On my online workbook this week: You can feel it in the air

Dear

This week’s inspiration is all about noticing how it is not quite full summer anymore.

My design tip for you this week is about the gathering knot that I used to secure the cut ends of the grass.

The cut ends of the grass are less flexible than the tips and if you simply tie them and then wrap them the cut ends will always split open and spoil the smooth transition from a sheath to a round wreath. Wrapping the stems with a gathering knot turns the ends into a continuous stem that is pliable as a unit.

Once tied, you can bend in the curve and the stem ends will gently curve without becoming messy because the wide gathering knot spreads out the stress and the joint is less likely to snap or bend when you curve it.

As a general rule overlap the grasses (or whatever you want to connect) at least by the width of the bundle's diameter. This way you can line up the bundles neatly before locking them into place with the ribbon and the knot. And wrapped so tightly the bundle combines straight and seamlessly into one strong connection. See the picture above.

Every good wish,

Christine