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How to weave a tree on a tree branch loom.

You can make your own simple loom with a tree branch. Your woven tree will look more abstract than real. This project might change the way you look at trees!

99
STEPS
TOOLS

Bend your branch or branches slowly and gently into a rounded  or irregular shape.  Connect the ends with masking tape or duct tape. You can overlap the ends about two inches.

Bend your branch or branches slowly and gently into a rounded or irregular shape. Connect the ends with masking tape or duct tape. You can overlap the ends about two inches.

Cover the tape with beautiful brown ribbon. Wide ribbon works well. You will do this by wrapping the ribbon or fabric around the tape.  Use Fabri-Tac glue to adhere the ribbon to the tape.

Cover the tape with beautiful brown ribbon. Wide ribbon works well. You will do this by wrapping the ribbon or fabric around the tape. Use Fabri-Tac glue to adhere the ribbon to the tape.

Cut 15 pieces of yarn. They need to be twice the length of your loom.

Cut 15 pieces of yarn. They need to be twice the length of your loom.

Tie one end of one piece of yarn to the top of your loom. Leave a 3 inch tail because you will need this short end to be this long because you will need to make a double  knot.

Tie one end of one piece of yarn to the top of your loom. Leave a 3 inch tail because you will need this short end to be this long because you will need to make a double knot.

Continue tying the reminding 14 pieces of yarn following the same directions as the first. Remember that all of your knots need to be double.

Continue tying the reminding 14 pieces of yarn following the same directions as the first. Remember that all of your knots need to be double.

This is how it should look.

This is how it should look.

Ask a partner to hold your loom. Gather all of the loose ends together at the bottom of your loom. Pull them gently downward. Tie them into one big knot on the bottom of the loom.

Ask a partner to hold your loom. Gather all of the loose ends together at the bottom of your loom. Pull them gently downward. Tie them into one big knot on the bottom of the loom.

The knot will look like this. the yarn should be taut.

The knot will look like this. the yarn should be taut.

Now you can trim the long ends from the TOP of the loom. be careful not to cut your "warp" strings. That is what we call these vertical pieces of yarn into which you will weave.

Now you can trim the long ends from the TOP of the loom. be careful not to cut your "warp" strings. That is what we call these vertical pieces of yarn into which you will weave.

Weave your first "weft" piece of fabric through your warp yarn. We call the pieces you are weaving into the warp, your "weft." Weave over one and under the next, continuing to the end of the warp.

Weave your first "weft" piece of fabric through your warp yarn. We call the pieces you are weaving into the warp, your "weft." Weave over one and under the next, continuing to the end of the warp.

Enter your second row of "weft" through your warp. You will weave opposite of the first row. If your first begins with an over, then your second begins with under. Leave 3 inch tails on both sides.

Enter your second row of "weft" through your warp. You will weave opposite of the first row. If your first begins with an over, then your second begins with under. Leave 3 inch tails on both sides.

Continue weaving this opposite over under pattern until you have enough color to fill the top of your tree. As you continue, you can pull some of the fabric out and make it puffier in some areas.

Continue weaving this opposite over under pattern until you have enough color to fill the top of your tree. As you continue, you can pull some of the fabric out and make it puffier in some areas.

The puffs and loops will give your tree some volume and add more interest.

The puffs and loops will give your tree some volume and add more interest.

Even though my tree looks a little messy, this is my process of allowing some pieces to loop out.

Even though my tree looks a little messy, this is my process of allowing some pieces to loop out.

Now is a good time to take your loose ends of weft, and wind them around the back of your tree. Tuck them into a couple of warp strings on the back.

Now is a good time to take your loose ends of weft, and wind them around the back of your tree. Tuck them into a couple of warp strings on the back.

Tie a length of yarn with a double knot, around the top of the tree trunk. Wind it horizontally to the bottom of your trunk. If you run out of yarn, tie a new piece to the first and continue winding.

Tie a length of yarn with a double knot, around the top of the tree trunk. Wind it horizontally to the bottom of your trunk. If you run out of yarn, tie a new piece to the first and continue winding.

When you reach the bottom of the tree, tie the bottom of the winding yarn to one of the yarn pieces in your knot.

When you reach the bottom of the tree, tie the bottom of the winding yarn to one of the yarn pieces in your knot.

Here is a finished tree.

Here is a finished tree.

  • 1.0yd Flexible, yet strong tree branch 1 yard long
  • Masking tape or duct tape
  • One large ball of thick brown yarn
  • Variety of fabric strips (yard long)
  • Wide brown ribbon
  • Fabri-Tac Glue
  • Fabric scissors