Coiled Baskets

Hello!

It has been a long time since my last blog entry. In the past 2 years I have been very busy teaching art, being a mama, and  finishing up my Master’s Degree in Education in Art Education. It is amazing how busy life can be and how quickly time passes!

For this entry I would like to talk about a project that I have taught to my 3D Design II class, which is made up primarily of juniors and seniors that meet everyday for 42 minute classes for the entire year. I believe that freshmen and sophomores could also be successful with this project, but due to time limitations I do it in 3D Design II instead. The project is entitled: Coiled Baskets inspired by: FORM.                                                                                                                                             

 

Objective: To design and create a coiled basket inspired by form using traditional coiling techniques.

Essential Question: How can I design and create a traditional coiled basket that has a unique form?

Time Frame: This project is the “year-long project.” Students will begin the project in first quarter and are expected to work on it consistently throughout the year when they finish a project early. It will be due at mid-quarter of fourth quarter.

Assessment: This project is formally assessed in two ways. Students will receive a 25 point progress check each quarter. At the completion of the project the coiled basket will be assessed at 100 points using the following criteria: design and composition, creativity, craftsmanship, and coiled basketry techniques (each assessed at 25 points with a rubric.)

Materials: Coiling Core, Masking Tape, Blunt Tapestry Needle, Yarn in a Variety of Colors, Sizes, and Textures, Scissors.

Sequence of Action:

1)      Introduce coiled basketry using PPT presentation in combination with class discussion. Show clips from CraftinAmerica.org on Mary Jackson (http://www.craftinamerica.org/shorts/mary-jackson-segment/) and Pat Courtney Gold (http://www.craftinamerica.org/shorts/pat-courtney-gold-segment/), two coiled basket artists from different parts of the country carrying out different traditions. Ask students to evaluate artwork via Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down responses. Generate class discussion to critique the artworks seen in the video clips.

2)     Explore form via thumbnail sketches. Demonstrate how to draw thumbnail sketches. Students create a minimum of 10 thumbnail sketches inspired by different forms.

3)      Demonstrate how to begin coiling using wrapping techniques. Start with the center to create the base. Not only do I need to teach students how to wrap the yarn around the center of the basket and around the coiling core, you also need to teach them how to anchor. One of the most common questions I get is, “When do I anchor?” To solve this problem, I have the students make a mark directly onto their coiling core every 1 inch, which acts as an indicator for anchoring. Students also need to learn how to attach more coiling core (tape it together with masking tape) and how to switch colors (pass the yarn underneath the wrap using the tapestry needle.)

4)      Demonstrate how to stack walls on top of base. When I do this I demonstrate how to figure 8 anchor (which hides the anchoring points) and how to anchor by wrapping around the coil below.  I also show students how the placement of the coils on top of each other as they are stacked can alter the form.

5)      Allow students to practice the coiling, anchoring, and stacking. Once they become confident in these basic practices, introduce how to add a handle(s), how to make a lid (don’t forget the flange), or how to add mixed media. Experimenting with form is important because it allows students to take creative risks and keeps the baskets from all looking the same.

6)      Demonstrate how to end the basket by cutting it on a downward diagonal and wrapping it until the stump is covered and secure.

 

        7)      Put on display! I like to save showcase space and hang mine for the HS Art Show!
 

Tips:

·         Make a packet with directions on “How to Coil.” Use clear photographs that demonstrate each step. Accompany each photograph with a caption explaining the step. Give each student a packet to keep for reference. Here is a coiled basket tutorial (https://snapguide.com/guides/start-a-coil-basket/) with clear directions and photos.

·         When beginning, tape the middle together with masking tape ahead of time. Wrapping a stationary middle is a lot easier than wrapping the coiling core and then anchoring it together. (See steps 7 and 8 in the link above.)

·         Organize an In-Progress Critique each quarter that gives students opportunities to self-assess their basket as well as provide positive and constructive feedback to their peers. This will also help hold them accountable for their coiled basket.

·         Try wrapping two or more colors of yarn at once!

·         Try wrapping yarn to create a design!

·         Try other wrapping materials other 
than yarn! Fabric strips, raffia, colored wire,
are just a few suggestions.  

·         Display by hanging! Showcase space is limited and fills up quickly. One trick I like to use is to take fishing line and tie it to the baskets. The baskets are lightweight and can be hung! This also keeps them out of reach.

·         If you run out of coiling core, (or if you don’t have any), you can use newspaper or plastic grocery bags that have been twisted tightly to create a core. You can also use clothesline.

·         I prefer ½” coiling core because it is thicker and therefore becomes bigger faster, but smaller coiling core would provide greater flexibility in forming different basket shapes.

·         Don’t do this project “all at once.” The first year I taught it we did it as a class project that we  started and finished in a few weeks. This was a mistake because students became bored with it when they had to work on it day after day after day. The second year I turned it into a year-long project and the students were much happier. This was reflected in their baskets which were much more successful! They were bigger in size and more ambitious in design and shape. In addition, students didn’t “burn out” from it because they were able to pace themselves.

 
I hope you found this
article helpful and inspiring!
Thank you for reading!
Happy Coiling!