Basket Making by Olivia Elton Barratt
SKU: 127409048656

Basket Making

Author: Olivia Elton Barratt
Special Features: Hardcover

Young Adult Non-Fiction Crafts & Hobbies Sustainable Living Art & Culture Decorative Arts Basketry DIY Reference

Olivia Elton Barrrett’s 1992 hardcover “Basket Making” is the go-to reference that turns curious beginners into confident basket-makers. Written in clear, encouraging language, the book walks readers through every stage—from selecting and soaking natural rushes or canes to mastering classic weaves such as randing, slewing and waling. More than 200 sequential photographs and crisp line drawings show exactly how hands, tools and fibres should move, eliminating the guesswork that plagues most craft manuals. Because the instructions are graded by difficulty, young adults can start with a simple melon basket while adults progress to robust market hampers and delicate miniature display pieces, all with the same text.

What makes this copy especially appealing to collectors and practical crafters alike is its immaculate interior: pages are spotless, free of notes, dog-ears or library marks, and the signatures are still tight enough to lay flat while you work. The durable laminated hardcover shows only light shelf scuffing—testament to decades of careful storage—so the book can ride safely in a craft tote or sit proudly on an art-book shelf. Unlike later reprints, this 1992 edition retains the original full-size diagrams and colour plates that smaller printings often lose to gutter trimming.

Beyond technique, Barratt explores the cultural roots of basketry, showing how indigenous and contemporary makers adapt regional materials for both utility and art. A final gallery section demonstrates how to transform utilitarian objects into sculptural centrepieces, giving readers a bridge from traditional craft to modern decorative art. Whether you are a teacher sourcing classroom projects, a homesteader aiming for sustainable storage solutions, or a fibre artist seeking fresh inspiration, this well-preserved volume delivers timeless know-how in a single, inspiring package.

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