Model VI. - Cover For A Drinking Glass

Having chosen a glass of suitable size and shape, use pith one-quarter inch wide for the foundation rays, and cut the pieces long enough to pass around the glass lengthwise. The number of pieces will vary according to the diameter of the bottom of the glass, but must always be an uneven number. Fasten all together as in the preceding model, and lay this foundation on the desk, with the rays spread equally.

Wet the raphia and weave with a single strand, over one, under one, to the width of the bottom. At this point, using a sharp knife, carefully split the rays, and if the spokes are still too far apart insert others at regular intervals, after pointing the ends. Now score the pith, crosswise, at point of turning up for the sides, weave over and under until the required depth is reached, and then bind the top edge as in the preceding model.

Make the cover, in the same manner as the bottom, as large as the diameter of the top, and bind the edge, holding the pith against the thickness of the edge. Sew the cover into position and finish with a loop of elastic cord. Fasten a bead the size of a pea on the basket opposite the loop on the cover; for this, use a fine brad and clinch it on the inside of the basket. The loop should be long enough to catch over the bead for fastening.

Mat

Circular and oval mats, trays, bowls and baskets, may be made by twisting many strands of raphia into a sort of rope, and then sewing this rope into shape, using the buttonhole stitch.

Taking as many single strands as will make a rope of sufficient thickness, wind these for about six inches, with a single strand of raphia.

Then, beginning at the twisted end, place it inside to form the center of the mat. Now with a darning needle, threaded with a strand of dampened raphia, join the successive rows, as wound. See Fig. 7. Hold the loose ends toward the body.

Model VI. Cover for Drinking Glass.

In giving this work to very young children it will be necessary to wind the entire length of the rope, additional lengths being added by splicing. But for the older pupils, after the center is well started, it will not be necessary to wind further, as, with the left hand, the pupil can easily keep the rope in a sort of twist. Hold this twisted end close against the mat until fastened into place, and then twist another length and sew, and so on until the mat is the desired size.

Basket

Start with the twisted strand, as for the circular mat. Make the bottom of the basket three inches in diameter and then form the sides. Hold the rope so as to form a gradual flare to the sides, and form the handle from the one piece -that is, the handles are not made separate. After both handles are formed, continue the sewing until the handle first formed is reached, and fasten the end here.

Fig. 7. Mat (made from twisted raphia).

Fig. 8. Basket.

It will readily be seen that the firmness of the finished basket depends upon the firmness of the twisted rope. For large pieces it will be better to have the rope about three-fourths of an inch in diameter.

Rush Or Rope Basket

The basket shown in the illustration was made from rush which is found growing in marshy regions. Wire was used for the joining. A piece of No. 8 reed formed the handle. This was then covered with a twist of rush as shown.

As this material is not always readily obtained, a basket may be made from rope, using wire or stout cord for joining. Cut the rope into pieces twelve inches in length, and use two lengths of wire, each twenty-four inches long. Place one piece of rope on the desk and pass both pieces of wire around it and cross the ends of each, bringing the wire close to the rope, and each piece one and one-half inches away from the middle, thus leaving a space three inches between the wire. Now place the second piece of rope between the wires and again cross the ends and proceed until the last piece of rope is added, when the ends of the wire are twisted closely and cut. The ends of the rope are now brought together and the basket formed into a boat shape. A wire is twisted around the ends to hold them firmly in position. The foundation for the handles is formed by a piece of reed (No. 8) fourteen inches in length. This is covered with a twist of rope which may be brought over the wire which binds the ends together. If stout cord is used for joining it will be necessary to tie it after each piece of rope is laid in place, as the cord will not hold the rope so firmly as the wire will.

Detail of Rush Basket.

Model IX. Rush or Rope Basket.

Baskets of similar shape but larger size may be made from cornstalks when, of course, it would be better to use wire for joining.