2025 April 9th - Alley Basket

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Instructors: Leslie Wagner and Patricia Neubert

This month we decided to do a kit from Gina's Baskets- the Tribal - using Spaced dyed reed for middle of the basket. 

This basket was selected for the skills used:

• Twining a Round Base
• Shaping skills
• Weavers choice for colors and rim
• Waxed Linen lashing
• Curl Embellishment

Weavers could order the basket  kit or only the pattern from Gina's.  

Patti pauses to check the spacing of the spokes for the round base.  Prior to class, weavers were encouraged to watch a YouTube video by Bases to Weave featuring Debbie Hurd.  This video taught us how to Twine a Round Base.  

Pat and Leslie did an excellent job working the room to support weavers that had not created this type of basket before.   There were many new skills for our beginner weavers: Twining, shaping, creating a round woven base, and a rim using yarn and waxed linen.   

Leslie shared how to get a tight curl for the embellishment using needle nosed pliers.  

Cindy uses a cork board and a push pin to secure her spokes for the first  three rounds of twining.  

Kathleen brings a happy attitude to basket weaving!  The basket doesn't need to be perfect!  Here she is packing the twining before  upsetting the spokes to begin the  FO weavers. 

Linda pulls up and secures her spokes to train them to the desired shape. After the twining, we used used 3/16" FO weavers - start and stop - shaving the beginning end for each row to reduce bulk. Linda came well prepared with all the right tools!

 Pat and Shannon check out the twining used to create the round base before going to the next step.  

Weavers could also download excellent written directions for twining a round base: 

Written Directions from Joanna 

https://joannascollections.com/blog/twining-a-round-base-tutorial

This basket has a "bean pot" shape.  

Kimi re-worked her basket to get the 45 degree angle just right for the transition from the base to the sides of the basket.  

 Jackie is ready to complete the rim row after she "cut and tucked". 

Lynn opted to finish her Nantucket from last month.  It's always great to have the flexibility to choose which project you want to work on.  Even better - to work with friends!  😊 

Looks like Lynn found a new friend too!  

Kimi did an excellent job shaping her basket.  She also selected different colors for the center rows to match her home decor.  

Jackie decided to use black Hamburg cane and seagrass for the rim. The dark lashing picks up the black in the Spaced dyed reed from Gina's.   Note the use of tools to make the job easier!  A "Lash Buddy".  Available  at The Country Seat and NC Basket Works.

Instructor: Patricia Neubert

Aren't these vases beautiful! (and useful too!) This Nantucket Vase uses a plastic mold , a 4" Cherry base and a 5" inch rim.  The guild provided the kits for purchase.  Members brought their own reed and cane.  Pat Neubert taught the class and also wrote the pattern which was provided at the Guild meeting.  This was an excellent opportunity to experiment with twining, creating patterns and learning the basics of making a Nantucket creation.  Thank you, Pat!

Linda starts her vase using the plastic vase as a mold.   Prior to class, the base and rim were sanded and coated with polyurethane (if desired).  Then the base has been glued to the vase.  The next step is to evenly insert the staves.  

Each weaver provided colors of  their own choice for the 1/4" FO staves and the 2.25 Hamburg Cane. 

Is that purple I see! 😊

Melissa, Cheri and Linda finished the first 3 rows to lock in the staves. Next step: upsett their staves by using a rubber band to "pull in" the dampened staves to the form of the vase.  

Linda goes wild with color!  We can't wait to see the finished vase!  It's going to be beautiful! 

Kathy and Shannon are using a light natural cane to create the pattern for their vase.   

This vase is almost ready for the rim!  Note how the twill pattern adds interest and texture to the vase.   

Pat assists Jackie as they fit the staves into the rim. Glue holds the staves in place inside the slot in the rim. 

This weaver began the vase with a natural cane and then switched to a beautiful blue dyed cane.  The dyed cane takes on color differently - creating more texture in the twill pattern. 

Note that Felice is using a stand to raise the Vase as she completes the first three rows. After the staves have been "trained" to hug the vase, Lynn can now weave holding the vase on her lap. 

This weaver decided to use a simple "over, under" continuous weave.   Very elegant! 

Patti's design choices began with a space-dyed reed that added multiple colors.  Then the twill pattern she selected brings it all together.  Well done Patti! 

Instructors: Leslie, Lisa and Patricia

The variations of the Gathering Baskets were a true demonstration how the weaver can make a basket their "own". 

Leslie, Lisa and Patricia were well prepared to assist weavers to make this basket.

The free pattern from Gina's Baskets was enhanced by Leslie with some hints and helps.  

To see samples of the baskets, click on the button below.

Jackie, Lisa and Brenda compare notes as they get ready to start their baskets. 

Vickie came prepared to start her basket from the very begininng!  Other weavers completed the base before the class.  Note the spoke weights she is using to help "control" the reeds.  

Linda uses one of the instructors baskets as a model to begin setting up the base

Lisa, one of the instructors,  brought her basket completed to this stage for demonstration.  This base is ready to be upsett! 

Lisa has chosen very contemporary colors for her basket.  Can't wait to see the finished product!  

Leslie and Sandy discuss the next steps to build the sides of the basket.  Notice the space dyed reed that Sandy has selected.  

The instructors worked the room to help weavers as needed.  Here, Pat assists Lynn. 

The Gathering Basket was a "challenge" basket and we are excited about the progress members made today!  

Felice opted to work on her French Bread Basket.  Pat Neubert assisted as she got ready to "cut and tuck".

Who is this "Wonder Woman"!!!  Sandi made amazing progress on her basket in one short class!  

Jane decided to continue her Berry basket from last month.  What a great color pallete!  Here she is beginning to "fill in" as she gets closer to the center of the basket.  

Willow assists two new members, Susan and Kathleen, with their Berry Baskets.  This was a great basket to be introduced to weaving.  Creative and a simple weave.  To see a few more completed baskets by members, click on the button below!

Denise, Willow and Cheri 

A special thank you to Willow who provided all materials for the Ribbed Berry Basket!  This included the Honeysuckle rims, round reed that was dyed (thank you Leslie, Bonnie and Jeanne who helped), yarn, iris leaves and the full color instructions.   These instructions focused on the process to make a ribbed basket. Willow and Jeanne also made videos for members to view before the class.  All members were  invited to take home the materials for a second basket.  Wow!  This class was a generous gift to our members from Willow. We all appreciate her hard work to make this class a success.  

Lisa and Linda create the shape of their baskets as they add ribs.

Brenda, Cindy and Patti working "knee to knee" as they add new weavers.

Kimi working on the three point lashing

Sandi zoomed ahead...creating a beautiful basket!

Leslie showing how adjust the ribs to shape the basket

Using flat reed to add a new dimension

Welcome New member - Cheri 😊

Sandi and Cheri

Vickie, a basket teacher at William Holland Lapidary School, chats with Kimi

Using Yarn as a weaver

Using Iris Leaves as a weaver

Many thanks to Caleb Arnold and family for all their hard work.  Caleb prepared Poplar logs and Hickory saplings for the class.  And he brought boxes and boxes of tools too!  The guild had so much fun with this project and we created many beautiful baskets.  Looking forward to visiting his family farm near Ellijay in the future to learn more about  natural resources in our forests.  For more information, Caleb can be contacted at:  everwilderfarm@gmail.com. 

Or visit the website at 

everwilderfarm.com

"A small scale, regenerative farm offering outdoor educational experiences in Ellijay since 2019."

Sandi begins by peeling the Poplar Bark from a sapling.  This process can only be done in late April, May and early June.  This is the end of the season to harvest bark. 

Kathy is so excited about the beautiful basket shape she has created.  We all had so much fun - learning and sharing. 

What fun we had making this unique basket!

Caleb brought Hickory that he  prepared for the class.  He begins by "beating" the Hickory saplings and then carefully peeling the bark to create long strips.  Then each strip is divided many times to get the right thickness for lashing material.  Wider strips of hickory are used for the rims and handles. 

After we use a pattern to determine the placement of holes for lashing the sides,  Caleb sets us up at a "burning" station outside.  

Some members used a drill or Dremel to make the holes for lashing.  Others used a heated sharp tool to make the holes.  And some started with the drill and then gave the holes a nice "burnt" finish.  

Leslie moves outside to burn the holes for the lashing.  We used torches to heat our tools to burn holes on the sides and just below the rim.  Hickory was used for the lashing.  

The lashing begins!   If you can't  get your hands inside your basket  then you can take the basket  apart and lash it loosely at the sides.  Then, once both sides have been lashed, just tighten up the sides!  The last steps are the rim and handle.  

Note the interesting texture of the hickory rim!  Can't wait to see how Linda finishes her basket.     

  Caleb shows Cindy where to drill or burn holes to lash on the rim.  Notice the way the natural wood bark creates interest with knots and holes.  

Check out the cross stitching! 

Each weaver used their new skills to modify and customize their baskets.  

Wow!  What a beautiful Basket!  We were joking that this was the first time that many of us actually finished a basket in one session!  😊

Basketry brings together the generations!  ❤️

Jackie is a gifted teacher!  We are so fortunate to have her teaching another class this season! Jackie brings baskets at different stages of the weaving process to help us "see the process".  

Patricia Neubert and Jackie worked together to adapt Joan Stoneham's basic design for the French Breadbasket.  They added the Three Rod Arrow pattern as a new skill for the guild. The results of their work was an excellent pattern that members will be able to use for years to come.  Well done!

Patti  counts the spokes to be sure she has the correct number = 38!    Note the beautiful base made by a local vendor and supporter of the guild.  

Lisa (front right) uses a contrasting color of round reed to twine the first two rows and "lock-in" the spokes.  

Welcome to one of our newest members, Colleen!  So glad she found us!  

Welcome back Vickie!  So glad your schedule allows you to return to the guild.  

This basket is so large and the spokes are short, so we glued the spokes in place to provide greater stability.   

The color selection for this basket will  highlight the arrow pattern that Cindy is creating. This new pattern requires a bit of concentration!  

This basket can be modified in so many ways.  A new skill was taught during the class - the Three Rod Arrow.  By using three colors, the arrows "pop" and provide an interesting element in the basket.  

Members brought a wide variety of dyed reed to create this basket.  Truly, each basket will be a "one-of- kind"! 

Pat worked the room to assist weavers as they progressed.  Pat and Leslie have made the commitment to our guild that includes "making the selected basket before the meeting" so they can effectively assist new weavers.   Now that's commitment!  

Wow!  Linda made great progress on her basket.Check out the twining to create the arrow pattern.   

Sharon brings life to her basket with color! 

The shades of green selected by Linda show off the arrow pattern.  

Check out the link below to see the finished Towel Holder baskets from last month!

We are back after winter break and the Guild Board Members have been busy planning an exciting year featuring many new skills.  This month we are focusing on color and embellishments.  

Not only did we wish Sandy and Pat "Happy Birthday", we also welcomed 6 new members: Felice, Jane, Kimberly, Shannon, Melissa and Kathy O.  

Jackie assists new member, Kim, as they start the first row of weavers.  

Shannon and Kathy  learned about the guild from the newspaper, so they decided to visit our first meeting.  We are excited that they are among our newest members for this year!  

The first three rows were a challenge....but Kim noticed some important information in the instructions that made it easier!  What a good reminder to all of us!  Read the whole pattern before you begin!  

Felice and Jane completed the membership form and enjoyed a snack while observing the class.  So glad they came!  

Patti created a beautiful basket and is now adding a complementary handle.  Note the colors Patti choose to create a stunning pattern.  

Leslie, our VP for Programs, provided support throughout the class!  Pat and Leslie brought many samples of the basket to help us envision what our color choices might be.  

Jackie used a lot of color in her basket.  Can't wait to see what she does for the handle!

All of us have unfinished baskets!  Sharon decided to complete her Tote from last year.  This is a great idea - especially if time runs out or orders come late for the scheduled project.   

Sandy brings life to her basket with color! Looking forward to seeing the finished product next month.  So, don't forget - next month please bring your finished towel holder for "show and tell".😊

One way to develop our skills is to practice handle patterns on paint sticks. Then we also have a lasting sample to refer to.