2 Day Round Basket Workshop Review

2 Day Round Basket Workshop Review – 19/2/24

Really enjoyed teaching a lovely group of students at my workshop last week.  Over 2 days students really get to grips with making a lovely stake and strand willow basket that tailored to them can become a large shopper or medium sized log basket.

Day 1 is spent learning about how to grow and prepare willow then onto making out basket bases using a traditional underfoot tied slath method which was taught to me by 4th generation commercial basketmaker Eddie Barnard.  By late afternoon we’ve staked up and got the 3 rod chasing wale on, ready for the next days weaving.

Day 2 is when each student decides the type of basket they will be making, the form they would like to achieve and which side weave they would like to use, (it could be a version of English or French rand or even go with the more contemporary looking total 3 rod wale look).  There’s an ever increasing choice of willow varieties to explore including Dicky Meadows, Brittany Green and Old French.  We then move onto thinking about whether their basket will have integrated handles, small twisted side handles or one large twisted handle that is a traditional handle used on Somerset apple picker baskets.

Accompanying these two days is delicious food delivered to us by the Lost Kitchen restaurant, Bean my dog enjoying lots of cuddles and much laughter.

Here’s the post workshop words of two students and a lovely photo from a third student of one of the baskets already in use:

“Good Morning Sarah, I just wanted to say huge thank you for the past two days on your basket making course. You are so passionate about your craft and incredibly knowledgeable and patient teacher. I really enjoyed it hence why my second visit, and the group were such a nice bunch. I look forward to another visit in the future. Kindest Wishes Susie.”

“Fabulous two days with the talented Sarah Le Breton and “Bean” (rescue collie) at #chevithornvillagehall being creative and inspired with English round baskets.
Wonderful lady and excellent course. Thank you.” Nick.

Veronique’s basket, (above on left) already filled with logs.  Accompanied by Berry Basket (on right) made at a previous workshop filled with kindling!

 

For more details about my range of workshops and to book please head to my website workshops page.  Sarah X