Weaving Techniques
The different weaving techniques used depend on the culture, the type of material used to make the product, the product we are talking about, and the technology at the time. The process of weaving involves strands of materials or threads that are passed in an over/under pattern again and again.
Table weaving is considered to be the traditional style of weaving as it is the oldest technique used. It is still considered to be a craft undertaken by those with skill and patience.
Braided weaving is used to make colorful decorations and boarders for the weaved products. This is commonly referred to as inkling weaving as well. There are four basic weaving techniques that apply to making baskets: plaiting, wicker, twining, and coiling. Plaiting involves weaving two materials over and under each other at right angles.
For wicker weaving a basic foundation is used to complete the shape of the product. The weft is weaved in the same over and under method as in plaiting. Twining involves using three or four very thin pieces of thread or wefts. Each one is separated and twisted around a stationary rod.
Coiling is a slightly different weaving process because it begins in the middle of the basket and as it coils around it gets larger. A technique very similar to sewing is used to bind the series of materials used in the coils.
Tapestries are made by using a special weaving technique that involves the wefts being divided into sections. The colors are carefully selected so that they work together well when they go from being separate materials to one during the weaving process. It is very important to prevent any vertical gaps in the color pattern from happening. Because of this there are limited number of techniques for weaving that work well to make a good tapestry.
There are many different types of weaving techniques used. Sometimes it depends on the level of skill the individual has. Other types it depends on how they were taught in their culture. Learning to weave by hand is very different than using a large looming machine found in many factories today. Weaving is a hard process for many people to learn unless it is a part of their heritage and they learn the concepts from a very early age. Weaving is generally done by women in such cultures.
