Autumn Willow Frame Basket Workshop

Make your own basket using willow and foraged materials in Red Lodge, Suffolk.



3 hours

Class size 1 to 6 (public classes), 6 to 12
  £45
Ipswich Activities
In this workshop, we will make a small frame basket using willow and other materials. These baskets were traditionally made by country people who were not trained basket makers. They are simple to design and make, and an ideal introduction to more advanced basketry. They are great for foraging and garden produce gathering.
Your basket can be completely made of willow, but it is also possible to incorporate other fresh materials to add colour and variety. The main framework will be made for you beforehand and left to dry, ready for weaving with willow and any other materials you would like to bring.
For our autumn workshops, we use willow grown in Somerset. It is possible to incorporate other materials foraged from gardens and hedgerows too.
Suggested materials:
  • Ivy
  • Contorted willow
  • Dogwood
  • Lime runners
  • Hazel
  • Eucalyptus
  • Bramble (thornless or strip the thorns with gloves!)
Willow is a lovely medium to work with, and most people find weaving relaxing and therapeutic. However, it can be quite hard on the fingers. We can find ways to alleviate this for most people, but if you have arthritis or other mobility issues, you might want to discuss this with Toni first to see what help we can offer.
What you'll get
  • All materials.
  • A finished basket.
  • Tea/coffee and cake.
Knowledge required
Ideal for basket-making beginners.
What to bring
  • Your own secateurs if you prefer to use them.
  • Any foraged materials you would like to try from the list above-or any other suitable weaving materials.
Location

Red Lodge Millennium Centre Ltd, Lavender Cl, Red Lodge, Bury Saint Edmunds

Autumn Willow Frame Basket Workshop location
More info

This class is new, and is covered by ClassBento's money-back guarantee.

Your teacher

Toni Cross
Toni Cross

female Women-owned

Willow artist Toni Cross has been working in the arts for over thirty years, and with willow for almost twenty. She has worked with schools, groups of adults and young people, including adults with special learning needs.
She has built living willow sculptures and structures with primary schools, made a ten foot high living Bittern with young birdwatchers, and made animal sculptures and garden decorations with adults, children, and families working together too.
Toni runs workshops for wildlife trusts and other conservation organisations as well as schools and groups, and organises her own workshops using village halls and other venues in East Anglia and Yorkshire.
When not weaving willow Toni is also a nature and wildlife photographer, producing her own range of gifts and calendars, as well as using her images and time in the field to influence and inform her animal and wildlife sculpture.

Gift this artisan class

With our gift card, they can book this class at a time that suits them.

They can also choose from our 17,000+ other classes.

redeem Gifting options

Book on ClassBento and enjoy exclusive perks:


  • Earn loyalty points
  • Money-back guarantee* for peace of mind
  • Local support from our UK-based team, rated 5 stars by customers
  • Public liability insurance included for your protection
  • ClassBento donates 50p to Mental Health UK with every paid booking
class 0 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 1 production ipswich Ipswich East of England GB ipswich