Willow Weaving Course at Brogdale

Working with Willow: About the Willow Weaving Courses at Brogdale

Get hands on practice and learn the skills you need to work with willow and make baskets. Perfect for those new to traditional willow basket weaving as well as those wishing to rekindle their skills.

Our one-day Working with Willow course is the perfect introduction to one of the oldest crafts known. Basket weaving remains dating back to 8,000BC have been found in Egypt! During the one-day course you will learn the traditional skills necessary to work with willow and weave baskets. Once you have the basic skills the possibilities are endless for what you can go on to make at home.

Start the day learning about the different types of willow, handling the material, and discovering why and how the particular willows are used. Spend the rest of the day learning the process of making a small basket suitable for fruit, bread and other small items. Use locally grown willow to make your basket and take your finished creation home at the end of the day.

You will need: Notebook, tools available for you to use but if you have a good strong pair of secateurs please bring them along.

A waiver must be signed by participants on arrival.

About the Instructor:

Pat McFarlane is a lifelong crafter who has spend many years leaning and developing her craft skills. A craft tutor for inner London Education Authority and Local Councils for many years for Pat attended The London College of furniture and gained City and Guilds Basketry Parts I, II and III over a period of 5 years. She has continued to teach basket weaving locally to small craft groups and organisations. Pat love passing on the skills of working with willow to new people and loves to get people excited about learning something new.

What People Say…

“I had a super day basket weaving, it was a great day and I can’t believe how quickly the day passed! Will definitely come back again to build on what I learnt. Really impressed with everything and would not hesitate to recommend others to sign up… as long as a space is left for me! Will sign up for other courses as well, all in all highly recommended”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the session on Willow Weaving with Pat. She presented the task clearly and was very helpful throughout the workshop. She is warm and friendly and approachable. I would certainly consider attending another session in the future to learn how to make more items.

For details of Brogdale Collections other short courses click here