Courses

Rushmore Baskets Courses 2023

2023 courses at a glance

22nd & 23rd AprilTwo Day Course£150 Square rush basketry
20th & 21st MayTwo Day Course£160 Make a rush frail
24th & 25th JuneTwo Day Course £150 Make a twined rush hat
21st OctoberOne 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.