting, the rest of the straw held inside the palm of the hand. The thumb and forefinger of the second hand hold the braid in the middle part of its width, fixing the last weave, the straw in that hand, held it with his hand.
Major groups of flat braids will be considered five, will be considered separately extending Solomin in a flat braids for long straw ribbons.
The main groups of section: Braids of even numbers of straws:
of the four Solomin; of six or more Solomin. Braids of an odd number of straws:
of the three Solomin; of five or more Solomin. Flat braids of other species. The extension of the flat braids.