Weave a Basket with Fabric, Wool, and Vines

2018 NYS Sheep and Wool Festival

Thursday October 18th 2018 9:00 – 4:00

Weave a Basket with Fabric, Wool, and Vines – This basket is a fiber lover’s dream! You will make a traditional Appalachian style ribbed basket with a twist– fabric and yarn will be incorporated alongside vines to create a fun and colorful look.

We will start with a grapevine frame with god’s eye lashing and then use a choice of either a traditional or random weave techniques to give the basket a soft but sturdy construction. There is a lot of room for your individuality to shine in this basket and everyone’s will turn out a different size and shape (approximately 11” x 8” x 10”)

Participants are encouraged to bring your own fabrics, roving, and yarn to use in the basket. You will go home with a finished basket. instructions to create many more, and inspiration to continue weaving!

Registration opening date for the festival is tba– keep checking back on their website, get on their mailing list, follow their facebook– whatever it takes to find out first since these workshops tend to fill up fast!

Twining and Twill with Cattails and Bark

2018 NYS Sheep and Wool Festival

Friday October 19th 2018 , 9:00 – 4:00

Do you want to explore the possibilities for creating baskets entirely with wild-harvested plants?

In this workshop you will weave a sample basket using a variety of natural materials, including barks, cattails, iris leaves, and more seasonally available materials. You will be able to choose the shape and the pattern of your basket and have the choice of either making a functional basket or a sculptural piece. The overall size will be approximately 5” x 4” x 6.”

Over the course of your sample basket you will learn a variety of techniques, including both a simple twill with flat pieces of bark and several methods of twining, in which two strands are alternatively woven around the stakes of the basket.

During the workshop we will discuss how to identify, harvest, and prepare a variety of materials, as well as have hands on experience processing bark and vines. If you are inspired to create a deeper connection to the materials you use while making a beautiful and completely unique basket then this is the class for you. Everyone will leave with a completed basket, handouts and information on what was covered during the workshop, and inspiration to explore your local natural landscape.

Registration opening date for the festival is tba– keep checking back on their website, get on their mailing list, follow their facebook– whatever it takes to find out first since these workshops tend to fill up fast!

Saturday May 5th

White Barn Farm Sheep and Wool, New Paltz NY

In this workshop you will learn the ancient art of making folded baskets out of white pine bark. From actually peeling the bark from the log to sewing the container, this is a hands-on workshop. After the bark is peeled from the tree each participant will learn how to make a pattern and fold this flexible material into a container. Different sewing materials including basswood fiber, waxed linen, and pine roots will be used to sew the container and attach a rim. You will also learn the technique of making cordage to add to the basket. Each person’s project will turn out to be completely unique and beautiful! Come prepared to get your hands dirty, gain a new appreciation for the white pine, and make 1-2 finished baskets in a friendly and welcoming setting.

11:00am – 4:30pm with a break for lunch

Class fee: $85, Materials Fee $20 dollars to be paid directly to instructor

Registration is now open on White Barn’s website!

Have you been wanting to learn how to make baskets using plant materials, but are busy during the days and weekends? I’ve heard from so many inspired folks who feel this way so I’ve created this series of workshops with you in mind. It happens in the evening so it can fit into your schedule and materials are prepared so you can focus on learning techniques and going home with a finished project. 

LEARN MORE 

Friday March 23rd and Saturday March 24th

Knitting Weekend at Mohonk Mountain House

To participate you must be attending the knitting weekend event. It’s a ton of fun so check it out here for my mini-workshops and a whole weekend of yarn related events!

Saturday March 31st

Fiber on Main, Hurleyville NY

Class description and registeration here

Saturday September 30th, 2017

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival, Tunbridge VT.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Please visit the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival website for more details and to register.

This basket is a fiber lover’s dream! You will make a traditional Appalachian style egg basket with a twist– fabric and yarn will be incorporated amongst natural vines to create a fun and colorful look.

We will start with a grapevine frame with 3-point lashing and then use random weave techniques to give the basket a soft but sturdy construction. I will share techniques for creating well-woven random weave while also maintaining a balanced look. There is a lot of room for your individuality to shine in this basket and I encourage you to bring fabrics and yarn that you love to incorporate into the basket.

Saturday October 14th, 2017

Drop Forge and Tool, Hudson, NY.

Check back for registration information or email the folks at Drop Forge and Tool to reserve a spot.

In this workshop participants will work with longleaf pine needles to coil a beautiful and refined basket. Coiling is an ancient technique in which bundles of material are sewn together in a spiral pattern using a wrapping strand to build the basket. In this basket, using a wooden round as the basket center you will begin with a line stitch and soon progress to learn a variety of other stitches, including V stick, wheat stitch, and core wrapping. Depending on the colors of embroidery floss you choose the overall pattern and look of your basket will be totally unique. This workshop is great for either beginners or those who have coiled with other materials and want to learn stitch patterns and advance their skills.

Thursday October 19th 2017

NYS Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY.

Please visit the NYS Sheep and Wool website for more details and to register.

Have you ever looked around outside and wondered what you could make with the abundance of natural materials growing in your yard? In this workshop you will learn how to take grasses, cattails, daylily leaves, and so many other natural materials and create coiled baskets.

Coiling is an ancient and versatile basketry technique used all over the world to create beautiful vessels that can be either decorative or functional. During the workshop we will discuss how to identify, harvest, and prepare a variety of local materials and then use them to create a unique basket. Cattails, grasses, ornamental foliage, daylily leaves and several other locally harvested plants will be provided for students to make their basket. If you are excited about using found natural materials to create art and learning a fun and unique new skill, then join us!

Friday October 20th 2017

NYS Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY.

Please visit the NYS Sheep and Wool website for more details and to register.

In this extended weekend workshop participants will learn the ins and outs of working with wild harvested bark splints, vines, and other natural materials to make a sampler basket using a variety of techniques. Starting with a grid base we will cover basic bark weaves for the main structure of the basket. Twining, decorative wrapping techniques, and cordage will also be introduced, giving students an opportunity to add unique embellishments to their baskets. In addition to learning the various weaves, students will get hands on experience splitting and prepping some bark. During the workshop we will discuss how to identify, harvest, and prepare a variety of local natural materials, including tree for bark. If you are excited to use locally harvested materials for basketry while creating a beautiful and useful basket then join us! You will go home with a completed basket, information on the topics covered, and inspiration to keep weaving

Saturday October 21st 2017

NYS Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY.

Please visit the NYS Sheep and Wool website for more details and to register.

We are surrounded with countless plants and materials that are ready to provide a rainbow of color if you know where to look… in this workshop we will explore several local seasonally abundant plant dyes, including mugwort, nettle, sumac, and some other surprises! A pre-made indigo dye bath will also be available to experiement with. You will learn all the basics of natural dyes, including creating the dye bath, mordanting, fiber preparation, recipes, and color modifiers.

Each person will receive two silk scarves to dye during the workshop and will receive samples of all the dye colors on silk and wool. (Additional scarves and wool to dye will be available for purchase) You’ll also leave with a packet detailing the process and the inspiration to explore your local landscape and create beautiful, rich, and abundant dyes!

Saturday November 19th 2017

White Barn Farm Sheep and Wool Shop, New Paltz NY

10:30 am – 4:00 pm

Please visit the White Barn Farm Website for more details and to register.

Enjoy the bounty of fall by using wild harvested vines, barks, willow and a variety of other natural materials to create a beautiful woven tray. Each participant will choose the depth of their basket and pattern of materials to make unique piece of functional art. You can make a basket to use as a table centerpiece or add handles to to use it for gathering herbs– the design is up to you! The basics of ribbed basket construction will be covered as well as how to design different shapes and sizes of basket. We will also discuss identification and how to harvest the different plant materials used in class. You will leave with a basket, handouts on everything covered during the workshop, and a new appreciation for the beautiful and abundant plants in our landscape. Come join us for a lovely day of weaving, learning, and laughter this autumn!

Sunday November 19th, 2017

Hurleyville Makers Lab, Hurleyville NY.

11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Please visit the Hurleyville Makers Lab website for more details and to register.

This basket is a fiber lover’s dream! You will make a traditional Appalachian style egg basket with a twist– fabric and yarn will be incorporated amongst natural vines to create a fun and colorful look.

We will start with a grapevine frame with 3-point lashing and then use random weave techniques to give the basket a soft but sturdy construction. I will share techniques for creating well-woven random weave while also maintaining a balanced look. There is a lot of room for your individuality to shine in this basket and I encourage you to bring fabrics and yarn that you love to incorporate into the basket.

12 Sundays, May – December 2017

Various Locations, Rosendale NY

Please visit this page for more details and to register.

Are you inspired to develop a deep connection to the art of basketry and the abundant plant materials in our natural landscape? Do you want to learn how to go out into the forests and fields, identify and gather materials, and weave baskets? In 2017 I will be launching a yearly Wild Basketry mentorship program and am looking for inspired individuals to participate and help shape the course for years to come.

Saturday October 15th, 2016

NYS Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY

9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Please visit the Sheep and Wool Festival website for more details and to register. (registration will be opening soon)

In this workshop you will learn how to use willow to weave strong and beautiful baskets.

Using the techniques of two-strand twining and basic randing each participant will create a unique basic shaped basket that can be used for a multitude of purposes. Throughout the day we will cover how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare willow for weaving as well as how to propagate patches for continual use. Willow is a versatile and easy to use material that has been used by many cultures to create vessels for centuries. Join us for a day of laugher, community, and learning as we integrate this ancient knowledge into our lives.

Sunday June 5th 2016

White Barn Farm Sheep and Wool Shop, New Paltz NY

10:00 am – 4:30 pm

$75 + $15 materials fee

Please visit the White Barn Farm Website for more details and to register.

Have you ever looked outside and wondered what you could make with the abundance of natural materials growing in your yard? In this workshop you will learn how to take natural materials, and a variety of fun fiber embellishments to create beautiful treasure baskets. We will be using locally harvested cattails and iris leaves over a base of tulip tree bark to create the basket using regular and triple twining. You will also have the opportunity to incorporate roving and yarn to add unique color and design to your piece. During the workshop we will discuss how to identify, harvest, and prepare a variety of local natural materials. If you are excited about using found natural materials to create art and learning a fun and unique new skill, then join us! Everyone will leave with a basket, the skills to create more pieces in the future, and inspiration to explore your local natural landscape.

Sunday May 15th

The Millworks, Harrisburg PA

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

$85 + $15 materials fee

Please visit the Millworks website for more details and to register.

Have you ever looked outside and wondered what you could make with the abundance of natural materials growing in your yard? In this workshop you will learn how to take grasses, cattails, daylily leaves, and many other natural materials and create coiled baskets. Coiling is an ancient and versatile basketry technique used all over the world to create beautiful vessels that can be either decorative or functional. During the workshop we will discuss how to identify, harvest, and prepare a variety of local materials and then use them to create a unique basket. If you are excited about using found natural materials to create art and learning a fun and unique new skill, then join us! Everyone will leave with a basket, the skills to create more pieces in the future, and inspiration to explore your local natural landscape.

Saturday May 7th 2016

Two Coyotes Wilderness School, 201 Huntingtown Road, Newtown, CT

11:00 am – 5:00 pm

$90 including all materials

Please visit Two Coyotes Wilderness School website for more details and to register.

Bring your Mom for a special Mother’s Day memory!  We will join as a village to learn and create a beautiful primitive vessel from natural materials, in a gorgeous setting. We will be using the ancient technique of twining with cattails and day lilies over a tulip tree bark base. We will also make delicious wild tea and enjoy it along with delicious, homemade baked goods over a campfire. Talented artist and educator, Katie Grove, will be teaching the workshop.