Saami crafts

[jimbo75]

Does anyone know where I could purchase some of the woven decorative bands that you see on saami clothing and crafts? I wouldnt need much, just for a couple of projects. Cheers guys.

 

[v-ness]

If you contact Cyclingrelf on here, she might make you some on commission.

Cheers
Ness

 

[santaman2000]

Sammi? Small Arms & Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute?

 

[Retired Member southey]

Sammi? Small Arms & Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute?

No its Saami,

South African Ammunition Inspectorate, you were close but no cigar!

 

[Wayland]

I found this ebay shop recently that has a reasonable collection.

 

[forestwalker]

I'm trying to remember, aren't they woven with a "gate" style loom? If so it is dead easy to make one, and in the basic sense also fairly easy to use. A quick google indicates that they were either free hand braided or woven on a gate (http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandgrind). An google (image) search for "bandgrind" will show a number of examples of gates, as well as instructions written in incomprehensible foreign languages (e.g. Swedish).

Toddy might know the correct English terminology; I don't.

 

[Wayland]

The originals were made on a small loom like this but most of the stuff used on modern costume is produced industrially these days.

Tablet weave or bands produced on an inkle loom are a good substitute if you want something close to the originals or the link above is more like the modern stuff.

 

[Eric_Methven]

The Bandgrind shown above is known in this country as a "rigid heddle". In the New World it's known as a "Backstrap Loom". It can be easily made from ice lolly sticks. Ice lolly sticks can be bought from moddeling or craft shops in large bags. You just need to drill a small hole through the middle of each one then space them out evenly with a stick above and below as long as you want the heddle to be. The wider the heddle, the wider the band.

A rigid heddle is also a very useful tool for making tump lines.

Eric

 

[jimbo75]

Thankyou guy's. Very helpful information.. :You_Rock_

 

[Grey Owl]

If anyone is looking for handwoven banding like this. There is a young woman living on the Yukon River about 40km downstream of Dawson City, YT that sells her product for $20-$30CAD/metre depending on the width. Send a pm and I can provide her name and email address. During the summer they have reasonable communication, but come winter they pick up mail/email every 3-4 months.

This summer I was able to spend some time learning the technique and the method for copying and developing patterns. Her work is exquisite, and she is a delight to converse with.

 

[forestwalker]

The Bandgrind shown above is known in this country as a "rigid heddle". In the New World it's known as a "Backstrap Loom".

Ahh, I wondered if it was the same, but my quick (and furtive) googling at work did not establish this. Knowledge. Love it.

It can be easily made from ice lolly sticks. Ice lolly sticks can be bought from moddeling or craft shops in large bags. You just need to drill a small hole through the middle of each one then space them out evenly with a stick above and below as long as you want the heddle to be. The wider the heddle, the wider the band.

A rigid heddle is also a very useful tool for making tump lines.

Or one could be made from wood with a minimal level of skill and tools. I suspect that thin birch ply would work ok.