|
Enter
Basketweaving.com for Q&A and more.
Need Seat Weaving Supplies?
Visit
www.seatweaving.org
Click here
for Gift Suggestions for
Basket Weavers.
Camps & Schools
Click Here
| |
Top 10 Most Asked
Questions at V. I. Reed & Cane
Naturally, our site attracts both beginning and
advanced weavers, so we receive a lot of questions in our day to day business.
In no particular order, here are 5 of them. (5 more next month)
1. Do we dye our
baskets before or after we weave them?
If your baskets are small and you want them to be all one color, it's
easiest to weave the basket first. Then mix your dye in a kitchen pail or
USG-type bucket. Immerse the basket for the number of desired minutes.
This is without a doubt the easiest way to go.
If you want to combine colors, naturally you're going to dye the reed
separately and weave the colors as needed. Furthermore, if you're weaving
a large basket, the easiest thing to do is to pre-dye the reed. Set
the dye color with a glug or two of vinegar in the final rinse. If it's a
particularly rich color, as you pick up a reed weaver to weave, wipe the
reed with a cloth to remove excess dye. |
2. How do I make my basket
pattern bigger?
There ARE formulas for this. I personally don't use a formula. I use a
tape measure to estimate the spoke length as it's going to run from
the top, down the side, across the bottom, up the side again. Add extra
length for cutting and tucking. Then you need to figure out the number of
spokes. VERY IMPORTANT: you need an odd number of spokes if a centered
handle or D-handle is going to be involved. Divide the desired diameter of
the basket by the spoke width plus space between spokes. For example, a
12" square base. 12" divided by 1/2" spoke + 1/4"
space. 12 divided by 3/4"= 16 spokes. |
3. Who wove the first
basket?
Don't laugh. We get this question from kids all the time when they're
working on their cultural history reports. |
4. How do I dye with black
walnut hulls?
If you're one of the lucky ones with a black walnut tree in your yard, you
need to get a plastic trash can to keep your brew in. No need to hull the
nuts. The green part is going to produce the dye. Put the nuts in a nylon
stocking, mesh onion bag, burlap sack or even an old pillow case. Tie with
a strong cord, and tie this cord to the handle of the trash barrel. Cover
with water and let soak till you have a nice brown dyebath. Maybe a week.
Maybe less. Experiment with it. The bag should keep the dye from getting
too messy, but if it still gets chunks of hull, strain out the pieces.
Place the basket in the dye until color is as desired. You can use it over
and over again. Add more hulls as needed. Add vinegar ( OR
ammonia) to keep the mold down. Keep the can covered unless you have a
bizarre sense of humor when it comes to the neighborhood raccoons- who are
always looking for a swimming hole. |
5. Can we use wood stains
for baskets?
There are so many "real" basket dyes and stains out there now,
that you don't have to. Wood dyes will be much drier. But if you just
can't resist that thrifty streak, mix your old wood dye with boiled
linseed oil (No, don't boil the linseed oil.) and you'll have a
very decent stain that you can paint on, or pour over, or even spray on.
Ratio is up to the individual, but start with 2:1. Stain to Boiled Linseed
Oil. |
6. How do I know if I should use cane webbing or strand
cane for my chair seat?
A chair with a groove around the border uses pre-woven cane webbing with
spline to hold it in the groove. A chair with holes around the border uses
individual strands. |
7. How do I tell what size spline I need to order?
Spline is wedged-shaped to hold cane webbing in the groove. We sell 3
popular sizes. #7 is for 1/8" grooves, #8 for 3/16", and #9 for
1/4" grooves. Measure the top width of the groove. |
8. What is the difference between the standard and
heirloom D handles?
Standard D's have a strong double staple joinery and are made of solid
white oak. They're a great choice if you want to save a little money and
still get a high quality handle. They do need a little sanding.
The Heirloom D's have finger joinery and are made with solid red oak.
There are no nails and the handle is perfectly smooth. |
9. What is the difference between a
"sharp-top" D and a "tulip" D handle?
A sharp top D is wider at the base of the handle, whereas a tulip D handle
is narrower at the base of the handle. |
10. Is a "hoop" also called a
"handle"? Is it also a "rim"?
"Hoops" are round circles, so they are technically not
called "handles". They ARE, however, also referred to as
"rims". Rims can be any shape of enclosed hoop: round,
rectangular, oval.
The confusion comes when you order an 8" handle, thinking that you're
going to receive an 8" hoop. An 8" handle is open at the bottom-
like a notched or carved handle. |
Return to HOME page.
|
Click
here:
ENTER
ONLINE STORE to buy Basket Weaving items
