Basketry Basic Series
Instructor: Julia Verba
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Luray United Methodist Church, 1 W Main St, Luray, VA 22835. Classes are held in the fellowship hall, signs will guide you.
About the Series: Saturday Classes
These classes are designed in a series to teach the fundamentals of basket weaving and best practices for making finished baskets look professional. It is recommended to take each class in sequence as each one builds upon the skills learned in the one before. However, don’t worry if you can’t take them all. You can jump in anywhere and still have a successful experience, though you will have an easier time with later baskets in the series if you take at least one of the first three.
The fee includes instruction, materials, snacks, beverages, and facility usage.
What to bring: Please bring a brown bag lunch. If you have basketry tools, bring them. If not, some basket tools will be available for use. Bring these items found around the house: strong clothespins, sharp scissors or shears, small flat-head screwdriver and/or awl, flexible tape measure, pencil, bucket, spray bottle and an old hand towel that will get color on it. Wear old clothes or bring an apron.
Bonus Field Trip: At the end of 6 classes, participants may think they have learned all there is to know about basket weaving?! Think again! After class, the group will caravan to River’s Bend Ranch (about 20 minutes from the church) together to visit the Intermediate-to-Advanced weavers studying with master weaver, Anne Bowers. Be prepared to be amazed and inspired by creations and examples - so many more skills to learn and woven forms to explore!
About the Instructor
Julia Verba started weaving in Des Moines, IA at an Adult Education class in November 1995. She has since studied with some of the best instructors in the country learning techniques and perfecting methods that will be taught during her beginning basketry classes.
Julia is co-owner of Shenandoah CREATES! Specializing in master weaving retreats, Shenandoah CREATES focuses on intermediate to advanced level opportunities. Julia understands and appreciates that the journey has a beginning and will be sharing her passion for basketry by starting with the fundamentals. Her instruction will lead to bigger and more complex projects. Her hope is to inspire students to continue on the weaving path, as she did so many years ago!
Along with her assistants, Layne Vickers and Donna Whisler, Julia will guide you through the basics of basketry with fun and laughs along the way!
This series is for adults - ages 18 and older.
Julia also has a passion for music and has created a Shenandoah CREATES playlist themed after her Summer Series. Take a listen by hitting the button below!
Six Saturday Classes
Saturday - June 22, 2024
Do Re Mi $45
10 ½” L x 4 ¼ “ W x 3 ½” H
Do you remember these lyrics from “The Sound of Music”?
“Let's start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
When you read you begin with A B C
When you sing you begin with Do Re Mi”
This basket is a good place to start your basket weaving journey and a great way to impress folks when they are served in a basket you created.
Skills Learned: Working with reed (rattan), weaving an open base, twining around the base, basic hand shaping, basic start and stop weave, simple flat rim, lashing /hiding the lasher ends … And more!
Saturday - July 13, 2024
Here Comes The Sun $58
12 ½” L x 8” W x 6 ½” H
Think of the colors at sunrise or sunset and let your imagination run wild with color on this lovely market basket. Learn to control shaping as you weave around a wooden D-handle and use twining as a decorative element.
New Skills: Incorporating a wooden handle into your basket, twining as a decorative element, scarfing a flat oval rim, X lashing over the handle.
Saturday - August 3, 2024
I Get Around: $49
8” diameter X 4 ¼” H
Learn how to lay out a round base and shape it with straight sides. Use cane to add a crisscross design element. This is a perfect size for muffins or rolls!
New Skills (other than mentioned previously): Weaving a round base, adding a 4-rod locking row to the base to give it a professional and stable foot to sit on, working with cane, crisscross design.
Saturday - September 21, 2024
Twill You Still Love Me Tomorrow: $49
9” diameter X 8” H
Tired of over 1, under 1 weaving? It’s time to step things up and learn a twill design. This round basket starts with a square base - magic! You will also learn a quicker “advanced beginner” method for laying out a base.
New Skills (other than mentioned previously): Twill weave, shaping square to round, quick method for laying out a base.
Saturday - October 5, 2024
Hey Jude: $65
6 1/2” W X 12 1/2” L X 9 ½” H (without handles)
This basket was designed when Julia’s friend, Judy, tore her quad muscles and needed to carry things hands-free. Weave with navy weavers and add sweet little rustic hearts accents. This handy tote can carry books, music, knitting - perfect for the farmers market visit!
New Skills (other than those previously mentioned): Weaving a filled base, “chicken-feet” (it’s more than a dance move!), double-lashing the rim, incorporating shaker tape handles. Learn how to use spacers and add the handles after staining the basket.
Saturday - October 19, 2024
Voulez-Vous (with bonus “field trip”): $65
6 1/2” W X 18.5 1/2” L X 3 ½” H (without handle, 10” H including handle)
“Voulez-Vous” (French) means “do you want?”. Do you want to learn to weave a beautiful 3-rod arrow design? Do you want a long basket to hold French bread or a lovely gift in time for Christmas? This is the class for you!
New Skills (other than mentioned previously): Controlling the shape of a longer basket, 3-rod arrow design.
Day Class rate based on project ( $45- $65). Rates includes instruction, materials, snack, beverages and facility use.
Saturdays: June 22nd, July 13th, August 3rd, September 21st, October 5th & 19th
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Each class is designed to build upon skills learned in the prior class, but you may choose to do any or all that fits your schedule.
Luray United Methodist Church; 1 West Main Street, Luray, VA 22835
Classes will be held in the fellowship hall. Parking is available on the street or in parking areas across the street.
