Tutorial: Adding fringe to a woven wrap (or any woven fabric!)

Okay, so I wasn't 100% lazy over the summer.  Here's a little tutorial on a project I did, adding fringe to a wrap.   This could be used on any piece of woven fabric, and would be a great way to add a little something to a simple shawl or table runner. 

First, If your fabric has a hem, cut off the hemmed edge.   My wrap had tapered ends, so I cut it straight across.   The straighter your cut, the easier it will be to remove the weft threads. (As the photo below indicates, I'm not very good at cutting straight and learned this firsthand.)

With a seam ripper, undo the side seams a few inches (the length you want your fringe to be).

Use a seam ripper or pin to loosen the first weft thread (the one going across the width of the fabric), then grab the thread and gently pull out. 

Continue, pulling the threads out one at a time.  Yes, this takes a long time, but you'll end up with a big snag if you try to pull more than one thread at a time. Once you get the fringe to the length you would like, you can put a stitch in the side hems to keep them from unraveling further.


Gather a small piece of fringe and knot, continuing in evenly spaced increments along the length of the fabric.  I held my fabric down with a pin, so I could use both hands to gather and knot and the wrap would stay in place. 

After finishing the first row of knots, I separated each strand, placed two adjacent strands together and knotted again.  You could also twist these around each other once and knot if you have enough length.

Trim any uneven fringe.  The fringe might be a bit crinkly from being woven, but it will straighten out with a wash or just a swish in hot water.  You might need to untangle with a comb after washing.

One of the things that helped me get even knots was to wait until I had all the knots done in each row before I tightened them completely.  I was able to move the knots up or down slightly when tightening as needed.

Here it is finished!

 And here it is in action, with a crumb-faced baby.

Hello Again!

 So, I've been gone all summer long (hey we've been busy!), but inspired by three days straight of rain and sweater weather, and some gentle prodding from family, I have returned.  We have really been enjoying the cool days, making vegetable soup and bread.  Knowing the weather around here, we'll get a bit more hot weather before fall really starts, which we will also enjoy...maybe even more now that we've had this little taste of Autumn.

sweater weather!

bread!



In addition to our regular routine of reading, songs, cooking and whatnot, we have really enjoyed the summer hanging out at home and traveling to visit with family.  We went the beach and had a fantastic time with our grandparents.  The girls love the water, building sandcastles, and watching kites.

At home, we've been doing a lot more art.  Mostly tempera paint, and crayons, also some chalk on our big easel chalkboard.  A little play-dough with rolling pins and cookie cutters, too.

 I started a lot of crafts that are still in progress.  Some doll clothes, crowns, dresses for the girls, and these applique beanbags.  Goodness.  I'd better get to work.  I have been trying to take advantage of this nice weather and do some sewing outside, especially in the morning while its cool and the girls are playing.

 We have been playing a lot of dress up.  We are loving flouncy skirts and "snowman hats".

Mostly we have been hanging out outside in the garden, helping mama to water the plants, lazing about on blankets, having tea parties, playing with water, sand, leaves, sticks and other

outside stuff, hanging in the wrap swings and having a good time.

We have had a relaxed and easy summer, as the season should be, and are excited for the fall (at least I am).  Looking forward to pumpkins, apples and the return to rhythm and routine that the season seems to bring.  Hopefully that will also include updating this blog. 

See you soon (promise!)