Wooden Maille Construction Kit

Description

Wooden Maille is a construction kit of 100 loops that you can use to link together and take apart to make patterns and shapes. Phil Parkes is an acclaimed maker of traditional heritage maille (chainmail). Through running workshops he has developed Wooden Maille to help beginners understand the traditional methods of joining it together. He also uses Wooden Maille himself to test out tailoring techniques before committing to riveting thousands of tiny metal loops together! So it's useful for more experienced maille makers as well as for those who have never tried it. You can enjoy just making your own patterns and experiencing the mindfulness of creating, or you can follow the instructions to practise the way that traditional maille is put together. The kit comes with written instructions and photos, as well as a link to videos where Phil takes you through step by step.

What's included in the price?

100 loops that can be put together and taken apart again and again, in a cotton bag to keep them in, a printed instruction sheet, and a QR code with a link to films that show instructions and ideas for using them. Wooden Maille is made from Medite Premier MDF that conforms to European E1 and USA CARB phase 2 standards (<0.11ppmformaldehyde). These items are not a toy - they are an educational product made for use under adult supervision. The loops stand up well to careful use, but can snap if treated roughly.

What you will need

Everything is included. Free postage only in the UK.

Maker

Phil Parkes Maille

with Craft Courses since 2023

Message the maker

Welcome! I'm Phil Parkes. I use traditional hand crafting methods to create maille armour, based on historical research of original items. I really enjoy showing people the process of making maille and seeing them come away with something they've made themselves as well as a new confidence in using tools and an appreciation of what was involved in making maille in the past! The skills and techniques are accessible to anyone: I've worked with our local primary school, families at community events and adult workshops, and all have really enjoyed creating their own items and learning more. My experience with teaching led me to create 'Wooden Maille' kits to help teach the skills involved in putting together patterns and tailoring. I'm a member of the Heritage Crafts Association - as a maille maker I'm on their list of Critically Endangered Crafts and am a Maker of the Year 2023 Finalist. My career has been in professionally conserving archaeological finds and teaching those skills as a Reader in Conservation at Cardiff University.