Beginners Frame Basket Weaving
28 June @ 9:45 am – 4:30 pm
Join basket maker, Ellie Morgan, to make a frame basket using traditional materials and techniques in our woodland workshop at Horsenden Farm.
On this course, you will make your own traditional frame basket with Somerset-grown willow using time-honoured techniques. This ancient style of basket is a joy to make and is the perfect way to begin your basketry journey.
The course starts at 9:45am and will aim to finish around 4:30pm – enough time to develop and practise new skills. The focus of the workshop is on process and safe technique, and by the end of the day you’ll have woven a unique basket to take home.
Throughout the day, tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided. For lunch, attendees are welcome to bring their own meal or purchase something delicious from our very own on-site bakery, The Horsenden Loaf.
What You Will Learn
The course will focus on the following areas:
- Willow varieties and how to prepare them
- How to use the tools safely and effectively
- How to create the frame for your basket
- Adding ribs to create strength and structure
- Weaving techniques and how to finish your basket to make sure it looks good and is strong and useful
Please note. No previous experience is required as this course is designed for beginners, but you do need to be 18 or over to take part, be mobile, and as basketmaking can be hard on the hands if you have a loss of strength this might not be the craft for you.
About the Course Leader, Ellie
Ellie is a multi-talented maker – a carver, a knitter of yarn, and a dedicated weaver of baskets. While she studied fine art many years ago, she has always been drawn to using textiles and natural materials to create functional objects. Following a career change, Ellie is now a highly respected full-time basket maker and greenwood carver. You might have seen her work on stage or screen, including Netflix’s The Witcher and Lord of the Rings.
Deeply connected to her materials, if Ellie hasn’t made it, she has likely grown it on her allotment in South West London; this includes some home grown basketry willow. Ellie is a Yeoman of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers as well as being their Trade Advisor, a member of the Basketry Association and the Association of Pole Lathe Turners and Green Woodworkers. She has a relaxed, knowledgeable teaching style and loves sharing her skills at markets, fairs, and workshops. Her students consistently leave her sessions happy with both their new skills and their finished creations.
About the venue
All our greenwood workshops take place at our woodland workshop. This is a covered wooden framed outdoor venue in a private area at Horsenden Farm, with more than enough room to keep everyone covered. This is a short walk from the main entrance, toilets and car park.
Please note the paths to the workshop and the workshop floor are uneven and woodchipped so unfortunately the space is not currently suitable for people with limited mobility.
If you have any questions, drop us a line at friends@horsenden.org
Cancellation policy
Cancellation by You
To request a cancellation, you must notify us in writing via email at friends@horsenden.org. The refund amount is determined by the date your cancellation notice is received.
- Full Refund: Cancellations received more than 3 weeks (21 days) before the scheduled course start date will receive a 100% refund (minus payment processing fees)
- Partial Refund: Cancellations received between 2 and 3 weeks (14-21 days) before the scheduled course start date will receive a 50% refund.
- No Refund: Cancellations received less than 2 weeks (fewer than 14 days) before the scheduled course start date are not eligible for a refund. This is because at this late stage it is very difficult to fill the vacant spot, and we have already committed costs to our tutors.
Attendee Substitutions
If you are unable to attend the course, you are welcome to find a substitute to take your place at any time before the course begins.
To do this, please inform us of the new attendee’s name and contact details. Once the substitute attendee has completed their booking and payment, we will process a 100% refund of your original course fee.
Cancellation by Us
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a course due to unforeseen circumstances, we will provide you with as much notice as possible. You will be offered the choice of either:
- A full refund of your course fee
- A transfer to an alternative course date, subject to availability
Thank you for your understanding and for supporting our craftspeople.
£100.00
