Crafting Corn





Crafting Corn




Some Marquetry Techniques

Before starting, straws must be soaked for about 20 minutes in warm water. Then they are split and opened out. They need to be dry before they are stuck. (Details below)
Straw suppliers listed at base of page.

 

MarquetryStraw marquetry could be described as the art and craft of applying pieces of straw to a structure to form decorative patterns and designs.

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The simplest designs are probably made by covering a surface with various widths and colours of straw, in a single direction.  It is the natural shine of the straw which makes such objects look special.  


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Pictures can be made by punching or cutting shapes from straw and sticking onto a surface. It takes very advanced skills to inlay curved shapes into a straw background.  


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Here alternate colours of straws were glued horizontally onto a sheet of paper. They were then cut vertically so there were 'stripy' strips These were stuck onto the base making this pattern. To achieve a more even result requires very precise cutting of each original straw.


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More successful are patterns like these which are made by sticking and trimming the straw directly onto the surface which you wish to cover. The constantly changing direction of the straw causes light to reflect at different angles from the surface and the results are quite stunning. 


Techniques Here I describe how I made a table top

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The table. A very basic chipboard object. The design is drawn on the top with pencil.  


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The straws are soaked


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Each straw is slit along a side and opened out


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The straws are allowed to dry out and then pressed flat with the blade of a knife. Some makers prefer to iron their straws flat


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Glue is applied to the area to be covered. The straws are laid in parallell lines to cover this area then each side of the shape is trimmed with a craft knife and ruler.


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Adjoining shapes are covered in a similar manner but with a change of direction for the straws covering each shape.  


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Gradually the entire table is covered with stuck on straw.


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When completed, the results are quite spectacular as the light catches and reflects in different directions.  



Some pattern techniquesThese are demonstrated with paper strips

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1. Checkerboard patternPaper strips representing split and pressed straw.

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Strips stuck in parallel lines on a backing sheet

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Strips cut horizontally.

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Newly formed strip moved horizontally to create the start of a checkerboard pattern.

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2. Diamond patternPaper strips representing split and pressed straw.

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Strips stuck in parallel lines on a backing sheet

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Strips cut diagonally

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Newly formed strip moved to create pattern. Can be stuck directly onto object being decorated or backing sheet.

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3. Zigzag pattern

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This needs two sheets , cut at opposite angles.

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Strips are laid out vertically, one from one sheet adjoining one from the other sheet. Colours can be joined together (as above)

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Colours can be alternated (as above).

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4. Irregular strips

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You will need individual straws in two colours

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Place the straws together in pairs (one of each colour) and cut a wavy line through both straws together.

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Place straight edges of straw back to back and match the wavy patterns as shown. These can alternate colour or be glued in a manner to provide a wide strip.  

Straw Suppliers

Rosemary SaultYoxall Farm, Longcroft Lane, Yoxall, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire DE13 8NT.www.simplystraw.co.uk Tel. 01543 472629 
Rosemary grows wheat, oats and rye

Elaine LindsaySomething Corny, Rowan Cottage, Inveramsay, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 5DQ.www.somethingcorny.co.uk Tel. 01467 681330
Something Corny supplies straw working materials, books and tools for the craft 



It is much easier to learn with a tutor so book a workshop with friends. Contact button at top of page.