Willow basketry – an oval frame basket with Dominic Parrette

Basketmaking, chair seating and willow work

Ref: S2D31771

Location: West Dean
£333
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About this course

Learn to make an attractive and useful willow basket using traditional frame basketry techniques. You will make willow hoops and rims to construct your frame, then set ribs before filling with a willow packing weave.

Course Description

This course will teach you techniques to make an oval basket using a frame basket technique. You will learn all the construction techniques required to make a frame basket: setting hoops and ribs, as well as randing and packing weaves. The ultimate aim is to learn or improve your frame basketry technique, with particular emphasis on frame construction.

You will start with the construction of willow hoops and rims to make the frame and handle, and then you will form the frame by setting these components together. A randing weave will be used throughout the basket, with additional ribs added as the basket builds. You will learn a weaving technique known as packing, as a necessary part of frame basket construction.

The skills learnt will include materials selection, preparation and use; use of jigs to set frame shape; techniques to set hoops accurately; setting ribs with symmetry and packing as a weaving technique.

You will gain an understanding of how to construct a three-dimensional woven form using frame basket techniques.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

Included

  • On this course, the tutor will supply all the materials.

What students need to bring

  • Apron
  • Sturdy footwear with covered toes
  • Sharp secateurs or side cutters (if possible)
  • Camera (optional) to record techniques

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Tutors

Dominic Parrette

Dominic is a basketmaker and coppice worker with over ten years experience in teaching his craft.
He makes a woven willow structures, organic forms and frame baskets using a range of traditional and contemporary techniques.
 

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

Courses of interest

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.