Gallery of Fiber Art

Ply-Splitting Gallery

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Gallery Page 1 -- Weaving | Gallery Page 2 -- Ply-Splitting | Gallery Page 3 -- Mixed Media |
Gallery Page 4 -Christmas Cards

Ply-splitting is traditionally found in the Thar Desert region of northwest India and Pakistan. There it is used to create girths, straps, and carrying bags for camels. Instead of elements moving over and under each other, in ply-splitting four-ply cords move through each other. A cord is split such that two plies are on one side of a tool and two plies on the other. Another cord is then pulled through the opening. Several cords can be split in succession with one cord pulled through all the openings. Resulting braids and vessels are dense, very durable, and lend themselves to sculptural effects.

All of the cords in these pieces were made by Barbara.