Weaving Baskets from Your Garden: CANCELLED

Selwyn Community Education is based at Selwyn College, Kohimarama, Auckland.

This course will run over the weekend 27 - 28 August 2022 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM daily.

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.

Expected learning outcomes:
- Identify plant material suitable for coiled basket technique and the preparation of weaving materials.
- Sourcing materials in your own neighbourhood.
- Basket construction techniques.
- Greater knowledge and appreciation of baskets and basket making.
- Have an appreciation of your own creative process and hopefully the inspiration to make more baskets

Course outline
Saturday:
- Introductions
- Intro to coiled basket making
- Plant materials, preparation, tools and equipment
- Weeds, pests and conservation awareness
- Starting your first basked, starting 'knot' and stitches
- Shaping the basket
- Finishing the basket and embellishments (shells, feathers, beads etc)

Sunday:
- Finishing off Saturday's project if necessary
- Starting a second basket
- Options for handles and lids
- Braiding and plying - 4-ply round braid, 2-strand plying
- Discussion and feedback

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.

What to bring
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.

Who should attend this course?
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.

About Deb Price
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.

Our mission is to provide quality affordable and accessible lifelong learning opportunities for our community.