Course Description

'Mollie was a great teacher - calm and patient. I felt like we achieved a lot in the time without being rushed'

At a glance, this course:

• keeps traditional skills alive
• uses natural sustainable materials
• supports people's wellbeing

About the course

On this willow weaving workshop in the heart of the South Downs National Park, join Mollie to make an attractive and sturdy support for your climbing plants from locally-harvested willow grown at The Sustainability Centre. With its spiral weave and height, it will be a lovely sculptural addition to your beds, as well as providing a frame for your plants to grow up.

You will also weave a small relaxing project, making a beautiful dragonfly for decoration in your garden or home.

The course will give you:

• the ability to make an obelisk and sculpture from willow
• knowledge on how to select suitable materials
• understanding of how to grade, dry, store and soak willow
• knowledge about the ecological credentials of willow

This course is suitable for:

Beginners and those wanting to practise their weaving skills. Weaving does require some strength and manual dexterity. Please check with the courses team before booking if you have any mobility concerns at courses@sustainability-centre.org.

What to bring:

• clothes you are happy to work in
• sharp secateurs if wished, but all tools are provided
• this course will take place in a covered outdoor space
• a packed lunch or lunch can be purchased from the onsite Beech Café

Cancellations, refunds, and bursaries:

Read the full Adult Courses Cancellations and Refunds Policy and Courses Bursary Fund Information.

About the tutor

Mollie’s basketry story started in the woods in West Sussex, where she trained to be a bushcraft instructor.  Around the open fire, she first learned to use tree barks to make pouches and vessels.  From that moment, weaving bark and plant fibres has been an integral part of her personal and working life.

Mollie has been teaching basketry for over 15 years, from her own studio and for many other establishments and organisations, including City Lit College in London.  She is proudly a Yeoman Basket Maker of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers.  Mollie weaves in willow, rush, bark and many mixed plant materials and weaves a wide range of projects and commissions from interior lighting, fencing, coffins and of course, plant fibre baskets. | ​@molliemcmillen_basketmaker