Cattail Basket Weaving Sept 5/19

September 5: Learn how to harvest, process, and prepare cattails for weaving. Participants will create cordage using two traditional techniques: plaiting and the two-strand twist. The cordage made in this class will be used during the second session.
September 19: Using the cordage created in Part 1, participants will weave a small basket with a spiral stitch technique using raffia.
Class Description: Discover how to transform one of Illinois' most common wetland plants into a functional basket. Cattails grow in every county of Illinois and have been used for generations to make rope, mats, baskets, and more. In this two-part workshop, participants will learn when and how to harvest cattails, prepare the fibers, create strong cordage, and weave it into a finished basket using traditional techniques. No prior weaving experience is necessary and all cattails have been collected in Illinois and processed by the instructor.