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This post if very belated, but may still be helpful.
When I twist fringe, I generally try to twist the fringe before its sewn into the finished item.
I do a split twist, as its the only twist I have found that will stay until the leather falls apart.
To start I cut my fringe piece out of scrap and cut each fringe to about 3/16 of an inch. A little smaller for fans a little bigger for legging/cuff/apron trim. I leave a solid strip across the top piece so there is a continuous section for sewing the fringe piece into the finished item. (However for smaller clumps of fringe on fan/dance stick handles, I have at times cut each fringe piece seperately) I usually leave about a 1/2 inch wide strip for sewing
The best tool for cutting fringe in my experience is a rotary razor tool, often called quilt block cutters. With those and a metal straight edge you can cut fringe in no time at all.
Once the fringe is cut I go back and split each fringe piece. I start at the solid section across the top and split each fringe piece to about until there is only about 1/4 inch left at the end of the fringe. This creates a "loop." Once all the fringe pieces are split I soak the leather in water.
Next comes the twisting. To twist the leather I generally use a staple gun to tack the top strip (the one that you will sew through) to a board. I take the first fringe piece and turn the loop into itself until both sides of the split fringe are twisted. once that is done I pull the end of the fringe piece straight and curl the whole piece together. I then staple the end of the fringe to my board to keep it from un-twisting until it dries. Then repeat until your fringe is done or you have too many blisters on your hand to continue. ;)
The look of the fringe is different from what is being shown above. The only way the twist comes out is if the fringe piece get broken.
I'll have to take a picture of my fringe and post it....
Hope that makes sense....
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Randy
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