Melon Basket Course Saturdays 13th August - 10th Sept 2022

Turning plant fibres into a useful and attractive basket can provide a sense of pride and  immense satisfaction in being able to use something you have created. A melon basket is a structural basket, made by twining soft plant fibre weavers around a rigid framework of two strong circles with ribs to form the base. This course will take you through the stages of material preparation, frame construction and weaving in four sessions, with a two week break before the final class, to allow for some additional weaving time at home. 

Saturdays August 13th, 20th, 27th, Sept 3rd and 10th 1pm – 4pm
at Bluebird House, 51 Carr St, South Geelong

Materials: Included in the course will be information on suitable plant fibres to use for melon baskets, and how to gather, store and prepare them. The basketry frame is formed with vines such as grapevine, passionfruit, wisteria and the weavers with flax, red hot poker, iris and bulrush.
Caroline will have some ready to use plant materials available, but will encourage participants to source and prepare materials of their own to contribute to the completion of their baskets. Anyone with potentially suitable frame materials is welcome to contact Caroline prior to the course commencing for advice on preparation and storage.

Student’s equipment list: Scissors, secateurs, pegs, string and old towels

Enrol with Bluebird House (to be advised)