The final class for the year was Random Weave Scuplture – another spontaneous selection from Sydney Community College.

This was a really wonderful class – great instructor, lovely group of women – and sitting quietly weaving together was so restful and nourishing.

Our weaving material was palm inflorescence from cocos and (I think) bangalow palms. We needed to keep everything wet and pliable by soaking or wrapping in a wet towel. Otherwise it was really quite simple – in and out and in and out.

I’ve learned that I am quite challenged by randomness!

On with the (many!) process pix …

BASKET #1

The bones of the basket – a slice of cocos palm inflorescence.

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Step 1: tie at the top to make an approximate baskety shape.

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Step 2: make a ring of stability (which I keep thinking of as ring of confidence) about 2/3 of the way up with the cocos.

The cocos is a little stronger, so works better for structure.

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Step 3: Randomly weave with cocos and bangalow.

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Step 4: and weave

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Step 5+: weave, weave, weave

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Class baskets! Mine is in there somewhere

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Finished product!

While the instructor was explaining a process, I was fiddling with the cast-off tough spine of another non-palm plant (I have absolutely no memory of what it was other than something grassy) and unintentionally made a loop shape.

I was persuaded to incorporate that into the basket which I think was a good choice.

Now I need to work out how to get a hanging plant in there!

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BASKET #2

We started on our second baskets but everyone quickly ran out of time, so we took supplies home to finish up.

This is what I arrived home with.

After about 3 hours sitting on the garage floor, listening to an audiobook and weaving, weaving, weaving and weaving some more. This is much more densely woven than my first effort as I was keen to use all the materials.

action shot

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Would I do more random weaving? Maybe! It was definitely a challenge for me to work with an imperfect shape and not be able to bend it to my will.

I definitely want to have a crack at some more basketry – perhaps something a little more precise and less random next time.