March 21, 2009

My Handmade Baskets

Every quilter loves baskets, I am sure of that because I do. I love the unusual baskets like the ones you would find in the Arabian countries or in Africa and the handmade baskets of course. My mother was a basket maker. I was too young to learn the skills from her, but I still remembered her weaving baskets. I never imagine that one day I would be weaving baskets myself. On a rainy day, I walked into a cottage in Wattle Park to find a group of ladies weaving baskets. I was very excited, I asked them if I could join the group? They were very welcoming ladies and I joined the group on the spot. I have had many lessons with them and with expert basket makers from the USA, Australia and the UK. I made many baskets in the last 4 years. I gave more than a dozen of them away to friends around the world. Not having finished any quilts lately I thought I would show off some of the baskets I made last year.

This is a stitch basket using New Zealand flax. I stripped the fresh flax leaves and then plaited into a long length. I then started stitching from the base up. New Zealand flax is also very strong after it dries. I lined the inside of the basket with quilt fabric and I use this basket like a hand bag.

This one is called basket over the mold. It made over a styrofoam mold. The main frame came from the leaves of cordyline plant. Cordyline leaf gets very strong when it dries and this is a very strong basket. I used mixed plant fibres such as watsonia leaves, red hot poker, combungi and flex for weaving. This is a very useful basket to take to quilt meetings, picnics or as a work basket. I made one for my daughter-in-law who is a school teacher and she uses it for her classroom works.

Enjoy

7 comments:

Julia said...

They are besutiful Natima..
You are very clever..
I remember weaving a little cane tray at school...many years ago.
Wish I had kept it.
Julia ♥

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Natima...these are gorgeous...you are a very talented lady...Dzintra Ingrid

Micki said...

I absolutely love them! When I do visit, you will have to show me how to do it. Baskets are just so versatile and fun to have.
Great job!
Micki

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi Natima...Thank you for visiting my new blog...thank you for being the first to comment, much appreciated...Dzintra XX

Lurline said...

Hey, Natima - visit me please - your are the runner-up winner of my Giveaway, so it's your turn to pick after Rumi, so please keep an eye on my blog - also, please send me your snail mail address!
Congratulations and hugs - Lurline♥

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

This is an OT comment but...

Having read your comment in Micki's blog.. I wanted to say that I do hope you will read the "Twilight" Series of books. :-)

I've been hooked for a long time, and I love to see more potential readers.

Aunt Amelia

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

This is an OT comment but...

Having read your comment in Micki's blog.. I wanted to say that I do hope you will read the "Twilight" Series of books. :-)

I've been hooked for a long time, and I love to see more potential readers.

Aunt Amelia

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