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Group basketry workshop with people weaving cattail leaves at wooden tables in natural light

In-Person and Online Cattail Basketry Workshops

Hands-on instruction for harvesting, preparing, and weaving cattail leaves into functional baskets and mats

I teach cattail basketry through seasonal workshops that follow the natural rhythm of the marsh. Beginners learn the basic coil. Experienced weavers explore pattern, form, and the subtle variations that make each basket unique. Every session connects your hands to material harvested from local wetlands.
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Workshop Offerings

Classes designed around the cattail season, from first harvest to finished basket. Each level builds on the last, and every participant leaves with something they made themselves.

Beginner Fundamentals

I introduce the complete cycle from marsh to basket. You learn to identify harvest-ready cattails, gather leaves legally and sustainably, dry them properly, and weave your first simple coil basket. No prior experience is required. By the end of the session, you understand the material and have completed a small gathering bowl.
  • Seasonal harvesting walk
  • Material preparation demo
  • Basic coiling technique
  • First finished basket
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Seasonal Harvesting

We meet at the marsh during peak gathering season. I demonstrate selective cutting, teach you to read wetland conditions, and explain how weather and water levels affect leaf quality. You take home a personal bundle of prepared material and the knowledge to gather independently throughout the season.
  • Wetland ecology basics
  • Legal permit guidance
  • Proper cutting technique
  • Bundle preparation
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Intermediate Patterns

For those comfortable with basic coiling, I teach structural variations including shaped walls, fitted lids, and integrated handles. We work with stored material so the focus stays on technique rather than gathering. You leave with a more complex piece and a pattern you can repeat at home.
  • Wall shaping methods
  • Lid construction
  • Handle integration
  • Repeatable patterns
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Project-Based Classes

Each session centers on a specific object: a market basket, a storage vessel, a flat mat, or a wall hanging. I guide you from material selection through completion, addressing the particular challenges each form presents. These classes suit weavers who want to build a cohesive collection of useful pieces.
  • Form-specific instruction
  • Material matching
  • Problem-solving focus
  • Completed project
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From arrival to finished piece

What to Expect in a Workshop

Step by step basketry process from preparing cattail leaves to finished woven basket

Arrival and Material Prep

I provide all tools and prepared cattail leaves so you begin weaving within the first hour.

When you arrive, I hand you a simple knife, an awl, and a bundle of leaves I harvested and dried in the previous season. I demonstrate how to test flexibility, trim damaged sections, and arrange your workspace for efficient movement. Within thirty minutes, your hands are in the material.

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Core practice

Guided Weaving Session

I demonstrate each movement, then circulate to correct tension, answer questions, and keep you progressing.

I work alongside you, showing the coil, the stitch, and the rhythm that makes weaving meditative rather than frustrating. When your tension drifts or your shape collapses, I catch it early and guide you back. The room fills with quiet focus and occasional laughter at shared mistakes.

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Complete

Finishing and Next Steps

We complete final stitches, discuss care, and I send you home with material for your next independent project.

In the final hour, I teach you to tuck ends cleanly, trim excess, and let the basket rest before use. I explain how humidity affects finished pieces and how to refresh stored leaves for future weaving. You leave with your basket, a small bundle of material, and a clear sense of what comes next.

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Upcoming Gatherings

Seasonal workshops, community weaving circles, and harvesting walks scheduled throughout the year. Each event connects you to the material, the technique, and other makers who share your curiosity.
Harvesting

Spring Harvest Walk

Join me at a local wetland to identify, gather, and prepare your first bundle of cattail leaves for the weaving season ahead. I cover legal harvesting, selective cutting, and proper bundling technique. You take home material and knowledge for independent gathering throughout spring and early summer.

Person harvesting cattail leaves in a spring wetland marsh landscape
25 Expected
5/5
Community

Autumn Weaving Circle

A relaxed evening session for all skill levels. Beginners start their first coil. Experienced weavers bring works in progress for focused time and community feedback. I provide material, tools, and guidance. The emphasis is on steady progress and shared quiet rather than rushing to completion.

Evening weaving circle with group working on cattail baskets in warm indoor light
18 Expected
5/5
Project Class

Winter Storage Vessel Intensive

A full-day workshop focused on building a lidded storage basket from dried material. We cover wall shaping, fitted lid construction, and finishing techniques that create a piece both beautiful and functional. Previous coiling experience is recommended but not required.

Completed lidded cattail storage basket with detailed weaving in soft light
12 Expected
4/5

Workshop Questions

What should I bring?

I provide all tools, prepared cattail leaves, and written reference materials. You need only comfortable clothing and patience. A notebook is optional but useful for recording observations.

Are workshops suitable for children?

Children aged ten and older can participate with an accompanying adult. Younger children often lack the hand strength and attention span for sustained coiling. Family sessions are available by arrangement.

Is prior experience required?

Beginner workshops assume no prior knowledge. Intermediate and project classes recommend basic coiling familiarity, though I review fundamentals at the start of every session.

What physical demands are involved?

Weaving requires sustained hand dexterity and comfortable seated posture. Standing harvesting walks cover uneven wetland ground for approximately one hour. I accommodate participants who need modified seating or adjusted pacing.

Can I take my project home?

You always take home whatever you complete during the session, plus a small bundle of prepared material for independent practice. Most beginners finish a small bowl or mat in their first workshop.

What if I cannot finish in time?

I provide written instructions and material so you can continue at home. Many weavers prefer this, as the rhythm of independent practice deepens skill faster than any single session allows.

Are online workshops available?

I offer live online sessions for technique demonstration and project guidance. Participants source their own material locally, and I provide detailed preparation instructions in advance.

How do I register?

Use the contact form to express interest in a specific workshop. I respond with available dates, location details, and preparation instructions. Registration confirms upon reply.

  • HM
  • JO
  • YT
4.8 Average workshop rating

Ready to weave your first cattail basket?

Seasonal workshops connect you to the material, the technique, and a community of makers who find calm in the coil. Every session sends you home with a finished piece and the knowledge to continue.

Hands-on learning

I limit each gathering to ensure individual attention. You receive direct feedback on tension, stitch placement, and form. The small group format creates space for questions, mistakes, and the breakthrough moments that turn curiosity into skill.

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Close-up of hands weaving cattail leaves during a workshop in warm lighting

Workshops

12 per year

Join a community of makers learning ancient techniques

I have guided hundreds of beginners through their first coil and watched experienced weavers discover new possibilities in familiar material. Every workshop leaves me more certain that this craft deserves to survive.

Spaces fill according to seasonal demand. Register early to secure your preferred session.

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