Technique Class - Woven Baskets Part I

Today I'm going to show you how to make the base of your woven basket using two sheets of cardstock and various tools. These little baskets are great for Easter, but would also make lovely gift bags for birthdays, Mother's Day or even Christmas.

Requirements: 2 sheets of cardstock 12" x 12" Scissors Craft knife Cutting mat Double sided tape Compass or circle template (no large than 3 3/4" diametre) Pencil and ruler Bone folder / scoring tool 3 small brads / split pins - if desired Piercing tool Matching ink - if desired Embellishments - if desired

1. With your compass and pencil (or circle template) draw a circle in the centre of one piece of cardstock. The circle should be no more than 3 3/4" in diametre. Draw a number of radiating spines out from the centre of the cardstock to the edges. These should be no less than 1/4" in diametre and should be relatively evenly spaced. Don't worry about getting these perfect, it doesn't matter too much, however you do need to ensure that you have an even number of spines.

2. Cut out your circle and spines in one piece as shown below. DO NOT even up the length of the spines, just leave them as they are. RESERVE THE OFF CUTS.

3. From the second piece of cardstock, cut five 12" x 1/2" strips. Ink the edges all the pieces if desired. RESERVE THE REMAINDER.

4. With the base flat on the table, fold all the spines up toward the centre of the basket.

5. Choose a spine as your starting point, anywhere is fine. Add a thin piece of double sided tape no longer than 1/2" to the outside of the spine as shown in the picture below.

6. Adhere one of the long strips to the piece of double sided tape as shown. Since I am right handed I find it easier to work to the right, but you may want to do it in reverse if you are left handed.

7. The next spine to the right should be laying down on the table as shown. Add a small piece of double sided tape to the second spine at the position indicated. This will hold it in place as you work, but won't be strong enough to cause you problems if you need to shift the spine for any reason.

8. Now let the weaving begin! The first spine is behind the 12" x 1/2" strip, the second spine is in front, the third spine will be behind, the fourth spine will be in front... continue this pattern until you come back to your starting point. NOTE: I added a small piece of double sided tape on every second spine (those spines that are on the outside) to hold them in place as I worked.

9. When you get back to the starting position, add a bigger piece of double sided tape to the inside of the 12" x 1/2" strip as shown and adhere it over the starting piece. (If you used the same measurements that I did you will find that the 12" x 1/2" strip will be the perfect size for the basket. If you used a different diametre circle, then you may need to trim your strip or add a little more.)

10. Use a piercing tool to make a hole through both ends of the 12" x 1/2" strip and the first spine, then push one of the small brads through. Open the brad on the inside of the basket and flatten the ends with your fingers or a pair of pliars. This step isn't strictly necessary, but I like how it looks! Get your second 12" x 1/2" strip of cardstock and this time apply a small amount of double sided tape on the outside at the end as shown.

11. Adhere the second strip to the same starting spine, but this time it will be behind the spine as shown in the picture below. Start weaving again, this time in an alternate pattern to the strip below. I again applied double sided tape to the outside spines in order to better hold everything together as I worked.

12. To finish the second strip, apply a bigger piece of double sided tape on the outside at the end, then adhere it behind the starting spine.

13. The third 12" x 1/2" strip of cardstock is woven in the same way as the first. The fourth strip of 12" x 1/2" strip of cardstock is woven in the same way as the second. The fifth strip of 12" x 1/2" cardstock is woven in the same way as the first. NOTE: I only added brads on the first, third and fifth strips for effect.

By this stage you should have a basket that looks like the picture above. Remember not to trim any of the spines despite them being different lengths as you will use those lengths tomorrow when we weave around the top of the basket.