Woven Paper Basket

 

 Wampanoag Twined Baskets

The Wampanoag are known for their traditional basket weaving and particularly for their twined baskets which are made from natural materials like corn husks, grasses, rushes, bark fibers and plants such as milkweed, dogbane and false nettle.

In our craft project we will use easily available materials and simple methods to create a Twined or Woven basket similar to the traditional Wampanoag baskets.

This is an example of a traditional Twined basket made by Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal member, Julia Marden.

 

 

This is a photo of Julia

 

Paper Basket with Candy Corn in a Corn Husk

  

Instructions for Paper basket and Corn Husk candy

 

2 pieces of 9” x 10” piece of construction paper, although any size will work

Glue Stick

Hole punch

Twine, leather cord, yarn or jute

Beads

Corn Husk

Candy Corn or jelly beans

 Fold the construction paper in half and cut 1 inch wide strips.

 Cut one end of the strips all the way through to release the strips and make it easier to weave.

 

Cut 1 inch wide strips from the second piece of paper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Weave these strips throughout the first piece.

  

 

 

When the piece is fully woven use a glue stick to paste down the tabs around the edges on the front and the back. Don’t worry about the strips that can’t be glued.

 

Fold in half.

 Fold in half again. This gives strength to the basket.

 

 

 

 

Now punch holes along two sides and the bottom. Thread your twine or cord into one of the holes at the top, knot it in place leaving a length of cord for a strap to carry or hang your basket. Now sew the sides and bottom of your basket ending with a length of cord on the other side and knot it at the top.

 Add beads to the cord at the top of the basket and tie the two ends together. You can also add beads to the ends of the cord.

You can cut two shorter lengths of cord and knot them to the bottom of your basket for decoration and a place to add more beads.

 

For the corn husk candy corn. Place candy corn or jelly beans in a snack size bag and seal. Take a corn husk and wrap it around the bag. Tie it at the bottom.

  Lea and I would love to hear your comments on this craft project. Please feel free to comment below.