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Home > Classes & Workshops > Get some ye olde skills with a medieval fingerloop braiding workshop

Get some ye olde skills with a medieval fingerloop braiding workshop

By Caroline King - June 27, 2013Posted in : Classes & Workshops, Heritage

When: 30th June 2013, 2pm – 6pm

Where: University House, St George Room, University of Leeds

£: 21.50

What is it?

The International Medieval Congress (IMC) attracts more than 1,800 medievalists from around the world to the University of Leeds. This summer it will be opening its doors to the public for the first time.  There will be a range of events from hands-on workshops, fairs displaying books and crafts, to concerts featuring medieval songs, poetry recitals and dancing.

On 30th June there will be a Medieval Fingerloop Braiding Workshop.  Fingerloop braiding was an important technique for making both round and flat cords throughout the medieval period.  It involves putting loops of thread on the fingers and then transferring the loops from one finger to another to make various patterns.  One of the many purposes for which these braids were used was in the production of bookmarks.  This workshop will look at the uses of fingerloop braids in the medieval period and the surviving evidence from written and artistic sources as well as from extant items.

This workshop is suitable for complete beginners, but also advances on the braiding workshop at IMC 2009.  Using modern instructions taken from a 15th century manuscript, participants will learn the basic techniques and will then make a silk braid suitable for use as a bookmark.  Participants will start by braiding individually.  The session will conclude with participants pairing up for some two-person braiding, building on the skills they acquired from individual braiding.  Everyone will end up with a beautiful silk braid of their own, along with some instructions so they can continue to practise at home.  All the instructions and materials required will be provided; participants only need to provide their own fingers!

This workshop can only accommodate a limited number of participants, so booking is strongly recommended.

More info: www.leeds.ac.uk/ims/imc/publicevents

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Tagged With: Fingerloop Braiding Workshop, International Medieval Congress, Leeds events, Yorkshire

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