Hap Stretcher - Part 1.

I have long coveted a hap stretcher - a device used for over a hundred years in Shetland for blocking shawls. Although Kate Davies has information on her website about making one, my efforts to find a local maker amounted to nothing and, after helping a friend block several shawls on her wall, I decided to take the plunge and buy one from Shetland while the exchange rate was reasonable. My decision was helped by Paparwark, the company that makes them, changing their design to enable packaging in 1, rather than 2 metre lengths.

It took about 3 weeks to arrive, economically, safely, conveniently packaged. 

It emerged from the box a compact, smooth and elegant piece, taking up much less room than I had anticipated. It included one sheet of instruction.

Part of my reasoning in investing in this (at a time when I do NOT have a shawl to stretch!) was that it could be borrowed, and used by friends and acquaintances in their own homes at their leisure, rather than requiring a specially designed wall, or, in my case, crawling around on a carpet.

I soon realised that the box it came in was much larger than the compacted pieces and, dare I say it, a bag was called for!

I searched online for padded cotton quilting in Adelaide. There wasn't much available. Two Spotlight stores had it in black only, so I drew up a diagram, measured what I would need, and took myself off to one of them and bought what I thought was a generous 1.5 metres. There was only 2 metres on the roll, but the sales assistant didn't try to strike a deal on the remainder, just cutting what I asked for.

When I got home and laid it out, I realised it would need to be lined. The polyester padding on the back would tear in constant contact with the wood. It would have been simpler to cut 2 and back it with the same - which I could have done if I'd bought the 2 metres! C'est la vie. Instead I used the error margin I had built in to line the centre panel where the wood will mostly touch, and lined the rest with black linen. I added a pocket to hold the instructions.

I began with the intention of using large buttons to secure the bag. As I progressed, I decided these may pop open from the weight, and ties would be better. I had plenty of ribbon but thought woven strapping would be stronger, so, after more measurements, drawings and another online search, set off for a (different) Spotlight store for 25mm woven braid, to create 4 or 5 ties over the width of the bag. Buttons could hold the end flaps down.

I was hoping for red braid. The only red they had was 38mm, a bit harder to tie, but not impossible, so 4 metres came home with me. As I was driving home, mulling it over in my mind, I realised buckles would be better than ties. The only buckles I had were a couple of old shoe buckles - so more online searching at home. I soon realised I was well out of date.  The buckle search brought up clip fastenings for seat belts and backpacks - of course! I prepared to head off to a hardware store - until I discovered they supply either 25mm or 50mm buckles. No 38mm! I found what I needed at CamCords in Victoria, ordered them and received in today's mail.

So I have spent the afternoon wrapping and unwrapping the hap stretcher, testing lengths and placement - working it out as I go. A lot of trial, and not too much error. I broke one needle but didn't have to undo anything (so far so good!). My little Janome worked hard. I haven't stitched anything quite like this before, but it seems to have worked.

It fits over my shoulder and is comfortable to carry.  A few friends have asked what the hap stretcher looks like assembled, and I have to admit, I haven't as yet put it together. I got carried away with storage and carrying!  I admit it's a bit odd, but I can't face wielding lengths of wood to construct a 2 square metre frame in my apartment, on my own, and then taking it apart again.  With a bit of luck, however, a friend and I will assemble it later this week. 

I promise to take a photo!  One day Hap Stretcher Part 2 will no doubt include a shawl!