By taking part in this course you will learn how to weave with willow and create your own traditional round basket with a handle. The tutor will teach you different weaving techniques such as pairing, wailing and French randing. You will use willow to weave a base, upset the sides, border and make a handle, then you will learn how to finish the border and set the handle for your basket. Different coloured farmed willow will be on offer for you to choose from. At the end of the course you will have your own unique willow round basket to take home with you.

This course is for students who have some experience with basketry or for people who are particularly practical.

All basketry materials and tools will be provided. Please bring a notebook and pen.

Sarah Gardner trained as textile designer, this sparked her interest in constructed textiles and led to her practicing basketry for the past 7 Years. She is interested in growing and foraging natural materials for making but also has a make-do-and-mend approach and is always on the look-out for man-made materials that can be adapted or useful in basket-making. This requires a lot of testing to work out the qualities of the materials and their suitability for different weaving techniques. As an advocate for the crafts Sarah also helps run a small leather accessories company and teaches and practices basketry in Brighton.