Sprang experiments

If you are not familiar with sprang, it can be described as a non-weft weaving, or plaiting technique that creates an elastic, lacelike fabric.  Sprang is a very old technique that dates back to ancient Egypt, with the most common sprang objects being hairnets.  I first became familiar with sprang when I learned about the Lengberg finds in Austria.  Sprang was found in what can only be described as "bras", which was a real shock to those of us who were taught that bras were an early 20th century invention.  These finds date to the mid-15th century!
 I have been working hard to enjoy sprang.  It's taken over a year, but I am truly beginning to look forward to working on it!  Here are some sprang experiments:

This was an experimental piece for my Lengberg bra reconstruction.  The upper bands are flat fingerloop braids connected with needlelace.   The original bra no longer has anything in this triangular space, but the bra would not fit correctly without it.  This is my interpretation and (somewhat) educated guess about how that area was constructed.  I used 2-ply S twist linen thread for this one.

This is a new sprang piece based on the pattern on Julie Stubbs' blog, Squirrel!  It took me several frustrating trial runs (through no fault of Ms. Stubbs--there was just a learning curve), but I finally got it!    

This is the same piece as above, just further along.

Again, same sprang piece, as it looks finished, with stitches sewn in to prevent raveling.   

With the upper half showing, before stitching.  The bottom half is already stitched.  

It's off the loom, with a string through the loops to keep the piece from raveling from the top edge.

Finally, it's been sewn into the "bra", replacing the old sprang.  This is the outside.

And the inside.

I am currently working on patterning another sprang piece for another style "breast-bag".  Stay tuned!