Basketry masterclass – English Square Work

Learn from expert basketmaker Mary Butcher as she shares her knowledge of traditional techniques in English Square Work. English Square work has a unique way of creating corners; with step by step guidance on the different aspects of this technique, you will learn how to overcome and master the challenges associated with this work.

Ability: Intermediate/Advanced
The minimum time required to watch and respond to the video content and complete the tasks is 1.5-2 hours. The tutor also recommends how you can develop your work further so that you can continue to use the skills acquired on this course for future projects. One year of online access to all of the course content.

Introduction to masterclass tutor Mary Butcher, and overview of content

Getting Started

Health and safety, materials, tools and key terms

Workshops

How to set up a straight sided base
Weaving the base
Traditional methods of staking the base
Starting the upsett
Starting the weaving
Weaving the top border
Recap and summary

Course includes:

Access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with course content
A series of instructional videos to work through and repeat at your own pace
Practical tasks to complete
Helpful materials suppliers list
Student online gallery where you can post images of your work for tutors to review and comment on
Support from the college and tutors via email should you need it during the course
Additional notes and ideas

You will need:
Tools

Soap or grease such as Vaseline
Pencil or pen
A good penknife such those made by Opinel which have fold-away blades. A size 6 or 7 straight blade is suitable for most purposes. (Craft knives are not suitable as the blades are too thin and can crack if twisted)
Bodkin – 13 cm, 5 ½ inches long and about 1.5cm ¾ in at handle junction. (If you can find one with a metal rod that goes up through the wooden handle it will last longer)
Rapping iron for making the weaving really close and for straightening sticks. (A hammer will work)
Side cutters
Secateurs
Pliers
Fid – a rope-splicing tool, for making spaces in the weave
G-clamps
Screw block, a vice of sufficient length to take the width of the finished base, or a workmate
A weight, about 2kg, to hold work steady while weaving the sides - anything will do, a stone or tin of beans!
A water spray to keep work damp
A measure

Materials

Dry sticks about the thickness of a pencil, from either 5' or 6' rods
4ft willow, any colour of your choice, which has been soaked for about 3 hours in cold water and preferably left in a damp cloth overnight. It can be used straight after coming out of the water but may be less supple. Any thickness can be used, avoiding extremes of thinness or thickness.

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Mary is a basketmaker, exhibition curator, writer and teacher. She began her career as a willow weaver and in 1993 a QEST Basketmakers’ Company Scholarship allowed her to study traditional basketmaking techniques and practices in the UK.

She then completed a Fellowship in Basketmaking at Manchester Metropolitan University, and investigated other ways of making. Her techniques and materials vary from the traditional to the contemporary using natural stems, leaves, bark, wire, plastics, vellum, paper and lots of colour.

Mary is the author of Willow Work (published by David & Charles, 1987). She held a prestigious crafts residency at the V&A’s Sackler Centre in 2009. She received an MBE for services to basketmaking in 2012 and one of two Crafts Skills Champions Awards in 2013.

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Basketry masterclass – English Square Work

Tutor

Mary Butcher

Course content

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