Events & Courses

Natural Coiled Basketry
Saturday 6th July 9.30 am – 3.00 pm – Sunday 9.30 – 1.30

£120 including all tools and materials
Be inspired ! Capture the spirit of Sussex Prairie Garden and take it home as a basket!

In this workshop we will work with Sussex Prairie plant materials harvested in 2018, alongside other materials to make beautiful ‘exposed core’ coiled baskets where the lovely natural colours of the dried plant material are highlighted. For colour junkies, dyed raffia and coloured linen threads will be available to introduce a shot of ‘flower power’.

Coiling is an ancient and traditional basketry technique used widely around the world to create both functional and ceremonial baskets. A plant fibre core is coiled and stitched together, with the kind of stitching used adding rhythm and extra pattern to the basket. Exposed core basketry lends itself to contemporary basketry and can be used to create sculptural forms as well as functional baskets.

We will cover the basics of identifying suitable plant material, harvesting, drying and storing plant fibres, preparing for coiling, shaping and stitching coiled baskets using three coiling stitches. Coiling is a slow and meditative basketry technique so participants can expect to make one medium sized mat or a small basket over the weekend.

The course is suitable for beginners/improvers and the teaching will focus on contemporary applications of this ancient technique.

Tutor: Julie Rignell.

I am a former educator, art therapist and psychotherapist with a life long interest in plants , gardening and the natural environment. I qualified as a basketmaker via the flagship City Lit two year course and am now a full time basketmaker and fibre artist, specialising in using non traditional plant materials in my work. My studio and workshop space is based within the Turner Dumbrell Workshops in Ditchling where I make baskets , teach basketry and hold exhibitions.

To book a place or make further enquiries please contact juliesnaturalbaskets@gmail.com julierignellbasketry.com
Instagram @naturalbasketry