Thursday 6 -Sunday 9 July 2023

Sculptural textile basketry will focus on the techniques of weaving, twining and wrapping, with a theme of making structures. The plants in West Dean Gardens will provide inspiration.

Using West Dean Gardens for inspiration, the glasshouses especially are a wonderful source for ideas. Visiting the Gardens and collecting visual information will be part of the course, this could be by drawing or taking images. In particular we will be noticing the structures flowers, leaves and stems and consider how these can be reinterpreted in a woven form.

The course will begin with the learning of the basics of weaving, twining and wrapping, with initial tutor led sampling of the techniques. Basics of joining in new threads, changing direction of working, tensioning and finishing will all be covered. The techniques will be introduced and developed during the course, with the intention of different structures being trialled. You will be encouraged to work with materials across a broad range; from cotton rope, paper, fabric, threads, wool, paper yarn and string.

West Dean College, West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex. PO18 0QZ.

For more information and booking,  please visit the West Dean College short course website.