Join me at the Central Scotland School of Crafts in Dunblane for a three day master class in the heritage craft techniques of basketmaking, and leave at the end with a beautifully crafted fruit picking basket. We will be making a traditional Kentish Kibsey, used for harvesting plums, cherries, apples and other top fruits depending on size. The basket could also be used a shopping basket of course, or whatever else you want it to be. The basket will be based on time served traditional design, and given due care should be outlasting you to hand down the generations!

We will cover all the fundamental techniques of basketmaking, including underfoot bases for those students confident in willow handling and some basketry techniques already. We will work on understanding the structure of a basket, and practise selecting the correct grade of willow for each part of the basket, using Scottish and English grown willows. Techniques taught will include tying an underfoot slath, pairing weave, secure joins, staking up, pull down wale, 3 rod waling, slewing, packing, rod border, square corner technique, making a handle bow and handle wrapping.