Fingerwoven Sashes BasicTechniques

The book Fingerwoven Sashes Basic Techniques provides detailed instructions for three forms of fingerweaving that were developed by the people of the First Nations and the settlers of North America. Warpface, openface, and interlanked are the three forms of fingerweaving included in this book¬¬. These instructions present the information needed to identify and reproduce these three styles of historic sashes.The warpface style of fingerweaving has only the warp strands visible on the surface of the sash. The weft strands are hidden. Warpface fingerweaving was the last style of fingerweaving developed and frequently the first style of fingerweasving taught to beginning weavers. As a result, many people assume that the term fingerweaving referes only to the warpface style.The openface style of fingerweaving has no clear warp and weft strands. The basic structure of the sash is composed of two sets of strands that are diagonally woven in an over/under fashion. In this style of fingerweaving, small white beads are woven into the fabric to create numerous geometric patterns. Other names for this style of fingerweaving are: oblique, diagonally interlaced, basket weave, and plainface. Sometimes this style of weaving is referred to as braiding or plaiting.The interlinked style of fingerweaving has only warp strands. Each strand forms a coil that is linked to the coils of the adjacent strands. The linked structure allows the sash to be stretched from side to side giving it a net like appearance. Sometimes the interlinked style of fingerweaving is referred to as sprang weaving. Howeve, sprang weaving is a method of weaving that can be used to produce several styles of weaving, not just interlinked weaving. The interlinked style of weaving is associated with late 18th and early 19th century military sashes.The three styles of fingerweaving included in Fingerwoven Sashes Basic Techniques may be the most common styles of fingerweaving. Due to the lack of documentation the origins of these styles of fingerweaving are unclear. It is possible that as more people learn how to fingerweave, their knowledge will enable them to recognize clues about the origins of fingerweaving that are hidden in letters, journals, trade list, museum catalogues, and other historic documents. Read more