Dyeing Reed 101 – Part II
Okay, here is Part II of Dyeing Reed 101. I was going to wrap Dyeing 
Reed 101 up with this post, however, Part II, grew to way over a thousand words – – – now there is also a Part III!
And things change – while I was writing about types of dyes I realized that I should talk more about colorfastness and using mordants, fixatives and surfactants before I talk about dye.
Dyeing Reed 101 – Part I
I don’t claim to be an expert on dyeing, however over the years I have dyed a lot of stuff (basket related and not), I have used a lot of different dyes – natural, all purpose, direct and reactive, I have dyed natural (protein and cellulose) materials and synthetics, trial and error (failure and success) have been good teachers and I have also done a lot of research. Dyeing is a science; so while there are different ways to dye reed, understanding the science of dyeing will help you have better results.
Whether you use an all purpose dye, direct dye, reactive dye or even a natural dye, I hope you find this article helpful.
Studio Notes
Clean!
Yes, that is just a picture of the floor. The floor in my studio. Please note that it is clean. It is reed free. I even dusted! I actually just stood here and took it all in – it looks kind of impressive. This week our children come home and this will become living space – this week it won’t be reed strewn, but it may be covered in craft supplies and toys and little bodies. It will be a special kind of messy 🙂 Read more
Tea Staining Baskets
When I started weaving someone told me about using tea to stain baskets. It is still one of my favorite ways to finish basket, I love the rich color and I like the smell of the tea brewing. I especially like that this is a non-toxic way to finish a basket.
There are a couple of different methods, here’s how I do it.
Read more
Continuous Weave Filled Basket Base
A very long time ago, I said I was going to do a series of posts on weaving basket bases. Well, I get distracted – there are so many basket related topics to write about, my list just gets longer and longer! The good news is a few weeks ago, I wove this base and got some photos. So here it is – a tutorial on the continuous weave filled basket base.
Stateline Friends Weaving Retreat 2016!
Each April, Pam Feix, Debbie Cates and the Whitewater Basket Guild in Richmond, Indiana host a spectacular three day basket weaving event, Stateline Friends Weaving Retreat. Four hundred people (basket weavers, basket teachers and vendors) gather together to weave baskets, learn new weaving techniques, stock up on basket kits and supplies, enjoy each others company, catch up with old friends and make ones. 
That’s right, Eat, Sleep Weave about sums it up. 🙂 Read more
Paper Nesting Baskets
This week I will be teaching one of my new basket patterns, Recursion, at Stateline Friends Weaving Retreat in Richmond, Indiana for the first time.
So I am releasing the pattern!
Recursion is a set of 5 or 7 nesting baskets, made with 1/8″ or 1/4″ strips of painted paper. These bias weave baskets range in size from 3 ¾” x 3 ¾” x 2” down to 5/8” x 5/8” x ¾”. So much fun to make!
Basket Class with Dianne Gleixner
Dianne Gleixner works out of her studio in Brookfield, Wisconsin. She has regularly scheduled basket classes at her studio and she also teaches at basket guilds and basket weaving events around the country. A few weeks ago Dianne Gleixner came to teach our basket guild.
Braid Weave with three strands
I use the braid weave in several of my patterns: Braid Obsession, Braided Miniatures, Wisconsin Wine Basket and Whispers. The three strand braid weave is one of my favorite basket weaving techniques to teach. In my recent Whispers classes, I have been asked to post a tutorial on the braid weave – so here it is.
When I teach the three strand braid weave, I like to begin by telling my students how it is similar to triple twining and then explain how it is different. What I am going to do is post a pictorial tutorial with the same spiel I give my students. At the end of the tutorial you will find a link to my YouTube video tutorial. Read more
Dream Weavers – the 2016 NCBA Convention!
Thank you to Cathy and all the volunteers who made the Dream Weavers Convention such a success! So good to see old friends, make a few new ones and watch so many amazing basket classes in action. Thank you to each one of you who took a class with me or stopped by my table at market place! I appreciate each one of you.
And now a few pictures of the convention in action. Read more
Check Out my New Resource Page
Little by little I am fine tuning my website. This week I added a resource page to my website. It includes an index to my tutorials and a list of basket materials suppliers. Read more
Woven Together in Western Kentucky
The Woven Together in Western Kentucky 2016 Basket Retreat was held last week. The three day event was held at Rough River Falls State Park and Resort, Kentucky, we wove in the lodge over looking the lake. Beautiful!
I brought my camera and took lots of pictures of my basket classes and the event, so today I’ll give you a pictorial tour of a great basket weaving retreat.
Carol tending the registration table. Carol has been co-chairing this basket event for many years – this was her last year. Thanks for all your work Carol … next year you can take classes! Read more
Introducing two new basket patterns
This week I will be teaching at Woven Together in Western Kentucky Retreat. It is a great basket weaving retreat in a beautiful location. I will also be teaching two of my newest baskets, Whispers and Wrapped Up; which means I am also releasing the patterns.
Whispers
Double X Basket Lashing with Waxed Linen
Today I am posting a tutorial on another way to double lash your basket. Last month, I posted ‘Lashing a Basket with Waxed Linen‘ and, in that post, I showed how to lash with waxed linen and how to do a V lash. This tutorial will show you how to lash a basket going around the basket once and creating a double lash with a double X on each lash. If you are new to lashing with waxed linen you may want to read ‘Lashing your Basket a Waxed Linen‘ to learn how to start the lasher, add on, and end the lasher.
The Double X Lashing
Starting just to the right of the overlaps (to the left, if you weave left handed), secure the waxed linen and thread it from outside to inside in the next space.
Read more
How to Square the Base of a Basket
Shaping starts with the base
so today, I thought I would share not only how to square the base of a basket, but also why it is important to square the base.
First, what does it mean to square the base of a basket?
Squaring a base really means making sure that the corners are ‘square’, or 90°. So you can ‘square’ a rectangular or square base.
I love your Beaded Ring Basket. They make wonderful gifts. I am having trouible finding the 5/32″ black ash (FO) for rimming. Any suggestions on where I can go to find this?
Hmm that’s a good question. Try Red Valley Splint.
What is the name of the basket you have on your email post – the diagonal plaited basket with two handles??? Love it.
The basket is called ‘Zoe’ I am weaving it and writing the pattern right now 🙂
I finished the four strand braid basket with beads . A bit of a challenge to figure out, the video was great. Live the way the beads went in. A fun little basket.
Great!! Glad the video helped!
Beautiful baskets! Especially love the miniatures on the trees! Thanks for sharing.
I notice the comment about the 4 strand brad basket with beads. I am looking for a basket pattern that uses beads in the basket. What do you suggest? Thank you for the help.
Shirley, I have one basket that incorporates beading in the weave: Beaded Ring Basket
I also know that Susan Coyle has some beautiful basket patterns with beads. I am not sure if she has a web site, but you may be able to find her patterns on basketpatterns.com
I hope this is a good start for you.
Hi Annette,
I’m making your Twines and Braids pattern, and am in need of more beads for this basket. May I ask where you purchased
them, so I can order more?
Thank you!!!
Betty G