Fig. 225. The way to join a braid
Two plain boards that are as long as the dowels and three inches wide by a quarter of an inch deep will be required now. Slip into one of these boards at each end between the warp threads and bring the boards to the centre and tie together to keep them from slipping.
Take a piece of cord nine inches longer than a dowel and tie to the throat of the lower left-hand screw. Make a knot at first warp string and slip it over dowel. Twist the double thread two, three or four times. Repeat slipping over dowel and twisting between every two warp strings until you reach the right hand screw. Tie the threads to the screw. This is called pairing the threads. Repeat the pairing at the other dowel. When the pairing is finished slip the lower dowel out of the rings and tie the dowel again to the screws.
To space the warp threads an upholsterer's needle and carpet thread will be needed.
If the weaving occupies the full size of the frame, hitch or tie the carpet thread to the lower left-hand screw, while if the warp threads do not extend very far over place an extra screw on the outside of the frame where the warp threads begin.
Buttonhole stitch over the dowel keeping the lower thread down and the upper thread on top.
Hold the warp threads apart with finger of the left hand while buttonholing. Pull your stitches tight. Two or three stitches should be made between each two warp threads. The stitches must be an eighth of an inch apart.
Now we are ready for the bridge.
Two feet, as they are called, will be necessary to support the bridge. A carpenter will make them for a small amount. They should be seven inches high by three inches wide at the base ([Figure 226]). One foot is placed in the centre of opposite sides of the frame and the third dowel run through the holes.