Rushmore Baskets Courses 2023
2023 courses at a glance
| 22nd & 23rd April | Two Day Course | £150 | Square rush basketry |
| 20th & 21st May | Two Day Course | £160 | Make a rush frail |
| 24th & 25th June | Two Day Course | £150 | Make a twined rush hat |
| – | – | – | – |
| 21st October | One Day Course | £70 | Rush & other natural fibre baskets |
| 18th & 19th November | Two Day Course | £160 | Make a large plaited tray |
Booking:
For a booking form email me at rushmorebaskets@gmail.com, DM me on Instagram at clair_at_rushmore or text me on 07713 514902
Venue:
All courses will be held at the Birches Farm Barn near Kington, Herefordshire.
Square rush basketry
Two day course
Dates: Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd April
Time: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Price: £150.00
This course will teach a range of square basket possibilities, including plain and twill weaves over a mould, sandwich-and-sew borders and more. You will leave the course with at least one square basket suitable for fruit or bread.
The course is suitable for complete beginners, those with basketmaking experience in other materials who want to try rush, and those who have done some rush basketmaking and wish to extend their skills.
Make a rush frail
Two-day course
Dates: Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May
Time: 10.00 to 5.00 pm
Price: £160
The frail is a highly traditional lidded rush basket. This course will teach the wide-plait method of frail making. Some elements of the basket will be available ready made in case of time shortage!
This will be quite an intensive course and will suit those with some basketmaking experience wishing to extend their skills.
Make a rush sun hat
Two-day course
Dates: Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June
Time: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Price: £150
Make a sun hat in time for the heat of summer.
Made over a hat block mould, this hat is woven using a pairing weave and can have a variety of brims to suit your taste. Students will be asked to supply their chosen hat size and style (sun hat or bowler) ahead of the class so that a suitable hat block is available.
This course is suitable for beginners but requires perseverance!
Rush and other natural fibres
One day course
Date: Saturday 21st October
Time: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Price: £70
Suitable for everyone, this course will explore baskets you can make from rush and materials collected from the garden or further afield. Some garden and wild materials will be supplied, but bring your own too.
Leaves such as iris, crocosmia, daffodil, daylily, gladiolus, flax, cordyline are all suitable – cut them long and hang them up in bunches by the tip ends somewhere airy to dry.
A great course for everyone interested in gardening and wild fibres or the cross over between textile and basketry. You should take home at least one basket.
Make a large plaited tray
Two day course
Dates: Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November
Time: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Price: £160
This course will teach flat plaiting methods using 3, 5, or 7 end plaits. The first day will be spent making a length of plait and the second sewing it into an open basket or tray. At the end of the course, you will have a basket to take home.
This course is suitable for complete beginners, those with basketmaking experience in other materials who want to try rush, and those who have done some rush basketmaking and wish to extend their skills.
I shall also be teaching at Cogges Farm Museum in Witney, Oxfordshire in March and July 2023. Please see their WEBSITE for details.