My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Weaving a fan basket

Cardboard base for the basket

To create a strong fan shape cut a circle out of cardboard. Fold in three to create a flat base. I made the front slightly lower than the back. The bottom is lined with Styrofoam because I will pierce the test tubes securely into the design (see last picture). Glue with wood glue and clamp to dry.

Start the weaving pattern

Start the weaving pattern by covering the front and back with long strips of Kyogi paper leaving the ends hanging loose

Decorative edge for the insides

Create a decorative edge for the insides by weaving more strips. Secure the strips with wood glue. See how the fan shape shows even though the strips cover it?

Continue the weaving pattern at the sides

Continue the weaving pattern on the sides to cover the styrofoam strip.

Place the lilies in test tubes.

Place the lilies into water filled tubes. I used tubes with a sharp end which I pierced into the Styrofoam to secure each flower neatly in place.

Kyogi paper was historically used in Japan to wrap food – all natural, keeps the food from drying out, adds a subtle flavour and it can be composted to return to the crop-soil-cycle! It is pine (or cedar) wood that is shaved so thin it’s almost transparent. It can be wrapped, rolled, cut, stained, torn and easily glued.

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

8 June 2011 Foliage Weaving

For this tutorial I focus on a simple weave pattern that does not require you to soften or prepare the leaves to be more durable or flexible. This is the starting point in...

Related Designs

7 June 2011 Floating Boat Orchid

The name Cymbidium or boat Orchid is derived from the Greek word Kumbos meaning "hole or cavity", referring to the hollowness in the base of the lip of the flowers.

12 July 2011 Blown Away

Kyogi Paper and Phalaenopsis Orchids Blown Away in the wind

21 July 2011 Tradition and Technique, Technique and Tradition

When you need inspiration for a design problem study a Traditional Craft- you will be amazed!

7 April 2011 Weaving with Flax

Here are a few more examples of woven flax. I also use Typha, palm, iris leaves, Kyogi paper, boat orchid leaves and aspidistra to weave with.