Birch Bark Basket
20 May 2015
The Swedes have long woven strips of birch bark into intricate ornamental baskets and lidded vessels. Native Americans used whole pieces to create bags and even stitched large pieces together to make canoes. Birch bark is a fascinating and versatile natural material that humans have been exploring and manipulating for centuries.
This Birch Bark Basket project takes a contemporary twist on Swedish traditional woven birch vessels. It uses larger sheets of bark in combination with simple dowels to create a clean, calm blend of Swedish and Japanese styles.
For the Birch Bark Containers with Cork Bases project, please click here.
YOU WILL NEED:
- Birch Bark
- Wooden dowel
- Speedy Stitcher (or similar awl)
- Waxed thread
- Knife (craft knife or carving knife)
- Scissors
- Cutting mat
- Printer
- Pen
IMPORTANT! Whenever working with a knife or sharp blade of any kind, wear protective eyewear and use caution. Knives are very useful but can be dangerous. If you choose to do this project with a child, please closely supervise him or her.
DOWNLOAD(S):
- template_birch_bark_basket_a3.pdf 277.9 KB
STEP ONE
The first thing to do is to peel the layers off the bark. As you do so, you'll reveal the beautiful colors of birch bark! Take a close look at the edge of the strip of bark and you will see the layers. Take the knife and carefully cut along the edge and peel the layers off, one by one. This example is peeled so that just one layer is visible. Since each tree's bark is unique, the thickness of each sheet will vary. The final thickness of the basket should be about 1 mm, so very gently continue to peel of layers until your piece is about pliable enough to bend into a basket shape.
IMPORTANT! Whenever working with a knife or sharp blade of any kind, wear protective eyewear and use caution. If you choose to do this project with a child, please closely supervise him or her.
IMPORTANT! Whenever working with a knife or sharp blade of any kind, wear protective eyewear and use caution. If you choose to do this project with a child, please closely supervise him or her.
STEP TWO
This basket is made out of one sheet of bark, with the sides folded up. The template is made to fit on 2 pieces of letter-size (A4) paper. Print the template and cut it along the outline. Fold as the crosshatch shows.
STEP THREE
Place the template on the sheet of bark. Make sure to put it over an even surface, without any hard and dried bark. Those parts of the bark are not flexible enough to bend. When you are happy about the position of the template, trace it with a pen.
STEP FOUR
Use a knife and a metal ruler to cut it out along the outline.
STEP FIVE
You can also use scissors for the thicker parts of the material. Scissors are a good choice if you don't have or do not want to use a knife.
STEP SIX
Cut the wooden dowel to the the length of the basket. You will need two dowels this length.
STEP SEVEN
Carefully fold the basket into its shape. This needs to be done slowly and gently. You'll notice how flexible the birch bark is, but be careful if the outer layer(s) begin to crack. If this does happen, no worries! Just peel anotehr layer of bark from your sheet and try again. Use a pen to mark where the stitches for the dowels should be. Make them so the they will be around 1/2 - 1" (1.5-2cm) from the top edge. IMPORTANT! The stitches must be sewn on DIAGONALLY over the dowel otherwise the thread will cut through the bark when tying the knot.
STEP EIGHT
Use a Speedy Stitcher or similar small awl to make the holes.
STEP NINE
Pull the tread through the holes with both ends inside the basket.
STEP TEN
Secure the dowels by making 2-3 knots and cut the thread. You're finished!