See-through sisal basket

9 May 2014
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Pour glue into a bowl and thin it with warm water

Soak some sisal in the glue mixture

Draw a large rectangle on a plastic sheet

Fill the rectangle with glue soaked sisal

Draw a second rectangle, these form the front and back of the bag

Fill this rectangle with glue soaked sisal. Leave to dry

Draw a longer rectangle that will be the base of the bag

Fill the base rectangle with sisal

Draw the first of the rectangles that will shape the sides

And fill this with sisal

Draw the last side rectangle.

Fill this rectangle with sisal and set aside to dry completely

Once dry, carefully peel the panels from the plastic and start to assemble

Place the base rectangle flat on a working surface and stand the first of the side rectangles on the edge

I use butterfly hair-clips to keep the sisal in place. See the Tutorial below for detail instructions

Place the second rectangle and secure with a clip

Place the first side rectangle and clip in place

... and then the last side rectangle

The sisal shape is now ready to glue into place

I am painting the entire shape with glue. To make it easier (and to stain the sisal)I tint the sisal with a drop of paint so that I can see where I have already glued. Pour a drop paint into some wood glue...

... and mix well

Paint the entire sisal shape with glue. This creates a strong shape that will not buckle or warp. Smooth the loose fibers around the sides to ensure it bonds well. Pay extra care to the connection points

Set the sisal shape aside to dry completely