hand-weaved flax roses
The first weaving project a person completed is given away to your friend or family or anybody else. It's the spirit of Maori weaving. |
Softer, thinner leaves with a shorter useable weaving strip, up to about 50cm in length, are good for smaller items. Larger items require thicker, stronger leaves and longer strips.
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Flax plants can be found along riverbank or on hill. The outer leaves are cut as close to the base of the leaf as possible.
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Maori flax weaving can only be learnt the old way, by sitting, by listening, by touching and by doing.
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Start with a full leaf and pull off the hard midrib. Split it into strips of an even width right across the leaf.
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Before weaving, you have to soften the strips by shell or the blunt edge of a butter knife. Scrape the flax in each direction, pulling to the end of the strip each way.
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Hold the shiny side of the leaf facing you with the stalk pointing downwards.
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Fold the outside strip of the leaf back behind the strip next to and weave it over the next strip and under next strip.
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Weave through all the strips across to the other side.
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simple DIY tools: a pair of scissors, a half dozen of pegs
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Kete (bags, baskets) - Maori use the kete for carrying their food, belongings and taonga (treasures).
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Amelia learns how to weave Maori flax star in Christchurch library to celebrate Maori New Year 2007.
Matariki (in June every year) is Aotearoa Pacific New Year. Matariki signals growth. It is a time of change, a time to prepare and a time of action. During Matariki we acknowledge what we have and what we have to give. |
Three hand-weaved flax stars are a big reward of 1-hour DIY for Ellen.
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Then came the Pakeha (Maori name for New Zealand European) - four corner platter and flowers.
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Hi there, what is the mythology behind they way the flax is cut. I was told once, but can't recall, something to do with children, parents and elders
Chantelle de Beer · 2008-12-04: 04:12
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The Flax Bush or Pa Harakeke which is more commonly known by Maori is a family. In the centre of the plant are the rito or the babies of the whanau, as the plant grows the next leaves are the siblings and as you get out further there are the parents and grandparents. When cutting Harakeke you cut the leaves from the outside of the plant working your to the middle and never cutting the the rito which are the 3 leaves in the middle. If the rito are cut the Pa Harakeke will die.
Bubs · 2009-01-29: 20:17
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It's very interesting! I like the hand-weaved flax roses and the stars!
shine · 2009-06-29: 09:10
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Can you tell me the history of making the flax roses & Maori Star.. Are they a relatively modern thing or something that has been made for decades?
CLW · 2009-08-08: 06:31
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its wonderful! i mean where do you see step by step instructions on how to weave for free! i use these instructions for everything:presents,acssesories,clothes even toys! thanx so much, very helpful!
????? · 2009-08-20: 03:21
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I karakia [pray] before cutting. You cut the outside of the flax only, diagonally away from the inside. The outside are the tipuna [ancestors] then [a layer in] are the parents then the pepi [babies].” Found this in article from howick school boy who weaves
stephanie Cockerill · 2009-09-29: 15:24
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thank you for the instructions. very interesting and helpful
marny · 2009-10-18: 22:02
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