Papuan Bilum weaving
step-by-step

longterm production 1: Papuan Bilum weaving

Materials: Bark from various local trees. Various natural materials for dye like stones, flowers and mud.

Method: Manual labor.

Industry sector: Papua New Guinea local and tourist driven.

Existing products: Bags, baskets, clothing.

1. Collecting wood

2. Remove bark and cut into strips

3. beat bark flat and let it dry

4. leaving bark to dry

5. Twist dried bark into string between fingers and thighs

6. Create dye out of natural materials

7. dye strings and let dry again

8. when dry, coloured strings are ready for weaving

9. Ready for use

Possible interventions and outcomes

1. Using non dried bark to make string

2. Press dry bark instead of beating flat

3. Use unnatural material instead of bark