Tin-Can Weaving

Subject: Tin-Can Weaving Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:37 pm

Tin-Can Weaving

Recycle Tin-Cans into attractive woven pieces from bowls to plates to covered containers.
Besides empty tin cans you need crepe paper and any clear polymer medium sold for craft work.
Slightly thinned white glue will also do the job of stiffening the finished weaving and protecting it from dust and soil.
Directions are for a woven piece that can be used as a flower pot cover, to hold dry arrangements or snack type foods. It can be turned into a covered canister by adding a woven lid. The basic weaving technique is the same for making other tin can weaving projects. Shapes can be varied simply by bending the tin spokes to whatever shape you wish as the weaving progresses.

Remove label from tin can, wash and dry it. Using permanent felt marker, mark division 1/2 inch apart from top rim to bottom. all around can. These will be the ribs over which weaving is done.
Mark first one on seam of can, then proceed on around, ending with an uneven number of ribs. Adjust width of several ribs slightly, if necessary, to result in an uneven number. Using tin snips, cut through top rib to botton of can
Bend ribs straight out from bottom of can.
To prepare crepe paper for weaving, cut strips 3/4 inch wide.
Use an awl or a nail to punch hole approximatgely 1/8 inch diameter through center of piece of 2 inch square cardboard. The side where the punch goes in will have a smooth edge, other side will be a cone shaped opening. Stretch end of crepe paper strip several inches, roll end into a point and pass it through opening in cardboard, going in from smooth side and out through cone. Hold cardboard in left hand, putting light tension on crepe paper betwen your thumb and forefinger. Grasp end of crepe paper strip with right hand and pull entire strip slowly through hold to form strip into a stretched, twisted length of raffia-like weaving material
Slip one end of raffia between two ribs with end of raffia on inside of can against bottom. Weave strip over and under ribs being careful not to pull paper so tight that it is cut by edges of ribs
Weave around ribs for four rows. pushing each successive row tight against one before it to completely cover and hide ribs.
Hold edge of 1/2 inch thick piece of wood down on rib jsut at last row of weaving and bend rib up sharply. Move wood to next rib and bend it up to match first. Continue on around can in this way bending up successive ribs being careful to make bends at same place on each rib so top of container will be even continue weaving
When you reach end of strip of raffia, glue end of another strip to it and continue weaving
Change colors whenever you wish by gluing two colors of strips together.
Cut off excess raffia and glue end of weaving strip to part already woven.
Cut strip of crepe paper 1 inch wide, long enough to go around can and over lap 1/2 inch. Glue this strip around inside of can for about half its width. Bring strip over top and glue to outside of can to hide tops of ribs. Cut through fold of crepe paper to make strip 1 inch. Stretch into raffia as you did weaving strips.
Divide stip of raffia in half length-wise, then cut each piece into thirds ot make six pieces of equal length. Glue all six pieces together at one end. Make flat, three strand braid, using two strips of raffia as one strand for braiding. Make braid long enough to reach around can.
Glue braid around outside top of can the ends of braid should butt against each other, not overlap

Brush on coat of clear polymer medium, inside and out, using a narrow (1/2 to 1 inch ) soft bristled paint brush. Brush over only once. Repeated brushing will soak the paper and cause colors to bleed into each other. When dry, brush on a second coat.
To make lid for covered canister. use beverage can for ribs. Remove top of can and cut in strips from top to bottom, ending with an uneven number.
Bend ribs out and over to turn can inside out for weaving. Top will be domed rather than concave. Set can on top of tumbler for another beverage can so top can be shaped as weaving progresses. Weave lid to fit top of container 1/2 inch on sides. Glue end of weaving strip. Cut off ribs letting them extend 1/4 inch beyond weaving, bend alternate ribs back against outside of weaving, rest against inside
Make two braids as you did for container. Glue one around outside top edge of lid, the other around outside bottom edge to hide ends so ribs.
Coat with polymer medium
Punch hole through top center of lid and use wooden drawer pull for lid knob.