Mary Lyon, host of DIY Crafts, shows how to weave a basket from palm inflorescences. Materials:
Palm inflorescences
Water
Container for soaking palm inflorescences
Waxed linen or upholstery thread
Large-eye needle
- Soak the palm inflorescences in water until they are soft enough to work with.
- Place several strands of palm inflorescences next to each other. Start at the root end, and make a coil into a tight circle. Wrap the coil with waxed linen or upholstery thread to hold the palm in place (figure A).
- Thread the wrapping thread through a large-eye needle. Continue coiling the palm inflorescences in a circle to form the bottom of the basket, stitching the coil to the previous one with the wrapping thread. The needle is helpful for getting between the palms. Continue until you have reached the desired size of the bottom of the basket (figure B).
- Start forming the sides of the basket by stacking the palms on top of the previous coil and securing with the wrapping thread. To add palms, join them in line with previous palms and secure with the wrapping thread (figure C).
- Add a handle to the basket, if desired, using the same wrapping method.
- If palm inflorescences aren't available, use reeds or dried grasses or order materials from suppliers.
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