How to Make a Blade Sheath from Plastic Straws

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Flatten the straw between a finger and thumb

   Cut the remaining three lengths at even distances between each former cut length.,, Use a differently colored straw for each of the four straws., Follow exactly the method shown in the image., Be sure to push down the woven pieces to make the two straws sit flush at the point that the arrow is showing., Hold them together as shown in the image.,, At this stage, you are now joining both pieces together to start forming the blade sheath.,, This will prevent your efforts from unraveling as you continue weaving the next part., Do this in exactly the same manner as the previous weaving of the yellow and blue straws., Keep everything slanted at a right angle as you weave (as shown in the images).
   
   Keep the clips in place so that the sheath stays intact as you work on it. ,,,,, Do this with great care; you don't want to melt your work.,, Cut the corner roundly.,,, Be dismayed that this sheath only works for dull instruments.
   
   Anything sharp will cut through this like a hot knife through butter.
2. 2

   Step 2: as shown in the image.

3. 3

   Step 3: Cut down the middle of the flattened straw

4. 4

   Step 4: lengthwise.

5. 5

   Step 5: Leave the last 5mm (0.19") uncut

6. 6

   Step 6: as shown in the image.

7. 7

   Step 7: Repeat the cutting process on the same straw three times.

8. 8

   Step 8: This is how the end result will appear.

9. 9

   Step 9: Create three more straws in the same fashion.

10. 10

    Step 10: Weave the first two straw colors together.

11. 11

    Step 11: Weave the other two colors the same way.

12. 12

    Step 12: Turn the straws to their "inner" side.

13. 13

    Step 13: Use spring clips to hold the two pieces in place together.

14. 14

    Step 14: Begin weaving the yellow straw from one piece with the blue straw from the other piece.

15. 15

    Step 15: This is how the weaving will start to appear.

16. 16

    Step 16: Hold the weaving together using another clip.

17. 17

    Step 17: Weave the red straw from one side and the orange straw from the other side.

18. 18

    Step 18: Continue weaving the colors together.

19. 19

    Step 19: Continue weaving until you reach the "top" of the sheath.

20. 20

    Step 20: Hold the end together using another clip.

21. 21

    Step 21: Use pliers or scissors to cut off the excess pieces that cannot be woven into the sheath.

22. 22

    Step 22: Cut as closely as possible to ensure a neat finish.

23. 23

    Step 23: Use a lighter to gently seal the end in place.

24. 24

    Step 24: The finished neat end

25. 25

    Step 25: sealed off.

26. 26

    Step 26: Remove the clips from the other end of the sheath.

27. 27

    Step 27: This is the finished sheath.

28. 28

    Step 28: Alongside the pliers (see the length works well).

29. 29

    Step 29: With pliers inserted.

Detailed Guide

About the Author