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Craft

Woven Paper Basket

Photograph showing a completed woven paper basket
Source

The Haida were skilled weavers. They used cedar bark and spruce roots to weave mats, capes, baskets, ropes and hats. Baskets were used for cooking, carrying, and gathering. Haida baskets held many items, such as water, seaweed, clams and berries.

Materials

  • construction paper (any colour)
  • scissors
  • ruler
  • pencil
  • tape or glue

Instructions

Photograph showing materials required for woven paper basket
Source		   Photograph showing step 1 of how to make a woven paper basket
Source
Materials needed for woven paper basket.   Step 1. Cut 18 paper strips, 1 inch wide and 17 inches long. Strips can either be one or two colours. Lay 5 paper strips out vertically and parallel to each other.

Photograph showing step 2 of how to make a woven paper basket
Source		   Photograph showing step 3 of how to make a woven paper basket
Source
Step 2. Take another paper strip and weave it over and under the 5 strips. Try to keep the strips close together so the weave is tight.   Step 3. Continue weaving the strips until you have 5 strips woven through, creating a square with a checkerboard pattern.

Photograph showing step 4 of how to make a woven paper basket
Source		   Photograph showing step 5 of how to make a woven paper basket
Source
Step 4. Fold the strips up on all four sides to form the sides of the basket. Use a ruler to make a sharp crease.   Step 5. Glue two strips together to make a long strip. Weave this strip to start the sides of the basket. Fold and glue the strip at each corner to make a nice square shape. When you have finished the first row, cut off the leftover piece of the strip and glue the ends together at the corner. Continue to weave the other strips until you have a basket that's four rows high.

Photograph showing step 6 of how to make a woven paper basket
Source		   Photograph showing a completed woven paper basket
Source
Step 6. Glue all the strips around the top row and trim the strips to make an even edge on all four sides.   Finished basket.


Proactive Disclosure
Created: 2005-01-13
Updated: 2005-01-13
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