Tablet Weaving

Our July meeting was a talk and workshop on tablet (card) weaving by Guild members Chas Field and Sue Iddon.

Chas and Sue appeared on 'The One Show' on Friday July 23rd featuring their brave decision to have their long Viking locks cut off. The deed took place under the scissors of 'the Street Barber' at Hale Carnival in June and the money they have raised will go to the Little Princess charity who raise funds to provide young cancer sufferers with top quality wigs. If anyone else would like to sponsor them (they have raised £800..........wouldn't £1,000 be wonderful)! please get in touch with Chas or Sue.

Chas' talk provided a fascinating insight into the history of tablet weaving. Thought to date from the Iron Age, with an amazing variety of materials used to create the tablets, the craft provided decorative trimmings for garments. It was astonishing to learn that Vikings of high status had beautiful braid incorporating silk and silver.

So many intricate and colourful patterns can be created relatively easily and in no time at all Sue and Chas had us weaving stripes and chevrons on eight tablets with simple equipment.