Join Deb to learn how to create small baskets using coiling and stitching from plant materials gathered from your garden and surrounding environment. This course may include some walking in local bush tracks to look at fibres.
Would you like to be able to make baskets using plants from your garden or neighbourhood? This course you will show you how to identify plants that can be used for coiling and stitching baskets. You’ll find out what tools and equipment are needed and how to prepare the plants. You will then start making your first basket with ‘knot’ and stitching techniques as well as learning about braiding and plying. Your small baskets can be embellished with shells, feathers, or beads. No prior experience of basket-making is necessary.
Saturday:
Sunday:
Weather permitting, the group may visit Kepa Bush behind Selwyn College to explore the fibres available in the bush (collecting fallen items, not picking anything). So bring a jacket and appropriate footwear for this eventuality.
Bring your lunch each day. Bring a selection of larger needles e.g. tapestry or darning needle - 5-5.5cm long, blunt-ended is best (the tutor can also lend some needles), craft scissors, an old towel or teatowel for keeping materials damp, small embellishments of choice (beads, shells, seed pods, feathers, decorative threads etc). Wear comfortable clothing. If you have some cabbage tree leaves (fallen ones) lying around at home, these are a great fibre for making the baskets. Deb will provide the thread for stitching the baskets.
Anyone interested in basket making, sewing, gardening. Those looking for creative uses for garden fibres. Prior experience with any basket making helpful, though not essential.
My two qualifications in horticulture and hand-woven textiles merged into the discipline of basket making. Growing and gathering materials gives added meaning and appreciation to plants and gardens. Creating useful and unique baskets fosters awareness of the surrounding environment and the wealth of materials available all around us.
Open Hours
Term Time: Monday - Wednesday 9:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday - Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm
School Holidays: When courses are running the office is open 9:00am - 4:00pm