Sussex Trug

Tuesday 22nd  -  10am-4pm

Wednesday 23rd  -  10am-4pm

Thursday 24th  -  10am-4pm

This 3-day course is suitable for beginners with little or no basket-making experience. A reasonable amount of hand strength is required.  This is a robust, elegant basket.

Make your very own Sussex Trug using traditional tools and techniques. You will learn how to cleave shave and shape sweet chestnut to form the handle and rim of this traditional Sussex basket. Boards of white willow then need to be shaped, shaved and soaked before finally constructing the basket using steel tacks. Skills learnt include use of a shave horse and drawknife, cleaving with a froe and steam bending using jigs.

• Cleave and shave sweet chestnut.
• Shape & soak white willow to form the boards
• Use jigs to form the handle
• Fit and nail to secure

Course Tutor: Dominic Parrette

Dominic is a Sussex based basketmaker, willow grower and teacher specialising in traditional frame baskets, woven willow forms and beautiful, strong plant supports.  Dominic sources his willow, sweet chestnut, and hazel from local coppice and is committed to sustainable woodland management. Dominic makes woven products for small gardens and allotments as well as taking on commissions for clients such as garden and interior designers and larger organisations such as The National Trust and Kew at Wakehurst.  Dominic is a member of the Basketmakers Association and the Heritage Crafts Association. “My basketry is grounded in traditional British and European techniques which create beauty in form and function”.