A basket is usually a simple container made of stiffened fiber and is made of a wide variety of materials, such as wood, wicker, cane, and plastic. While most baskets made of these types of materials are typically made manually, some baskets may be machine made. Baskets vary in size and shape depending upon the purpose for which they are used. Many baskets, for example, are used to store household items, while others may contain flowers, potpourri, and food.
A number of different materials may be utilized in the manufacture of baskets, but one of the most common materials is wicker. Though there are several types of wicker, basketry, and basket weave baskets are the most common. Baskets made of wicker are available in a number of different designs and colors. Some of the more common basketry patterns include:
The basketry of the French variety consists of intricate floral arrangements strung onto branches of the stems. Basketry can also be found with earth tones and are typically used to decorate porches, decks, patios, decks, gardens, and yards. In addition to flowers, basketry can consist of shrubs, grass, vines, and trees. Other types of plants used in basketry include bamboo, cork wood, pine, fir, elm, hemlock, oak, and walnut. In addition to being used to make baskets, basketry is also used to create curtains, table covers, decorative wall or ceiling finials, and many other home decorating applications. Basketry is often displayed on the walls of churches, because of its heavy duty construction and rich colorful nature.
While there are some limitations to what can be put into a basket, baskets can hold just about anything that would normally fit. Some examples of items that would likely find a place in a basket include figurines, toys, books, decorative accessories, kitchenware, and even shoes. However, the possibilities are nearly endless for basket makers. Basketry has long been a favorite craft of many families, and thanks to the internet, the chapters have a wealth of resources at their fingertips.
To begin the process of making a basket, a person will need some raw materials including fabric, raffia, buttons, ribbon, and a few dried flowers. Once the person has gathered these items, they should gather up a supply of non-woven batting or felt that they can use to construct the outline of the basket, as well as fill it with the filler. When shopping for quality raw materials, it is important to focus on raffia fibers, as these fibers are woven with an eye to giving maximum stretch and strength. After the raffia is woven into the desired pattern, it is time to gather up the raw materials and wrap them in raffia or felt. After the raffia or felt is attached to the basket with the use of clasps, it is time to affix the finished product and finish it with a beautiful bow.
It may seem that making baskets out of raw materials is a difficult process, but with the use of modern day tools and techniques, it has become much easier. There are many different types of tools and techniques that make the process of making baskets much easier, such as the hook and loop tape, a wire cutter, and a variety of knives. There are also a wide range of online resources to help one create an attractive basket, even without access to tools or machinery. With patience and creativity, one can create a masterpiece out of practically any combination of materials.