Gimp Braiding Projects

LANYARDS • LEASHES • BELTS • BRACELETS
Copyright, 1940 by FELLOWCRAFTERS, INC. Boston, Massachusetts PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
For the convenience of craftsmen, we have assembled in this booklet the directions for many of the popular gimp projects, with suggestions for a multitude of patterns which can be made with any desired color combination. These directions have been completely illustrated in color, so that every step can readily be understood, since the true simplicity of braiding has often been obscured by complicated instructions and illustrations.
The material itself is a special coated tape made in various colors and shapes. Standard gimp and Titan lacing are flat and 3/32″ wide. The special ¼″ wide gimp also is flat. Round or cord gimp is available in either 3/64″ or 5/64″ diameters. These various types of gimp can be purchased by the yard, though they are much less expensive when secured by the spool. Leather lacings may be used in place of gimp where particular effects are desired.
Standard and wide gimps have a seam on one face. Always start braiding with this seam next to the core and be careful at the edge of the braid to fold each strand so that the seam remains inside or on the back of the work. Titan lacing is seamless, and therefore can be used with either surface on the outside of the braid. A well-made article, however, should have no twisted strands, whether made of standard gimp, or of seamless Titan lacing.
In all work with gimp it is essential to keep all the strands pulled tight, and to adjust every row of stitches, in order to ensure that the braid will be uniform.
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The recently developed basket-weave bracelets are among the easiest and most popular projects for flat gimp. This is in part due to the fact that they offer so many possibilities for originality of design. The standard gimp types, for instance, may be made with from one to seven colors, so it is possible to match them with any color schemes of belts or leashes, or to make them harmonize with any costume.