Straw Plaiting - a Talk by Mrs Susan Pearl
On Wednesday 23rd May 2001 Mrs Susan Pearl gave a talk on straw plaiting.
She was dressed in the typical style of a 19th century plait worker to give her talk.
Straw plaiting came to England from Europe originating from Italy in the first instance. This occupation arribed in the early part of the 18th century and continued until the late 19th century when imports from the Far East brought down the industry.
The industry was mainly based around Luton in Bedfordshire and spread into Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Straw plaiters were usually women and in the outlying areas outside the twons this became a cottage industry. Originally it was believed that it would be impossible to compete with the Italian master craftspeople already producing plait. Once it was realised that the straw in England could be used and tools were invented to create finer strands like the Italians used the industry took off.
The value of a plait was dependent on the styles used. The more complex and intricate the plait, the more expensive it was. The only draw back to the industry was that it was seasonal and only lasted for three months of the year.
All at the talk had the chance to try making the plait and try they did, many very successfully. These are the pictures from the evening.
This was one
of the most complex and for any
body able to reproduce it was well rewarded.
This was the commonest form of Plait and did not earn much
For some the strain was too much and the yokel came out of them.
