Weaving MatsDoing, Being, Belong, Become

DescriptionThe following slides are illustrating the

occupation of Weaving mats. Some pictures were taken at Craft and Care facility where elderly come together to create crafts and spend time with one another. I chose to show weaving as a craft because it is a way for people to do, be, become, belong. Weaving is one among many crafts we do to bring people together by helping showing other people how to do it. It brings a sense of being part of something and belong to a group or society.

Coffee time

Weaving is a way to bring people together. This is two elderly woman having a coffee at Craft & Care before they begin weaving.

SpaceThe space for undertaking weaving is set up

Materials

There are many materials used to weave such as cotton and wool. At craft and care, they were on a tight budget and made use of the free off-cuts an underwear company sends them. Crafts don’t need to be expensive.

You can weave with many different materials

Equipment

The equipment is set up to begin weaving

There's many different ways and tools used to weave

Begin!

Participants then begin to create their own weaving mats. There are different colours to make each one unique and you own.

Groups

Can be done in groups.

Or on your own

Patterns

Many different patterns to choose from

Breaks

It is wise to have breaks while weaving, there is a lot of concentration needed to get each weave on the mat correct.

Cultures

There are many different ways to weave and every culture has their own unique way of doing so.

Technology

Modern technology now enables weaving to be done in a matter of seconds. But this can take away the belonging people gain to what they achieve as the end product.

Finishing!

This participant has created a unique and individual woven mat and she has become apart of a group while doing so.

This participant is excited to have finished a woollen mat.

The finished product

On the far right you will see the woven mats which are sold on to fellow crafters or visitors to the site. They can also be gifted or used in your own home.

Purposes

This is a flax weave and is being used as a door mat.

This one is being used as a placemat on a dinner table.

References Some photos taken with permission from participants of Craft & Care,

Forest lake road, taken by Grace Bell. (Slides: 3,4,7,8,9,13,16,17,18) (Slide 12)

http://cyclop-scenery.blogspot.co.nz/2009_09_01_archive.html (Slide 6) http://www.gnaana.com/blog/2010/07/mat-weaving-diy-paper-

placemat/ (Slide 14) http://www.traderscity.com/board/products-1/offers-to-sell-and-

export-1/bamboo-mats-weave-panel-sheet-plaiting-board-weaving-plywood-veneer-116561/

(Slide 6) http://howwemontessori.typepad.com/how-we-montessori/2011/07/circular-weaving-using-a-cardboard-frame.html

(Slide 10) http://easywebsite.net/Vietnam.html (Slide 11) http://www.wietelworld.com/Borneo/tom_ann_Borneo.htm (slide 15)

http://www.shm-mall.com/368_wamatex_weaving_machines.htm (Slide 19) http://www.flaxworx.co.nz/index.php?

pr=Other_woven_treasures&curPhoto=4&curAlbum=#album (Slide 20) http://www.summerandwinterweaving.com/