Unless otherwise stated this year I will be teaching many of my workshops at Haddenham Arts Centre, 20 High Street, Haddenham, Ely, CB6 3XA. These courses are also advertised on their website but please book direct with me Nadine Anderson
elybasketmaker@gmail.com
The following are dates and course content arranged so far but other dates will follow so keep an eye out for new additions. If you wish to arrange a private group then please do email me to discuss your ideas, dates and costs.
If you are an experienced maker but are looking for one to one or small group tuition, or a mentoring course please email me to discuss your ideas and aims. I love teaching techniques but also like to encourage people to explore materials in new ways as well as how to design their own work.
January
Willow Shoulder Basket £120 per person
Saturday 23rd January 2027 9.30am-4.30pm
Suitable for beginners & improvers.5 of 10 spaces available
Weave a very practical & attractive basket that can be worn over the shoulder on a long fabric or leather strap. Working with fine willows grown by Nadine as well as Somerset grown white and buff noir willow. Weaving on a preformed narrow oval hoop to form the base, exploring a variety of weaves such as 3 rod waling, English rand, French rand & slewing.
February
Fine Rush Baskets & Mats £120 per person
Saturday 6th February 2027 9.30am-4.30pm
Suitable for beginners & improvers. 8 of 8 spaces available.
Weave a place mat, small basket or pocket on or off a mould in fine or coarse Cambridgeshire grown rush. this is a great way to experience weaving with a beautiful vernacular material and learn several basic basketry techniques. A mindful day in a calm atmosphere focusing gently on the material, how it behaves and what you can create, rather than volume.
March
Willow Swallows Decorations & Rush Mats or Pots £120
Saturday 6th March 2027 9.30am-4.30pm
Suitable for beginners &improvers. 8 of 8 spaces available
A basketry skills for beginners day where a willow swallow decoration will be woven in fine Cambridgeshire grown willows. Then a chance to weave softer foraged rushes to make small place mats or baskets.This day is a great way to experience weaving with two different materials and learn several basic basketry techniques. Advice will be given on alternative sticks and leaves that may be grown in your garden.
April
Rush Docky Bag £450 per person
Spring School Tuesday 20th-Friday 23rd April 2027 9.30am-4.30pm each day
Suitable for those with some basketmaking experience. 5 of 8 spaces available.
For Spring School 2027 dive into the rush world of Fen dwellers of the 1800’sand plait yourself a Docky Bag. Long lengths of 7 end plait are stitched together with a mattress stitch that hides the hemp cord and pulls the two edges of plait into one another.
Starting at the base then spiralling up to the top rim, making a lid from two other lengths of plait stitched about one another. Finally, stitching leather handles to the main body of the basket that thread through slots in the lid to make an historical basket very functional for modern living.
There is a comprehensive handout that accompanies the teaching, a useful reference document if you wish to make more after the course.
May
Oval Willow Garden Basket £240 per person
Friday 21st – Saturday 22nd May 2027, 9.30am-4.30pm each day
Suitable for beginners & improvers. 8 of 8 available.
This two day course allows you to mindfully weave with Cambridgeshire grown willows, making a shallow oval garden basket. A Catalan style base using an oval hoop makes this accessible for beginners and the side weaves are 3 rod waling in chasing groups, French or English rand, followed by 4 behind 2 rod border. Planning for a handle, handle liners and ways to wrap handle bows, are useful skills for future projects.
June
Round Fine Willow Baskets at The Old Brewery Studios, King’s Cliffe Please book direct with Sue Kirk suekirkwillowbaskets@outlook.com
Monday 1st & Tuesday 2nd June 2027 9.30am-4.30pm each day
Suitable for beginners & improvers
I will be teaching traditional weaving techniques using2-5foot willows. White & buff noir from Musgrove Willows, Somerset combined with her Cambridgeshire grown Dicky Meadows and Le Petite Grisette. Working in the round to create shallow egg baskets, deeper fruit picking baskets or wider shallow trays. These have been my “bread and butter” pieces for more than 28 years. Pairing, waling, English & French rand, rod borders, wrapped handles are some of the techniques that will be taught. I will give lots of tips on shaping and proportions that will be helpful when learners weave independently and design their own future baskets.
July
Dates and content coming soon
August
Dates and content coming soon
September
Dates and content coming soon
October
Rush Twill Weave Totes at The Old Brewery Studios, King’s Cliffe Please book direct with Sue Kirk suekirkwillowbaskets@outlook.com
Monday 4th & Tuesday 5th October 2027 9.30am-4.30pm each day
Weaving with Rushes foraged in Cambridgeshire create a beautiful and practical Tote basket with leather handles for comfort and longevity. This rush project covers a variety of traditional basketry techniques such as double check weave on the base, pairing, 3 rod waling, double twill weave on the sides, and a durable 2 or 3 rod border. A great basket if you are new to rush work and making on a mould.
November
Dates and content coming soon
December
Dates and content coming soon
