Publications
Now available for direct purchase in North America and Australia
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Now available for direct purchase in North America and Australia -
Drawing on more than 50 previously unpublished patterns, brimming with 400 step-by-step diagrams, and techniques from around the world, this book will help you to unlock the history and preserve straw plaiting skills.
For each pattern, follow the step-by-step diagrams and instructions and discover how they were developed whilst learning about materials, tools and preparation. Once familiar with the plaiting techniques – using straw as well as other materials – you will be able to develop your own skills, possibly blending in recycled materials, which are increasingly being used to produce beautiful and unique pieces
Alongside this new information, you will also find a wealth of information about the fascinating history of this Critically Endangered Craft not only in Great Britain but of its history in North America, Europe and Australia. There’s a huge amount of new information to discover.
Reviews of Straw Plaiting
“This impressive and thoroughly researched book traces the journey of straw from farmer’s field to finished hat. Veronica Main has covered the subject in depth with good illustrations, and the clearly drawn patterns show the many ways straw can be plaited ... we should now make more use of it as a renewable resource.”
“Straw plaiting has all but disappeared from the public consciousness; what was once so common, it touched the lives of everyone everywhere... Veronica Main’s exhaustive research may ignite a timely renaissance of interest in straw as we search for sustainable alternatives to plastic.”
Previously published works by Veronica Main
Swiss Straw Work: Techniques of a Fashion Industry
(Illustrations by Gillian Nott)
192 pages. Full colour. Over 400 diagrams.
Detailed sections cover the making of a wide range of fashion hat trimmings and speciality hat plaits using: Split Straws, Straw Threads, Whole Straws, Flattened straw sheets.
This classic book is regarded as the definitive reference and making book for all those wanting to discover more about this disappearing hat fashion industry.
The book contains history, detailed instructions for preparing, bleaching and dyeing straw. Templates and information about tools and excellent, clearly written, easy to follow instructions.
Now out of stock but limited supplies currently available from: The Straw Shop Strohmuseum im Park
Zauberhaftes Stroh: Herstelltechniken aus dem Freiamt
(Illustrations by Gillian Nott)
Carefully translated by: Monique and Frédric Helfer
This is the German language version of the book
Buy from: Strohmuseum im Park
Handful of Straw
Written in 1995 by the then Corn Dolly Newsletter Team. The team comprised: Janet Twigger, Margaret Bradbury, Neil Thwaites (illustrator) Peter Shelley and Veronica Main.
Now out of print, the book is still regarded as containing the most easy to understand instructions for beginners. Comprehensive directions, from buying the straw to making some of the most iconic designs.
Look out for secondhand copies.
Academic articles by Veronica Main
Turning Straw into Gold
Straw Embroidery: A mysterious fashion
Selvedge Magazine. Issue 101, Grow, 2021, pages 16-19
Note: My article was incorrectly attributed to another author however it was researched and written by Veronica Main.
Journal of Ethnological Studies - Folk Life Volume 37, 1998-9 Corn Dollies: Searching for the Seeds of Truth. Pages 44-63.
Note: Includes an extensive bibliography of research sources.