Basketry Honor

Arts & Crafts

Requirements

1. Present to the examiner (in writing or orally) a paper on 2 countries where rush grows.

   Answer: Paper on 2 countries where rush grows: 1) China - the world's largest producer of rush (Juncus effusus), traditionally used in handicrafts, mats (tatami), baskets and in traditional medicine; it grows in flooded areas and has been cultivated for millennia. 2) Egypt - the cradle of papyrus rush (Cyperus papyrus), a plant of the banks of the Nile River used in antiquity to make papyrus (a writing surface), baskets, mats, sandals and even light boats. Other countries with a rush tradition: Japan, Thailand, the Philippines and England. Each region has species adapted to marshes and wetlands, with a long tradition of use in basketry. — Rush = plants of flooded zones. China: the largest cultivation, exports woven rush and handicrafts. Main species Juncus effusus, flexible stems. Cultivation in artificial marshes. Egypt: papyrus of the Nile (Cyperus papyrus), a sacred pharaonic plant, used for papyrus (the precursor of paper) between 3000 BC and 800 AD. Today cultivated for tourism and handicrafts. Brazil: cattail (Typha) as a rush substitute. Other species: Eleocharis, Schoenoplectus. Importance: flooded ecosystems (natural filtering). Sustainable cultivation: does not degrade the soil.

2. Explain how to treat rush before weaving.

   Answer: 1) Harvest mature stems (in summer), remove the leaves. 2) Dry in the shade for 2-4 weeks in a ventilated place to avoid mold. 3) Before use, soak in warm water for 15-30 minutes to hydrate and make flexible. 4) Keep moist during weaving, spraying with water. 5) Very thick stems should be split lengthwise. 6) Once finished, let it dry to set the shape. — Essential treatment. Harvest: mature rush (yellowish color), cut close to the base with a sickle. Drying: in the shade (direct sun dries it out too much); hang in small bundles. 2-4 weeks until a uniform color. Hydration: prior soaking is mandatory — dry rush breaks when bent. Time: depends on the thickness (15 min for thin ones, 30 min for thick ones). Maintaining moisture: a sprayer during the work. Splitting: stems >5 mm divided with a knife to even out the size. Final drying: the finished piece dries in the shade to set the curves.

3. Know other types of plant fibers that can be used in basketry and that are common in your region.

   Answer: Brazil: cattail (Typha), philodendron vine, banana-tree fiber, carnauba straw, buriti, tucum, sisal, caroá and corn husk. Each region has its traditional fibers: the Northeast uses carnauba and buriti; the North uses Amazonian vines; the South uses taquara bamboo and bamboo. Fibers should be flexible after hydration, with a good length. — Diversity of native fibers. Cattail (Typha domingensis): a Brazilian aquatic plant, long leaves after drying. Philodendron vine (Philodendron): an Amazonian climber. Buriti: the cerrado's 'tree of life', fiber from the young shoot. Carnauba: the Northeast's 'wax of life'. Sisal: a fibrous agave, a Brazilian export. Tucum: an Amazonian palm. Bamboo: split into strips. Caroá (Neoglaziovia): a bromeliad of the backcountry. Each fiber requires specific treatment (boiling, peeling, drying). Traditional ethnobotanical knowledge is important for local sustainability.

4. What tools would you use to:
   • Make reed baskets?
   • Make raffia baskets?

   Answer: 1) To make rush baskets: pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut the stems, a bucket or basin to hydrate the fibers, an awl or bodkin to open space and pass the fiber between the stakes, a thick needle, tweezers, pliers for bending and a damp cloth to keep them flexible. A ruler and pencil for marking, molding forms (cans, upturned buckets) and a beater/comb to press the weave evenly are also useful. 2) To make raffia baskets: scissors, a thick sewing needle (straight or curved) to sew the fiber, a water sprayer and a support board. A ruler and pencil for marking, molding forms and a beater/comb also help to press the weave evenly. — Basic tools. Scissors or knife: cut fibers to size. Awl: a pointed instrument to open paths between already-woven fibers (essential for splices). Thick needle: pass a thin fiber under others. Tweezers: adjust the tension. Damp cloth: keep the work moist. Raffia (Raphia farinifera): an African palm, a delicate fiber — a curved needle makes curves easier. Sprayer: continuous hydration. Form: gives the contour (an upturned bowl becomes a template). Comb: presses the weave, important in heavy baskets. Traditional artisanal tools.

5. Define:
   • Singed weaving
   • Flattening

   Answer: 1) Singeing: a finish in which the loose fibers and little hairs that stick out of the finished basket are lightly burned (singed) in the flame, leaving the surface smooth, clean and uniform in appearance. 2) Flattening: the process of pressing/flattening the material (rush, wicker or straw) to make it flat and flexible before or during weaving, making the interlacing easier and giving the piece a more uniform finish. — Mastering these terms and techniques ensures firmer baskets with a better finish.

6. Explain how to:
   • Repair a broken stake on the weaving wheel
   • Splice the reed.

   Answer: 1) Repair a broken stake on the weaving frame: cut the damaged piece diagonally (a bevel), insert a new stake also cut diagonally, overlapping the two ends by about 3 to 5 cm, and fix them with wood glue or a discreet binding. Continue weaving normally over the splice. Keep the material moist during the process to avoid new breaks. 2) Splice the rush: cut the ends with opposing bevels (one in each direction), overlap by 4 to 5 cm and continue weaving while keeping the tension, hiding the tip of the splice under the next round so it does not show. Keep the rush moist throughout the process so it stays flexible and does not crack. — Essential repairs. Stake: the vertical 'rib' of the basket, holds the shape. Breakage occurs from dryness or tension. Solution: a diagonal cut (increases the contact area), reinforcement with non-toxic white PVA glue or a binding with the same fiber. Invisible splice: opposing bevels means one tip cut "upward" and the other "downward", fitted together. The next round of the weave holds the splice. Constant tension = uniform work. Moisture: a sprayer every 30 min. Failures from moisture: fibers break when too dry, become limp when too wet.

7. Name 2 types of bases used in baskets and specify in which type of basket each base can be used.

   Answer: 1) Round spiral base: radial stakes starting from a central cross, used in round baskets (fruit, bread). 2) Flat-bottom base (slath): parallel stakes like slats, used in rectangular baskets (shopping). Others: oval (flowers) and octagonal (decorative). The base defines the shape and stability of the basket. — Structural bases. Round base: starts with a cross of 8 stakes that open out in the shape of rays. Spiral weave on top (textures: simple, double, French). Baskets: bowls, fruit bowls, decorative pots. Flat base (slath or board): parallel stakes like slats, crossed by a transverse weave. Baskets: square, rectangular (shopping baskets, hampers). Oval: elongated, suits flowers and long breads. Octagonal: decorative, complex. Stability depends on a well-made base: if the base is slanted, the basket is crooked. Fundamental work.

8. Describe how to make:
   • A double weave
   • A triple spoke trim

   Answer: 1) A double weave: use two fibers (weavers) at the same time, passing them alternately over and under the stakes. The two fibers cross each other at each stake, creating a denser, more closed and stronger pattern. Keep the tension uniform and mark the starting point to close the cycle in the same place. 2) A three-rod waling: use three fibers working in sequence; each fiber passes over two stakes and under one, and on each round the back fiber comes to the front, forming an interlaced spiral weave (a decorative rope/cord effect) that also reinforces the border. Keep the tension uniform and close the cycle at the starting point. — Weaving techniques. Double weave (pairing weave): 2 fibers give greater thickness and firmness, more resistant basket walls. Each fiber passes in an alternating sequence — one over, the other under, alternating. Three-rod waling: 3 fibers create a characteristic diagonal pattern — each pass moves 2 stakes forward and 1 back. Application: reinforcement between sections, the base of heavy baskets, corners. Important: constant tension (loose opens holes, tight deforms). Starting and finishing at the same point closes the work.

9. Make a tray for snacks, with a wooden base.

   Answer: 1) Cut a wooden base (plywood 30x20 cm). 2) Drill spaced holes (1 cm) around it to insert the stakes. 3) Insert the vertical stakes into the holes with glue. 4) Weave a rush wall (~5 cm high) over the stakes. 5) Finish the border with a three-rod waling. 6) Cut the excess stakes and fold them inward. 7) Sand and apply protective varnish to the wood. — Integrated project. Wooden base: gives rigidity and durability — 6 mm plywood is ideal. Holes: a 4 mm drill bit, 2 cm spacing. Stakes: thick rush, 15 cm long (5 cm inside the hole + 10 cm for the wall). Non-toxic white PVA glue fixes them. Weave: simple or double. Border: a three-rod waling finishes it visually. Finishing: clear matte varnish over the wood protects against moisture. Functional for serving snacks at Pathfinders. Variation: side handles with reinforced fiber.

10. Make some simple object with a woven base.

    Answer: Suggestion: a round catch-all holder. 1) Weave a round spiral base (8 stakes in a cross, 15 cm). 2) Raise the stakes to form the walls (5-7 cm high). 3) Weave the walls with a simple or double fiber. 4) Finish the border with a simple knot or waling. 5) Cut the excess stakes. 6) Hydrate as needed. Other options: a saucer, a coaster, a small vase. — An initial project for beginners. The round spiral base is the fundamental technique — mastering it allows you to make larger baskets. Materials: rush, raffia or cattail. The 15 cm size: ideal for practice (not too big for a beginner). Walls: 5-7 cm give practical depth. The simple weave (over/under) is the easiest. Border: a packing knot or a final waling. Finishing: dry well, optionally paint with natural dye. Average time: 2-3 hours. An excellent teaching project to show the basic steps of basketry.

11. Make a round trivet, 15 centimeters in diameter, of raffia or similar.

    Answer: 1) Cut 30 cm of hydrated raffia as the central core. 2) Wrap thin fibers in a spiral around it forming a 15 cm circle. 3) Sew the rounds together with a thick needle, keeping the shape flat. 4) Increase the diameter with each round. 5) Finish with an invisible stitch. 6) Cut the excess. Result: a firm trivet, a heat insulator, decorative. Wash by hand when dirty. — Coiled basketry technique. Central core: a bundle of fibers provides volume and firmness. Coil: each turn is sewn to the previous one. A curved needle makes sewing easier. Raffia (Raphia farinifera): a Madagascar palm, with thin and flexible fiber. Substitutes: rush, banana-leaf straw. The figure-eight stitch or simple alternating stitch can be used. Size is controlled by the number of turns. Application: trivets, coasters, charger plates, hot-pan holders. A natural insulating material (straw does not conduct heat). A clean finish is essential.