Complete Braiding Kit A1

Best way to use this kit and how to get the most out of it is to follow the supplemental instructions below.

To use this Kit, first to take inventory of all the materials listed making sure they are all included. Then begin the process by following the instructions carefully both in the instruction sheet and it the book.

Kit A1 Includes:

* "Basic Buttons & Knots"
* With tools - fid, bone folder, white saddle soap and 2 mandrels
* "The Art of Braiding, The Basics-2nd Rev. Ed." Not included in Kit A2

Button Kit A1 includes:
* Three colors of roo strings, cut, split and beveled from kangaroo hides and tagged to correspond with detailed kit use information sheet. These strings are the same as I use for braiding buttons. The quantity is enough to braid 3 each of the following buttons:

2 Pass Spanish Ring Knot
3 Pass Spanish Ring Knot
6 Bight Turk's Head with herringbone interweave
6 Bight Turk's Head with a gaucho interweave
Long pineapple button
4 Bight Gaucho

* Tools included:

Fid
Bone folder
3.5 oz. can of white saddle soap
Mandrel

Items the braider will need to furnish:

tape(cloth or masking),
scissors,
finishing stick (see suggestions in book).

*Button strings are labeled with numbers that correspond to the following:

1 - Main button strings:

6 bight Turk's head/herringbone interweave - 1st string- cut 1ft. 10 inches
6 Bight Turk's Head/gaucho interweave - cut 3 ft.
Long pineapple button - 1st string - cut 3 ft.
4 bight gaucho - cut 2 ft.

2 - Interweave strings:

6 bight Turk's head/herringbone interweave - 2nd string- cut 1 ft. 4 inches
Long pineapple button - 2nd string - cut 2 ft. 9 inches
3 pass Spanish ring knot - 2nd string - cut 10 inches

3 - Spanish Ring knot strings:

2 Pass Spanish Ring Knot - cut 1 ft. 2 inches
3 Pass Spanish Ring Knot - 1st string - cut 1 ft. 2 inches

*Suggestions for Button Kit:

There is extra length allowed for each button. Measure the string lengths in each bundle and take notes. This is what you would have to do, if you were cutting the strings for a project. Cut one string of the first button you plan to braid. Write down the string length, then when finished if you have too much extra string, write down the corrected length. This way the string length can be adjusted as necessary. Example: if a string is cut for the 6 bight Turk's head with a gaucho interweave at 2 ft. 9 inches and the braiding is complete, you find you easily have 2 inches extra, write this down. The next time you can cut this button it can be cut at 2 ft. 7 inches. Some of the bundles may be one continuous string and some may be several strings.

Cut a long taper on the ends. Most students make it too blunt. Remember to saddle soap the strings before braiding.

Remember you can unbraid and re-braid these buttons probably as many times as you need, but do not cut off the ends.

Two mandrels are included for two reasons. 1) It might be best to braid the first buttons on one mandrel, leaving the strings ends on. Then use these buttons as a reference while you braid them on the second mandrel. 2) Two mandrels provide more room to braid the buttons.