Making of Palm Leaf Basketry
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The leaves are cut into strips for basket weaving
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Palm leaf strips are dyed in colors
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Dyed strips are arranged in order to start weaving
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Strips are measured for the required width of the basket to be weaved
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The strips are weaved in crisscross pattern
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Once the base is weaved the strips are folded to weave the side walls of the basket
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The baskets are used for multi purposes
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Different sizes of the baskets are weaved as per customers demand
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As palm leaf baskets are flexible and are easily deformable they have to be double-layered
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Multi color strips are weaved for design patterns
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The baskets are durable and re-usable
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The baskets can also be used for gift packaging
For plain baskets the leaf strips are dipped in boiled water and kept it to dry and for colored basket the strips are dipped in colored water. Before weaving, water is sprinkled on the strips to keep them moist and avoid breakages while weaving. Based on the required size the palm stripes are arranged vertically and horizontally interlocking each other. Over that a wooden slab is placed on it and held with hands and feet for support.
Once the base is weaved the strips are bent and the sidewalls of the baskets are interlaced and weaved till the required length. At the end, the midrib of the leaf is used as a rim and weaved at the mouth of the basket with a thread for strength and enhancing the outlook of the product. Since palm leaf baskets are flexible and are easily deformed they have to be double-layered and reinforced at the rim with a stronger material. Beads are pasted or weaved on the baskets to embellish.
For more details: http://dsource.in/resource/palm-leaf-basketry
