There are only a handful of different techniques used to construct the base of a basket. The wooden-bottom base combines the technique of a plaited base with a little carpentry. In this tutorial, I’m weaving the base of a Utensil Basket, which calls for two 5” squares of plywood. However, you can use these steps to assemble a wooden base of any size by adjusting your basic measurements.
Step 1: Get the horizontal and vertical stakes soaking for several minutes in warm water.
Step 2: Identify the rough sides of the stakes. You can do this by bending the weaver over to see which side splinters. The splintered side is the rough side.
On this base, you want to place the rough sides down rather than face-up. This cuts out the unnecessary step of flipping the base over and making a mess with the glue.
Step 3: Mark the center and correct dimensions for the base. For the Utensil Basket, I marked the smooth side of the stake at 0”, 2.5”, and 5” to indicate the left, center, and right measurement.
Because this basket is a square, I repeated those marks on a total of six stakes to measure the depth and width of the base. This is how I laid out the horizontal pieces.
Step 4: Weave the base according to the specific instructions in your pattern. (I.E., lift dds, weave two stakes to the right and two to the left, etc…)
Step 5: Square up your base to meet the exact measurements of the plywood base.
Step 6: Identify the right and wrong sides of the plywood. The “wrong” sides include any discolorations or damages. The kits from our shop will have the edges of the “right” sides slightly sanded down to create a beveled look. The wrong sides will be glued together to leave the right sides showing on the top and bottom of the base.
In the photo above, the wrong side is on top and the right side is the bottom piece of plywood.
Step 7: Apply wood glue to the wrong sides of the plywood.
Keep an inch or so away from the edge of the plywood to avoid glue leaking out once the pieces are sandwiched together.
Step 8: Align one of the base pieces underneath the woven stakes. Adjust the stakes to meet the edges of the plywood.
Step 9: Place the second base piece on top of the woven stakes.
Square all three pieces (Bottom plywood, woven base, and top plywood) to be flush with each other.
Step 10: Using ¾” wire nails, secure the base by nailing each corner.
Helpful Hint! We use a piece of scrap wood underneath the base so we don’t nail it to the counter… :/
Step 11: Flip the base over.
Pound each nail towards the corners to mimic the look of a staple.
Step 12: Weave the locking row, and you’re done!
It’s useful to have the extra stability provided by a wooden-bottom base.
Nice work adding another technique to your weaving skill set.
