Textile basketry – exploring twining

Explore the basketry technique of twining through a series of workshops focusing on using softer, textile materials such as paper twine and tapestry wool. Starting with an introduction of the technique and materials, you will learn how the technique can be applied to create three-dimensional forms and used to draw lines, as well as, how to work with pattern and colours. You will be encouraged to practise, explore and extend the technique with inspiration from leaf and plant forms.

Ability: Suitable for all
The minimum time required to watch and respond to the video content and complete the tasks is 9 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. Six months of online access to all of the course content.

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Introduction to tutor Mary Crabb and workshop overview

Getting started

Tools, health and safety, work space and materials

Workshops

Introducing the twining technique
Introducing different bases and materials
Exploring three dimensional form
Pattern, line and colour
Escaping the circular form - working flat

Completion

Practise, explore and extend - inspiration for exploring different techniques and materials

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

Scissors: fine, medium and large
Needles: tapestry and plastic
Masking tape
Tape measure
Ruler
Bulldog clips or quilters edge clips
Pen, pencil
Wire cutters (optional – if working with willow or wire)
Secateurs (optional – if working with willow)
Instruction sheets supplied to download as PDFs
Camera for recording processes
Clear flat workspace

Materials

Paper yarn: twisted, plied, folded, 1mm - 3mm thick
Rope: cotton braided, 4-6mm thick.Wool: knitting wool, tapestry wools, carded fleece
String/twines/cord: office string, jute, waxed cotton, garden twines including synthetic, washing line
Yarn: nettle, hemp, linen, sari silk ribbon/braid/twisted, weaving yarns
Threads: embroidery threads
Recycled materials: fabric strips, magazines, plastic sheet/bags
Wire: recycled telephone wire, fine plastic covered wire, fine coloured jewellery wires, 0.5mm thick

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Mary Crabb is an award-winning contemporary basketmaker creating small, detailed and decorative woven forms exploring the connection between basketry and textiles. Having originally worked in willow, she now works with fine flexible materials, both natural and man-made, having discovered textile basketry which took her making in a new direction. She works with fine flexible materials, with the use of a few simple tools, creating work that sits on the edge of basketry and textiles, and drawing skills from both areas: adapting techniques, exploring and experimenting. In essence her work is about communication, education and stories of making. Alongside her making practice, Mary tutors in maths, so thinking mathematically often influences her work.

Mary is a member of the Basketmakers' Association and Yeoman member of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers.

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Textile basketry – exploring twining

Tutor

Mary Crabb

Course content

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