How to Make a Straw Broom
Find a source of straw., Cut a straight limb with smooth bark, and few knots or smaller limbs for your broom handle. , Buy or find some twine to tie off the broom straw, shaping your finished broom., Clean your straw, shaking out loose stems...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find a source of straw.
In the southwest U.S., there are lots of "straw" growing in fallow fields and open woodlands, but grain straw like wheat, oat, or others, or even split cornstalks will do.
Asking permission from the owner of the field or woodland is advised because taking straw, grains or cornstalks without permission is stealing.
For a more durable broom that is less likely to fall apart, it is also advised to use real "broom straw" a variety of the Sorghum plant, and that variety is called Sorghum vulgare var. technicum. -
Step 2: Cut a straight limb with smooth bark
, Small gauge wire will work, too, but care should be taken when using it, and you will need pliers to cut and tighten it. ,, Tie individual bundles of straw tightly.
This will help keep the finished broom neat. , Keep them as flat as possible.
By wrapping your wire or twine back and forth from opposite sides around each bundle, they will lay closer together and flatter. , Push it about 6 inches (15 cm) deep between the center bundles, then tie it off securely with more twine. ,, -
Step 3: and few knots or smaller limbs for your broom handle.
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Step 4: Buy or find some twine to tie off the broom straw
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Step 5: shaping your finished broom.
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Step 6: Clean your straw
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Step 7: shaking out loose stems
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Step 8: leaves
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Step 9: and other debris.
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Step 10: Gather it into bundles about 1 to 1 1/2 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) thick
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Step 11: wrapping each bundle tightly
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Step 12: and trimming the ends straight.
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Step 13: Using twine or wire
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Step 14: tie the bundles together
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Step 15: one at a time
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Step 16: and side by side.
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Step 17: Sharpen the end of your "handle" stick so that it can be pushed up into the end of your bundles at the center.
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Step 18: Using sharp
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Step 19: heavy duty scissors
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Step 20: or even tin snips
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Step 21: cut the ends of your straw straight across.
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Step 22: Try your new broom out!
Detailed Guide
In the southwest U.S., there are lots of "straw" growing in fallow fields and open woodlands, but grain straw like wheat, oat, or others, or even split cornstalks will do.
Asking permission from the owner of the field or woodland is advised because taking straw, grains or cornstalks without permission is stealing.
For a more durable broom that is less likely to fall apart, it is also advised to use real "broom straw" a variety of the Sorghum plant, and that variety is called Sorghum vulgare var. technicum.
, Small gauge wire will work, too, but care should be taken when using it, and you will need pliers to cut and tighten it. ,, Tie individual bundles of straw tightly.
This will help keep the finished broom neat. , Keep them as flat as possible.
By wrapping your wire or twine back and forth from opposite sides around each bundle, they will lay closer together and flatter. , Push it about 6 inches (15 cm) deep between the center bundles, then tie it off securely with more twine. ,,
About the Author
Lisa Turner
Creates helpful guides on lifestyle to inspire and educate readers.
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