Posts Tagged: large wicker basket

Basket Care / Repair — No Comments
30
Mar 10

How To Repair Your Wicker Basket

Repaired Basket

Having a collection of wicker items is great; you can display them anywhere in your home and they are very versatile as well. A wicker basket is especially useful to have around your home. It can be used as a laundry basket, a fruit basket, storing your stationary or your magazine collection, just to name a few. But what happens when your basket needs to be repaired? Repairing these baskets is easier than you think.

Wicker items are durable and will last for years if properly looked after. Whether you have a piece of furniture or a wicker basket, chances are they might need some minor repairs at some point. Wicker is a fiber made mainly from plant materials and sometimes plastic or twisted paper. It is weaved around a frame made out of aluminum, wood or plastic and the result is a light weight basket. To repair these baskets some weaving will be involved; you can buy a basket repair kit as well to make your job a little easier. To repair an area you will need to carefully select the matching material; sometimes it might not be available anymore, making your task a little more difficult. You will need a pair of side cutting pliers, a flat screwdriver and a soaking bucket. Soak the wicker overnight; you can also use warm water to speed up the process. This will soften the wicker, making sure it’s pliable. Cut out the damaged area that needs to be repaired. Carefully weave in the new pieces, using the screw driver to help part the wicker. When completed the newer piece might be slightly lighter than the rest; this can be corrected with a few coats of varnish.

If your wicker basket has been painted and you want to give it a fresh look again, you can easily do so. Use a liquid stripper to remove the old paint; no special liquid is necessary. The wicker will become somewhat soft when damp but will return to normal again as soon as it dries. Leave it to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. Use a spray can to paint your basket; it allows you to reach all the corners to ensure you don’t miss a spot. You can apply a clear lacquer as well to give it a polished look. Repairing your basket might be a bit time consuming, but the end result will be well worth it.

Function / History — No Comments
30
Mar 10

The Complete History of the Wicker Basket

Basket weaving is one of the oldest art forms known to man and even in our modern era they are one of the most useful, versatile and decorative items to own. A wicker basket is a popular item; they can be made by hand and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They have been around for centuries and weaving has become an art on its own. There are virtually unlimited ways of utilizing these baskets and they are a great addition to any home.

Wicker is a fiber that consists mainly of plant materials and sometimes twisted paper or plastic. Using a technique called ‘twining’ these fibers are weaved onto a solid frame made out of aluminum or wood to create a light weight basket. These baskets can be made into any shape or size and you can even use different colors to add some variety. Weaving these baskets is considered to be an art; but with some practice you will be able to create beautiful baskets. Caring for these baskets is fairly easy; you can use a damp cloth for any dirt and vacuum them to prevent dust from accumulating. Keep them away from damp conditions to prevent mold from settling in, making it hard to get rid of. A wicker basket can last for years when properly cared for, whether it is one of the many varieties of large or small wicker baskets. Wicker is also used to make all kinds of furniture and it looks great in any home. It can be used to make indoor and outdoor furniture and is considered cleaner since it won’t collect as much dust as normal materials used in other furniture.

The use of wicker to make furniture and baskets dates back as far as 3000 B.C. and it is believed that this started in the Egyptian era. The grasses along the Nile River were originally used and these items soon became very popular. It was introduced to America in the mid nineteenth century and since then quickly spread worldwide. As the demand for outdoor furniture grew throughout the centuries this became a popular item to own. Since then there have been an increase in the variety of wicker items made, including the wicker basket, which is a very popular item today because of its versatility and various sizes. Having any of these items in your home will provide added functionality and décor to any room; they also make great gifts for family or friends so it’s a must have for everyone.

Basket Care / Weaving — No Comments
30
Mar 10

How to Weave Your Own Wicker Basket

Having a picnic basket is very useful; they come in a variety of styles and shapes and they make your life much easier. If you have not added a basket to your household collection yet, why don’t you weave your own? It’s easier than you think. One of the nicest baskets to have is a wicker basket; you can easily choose your own style and weave it as well. Wicker is a fiber made out of plant materials or sometimes plastic. It has been around for centuries and is commonly used to make furniture or wicker baskets.

To weave your own wicker basket you will need to firstly make a strong frame. This is essential for any basket and you can do this by using various materials like wood or aluminum. You can build a normal round shape for your basket or choose your own creative style; play around with colors and different handles as well to add some variety. After you have constructed your frame you can begin weaving your basket. The fibers are woven around the frame until you have formed your flexible, lightweight basket. A popular technique to use when weaving is “twining”. This basically is when you twist two pieces of fiber halfway around the base, bringing the bottom part to the top and the top part to the bottom. You can use this technique continually when weaving and this will ensure that your basket is held together firmly. You can also moisten the fibers slightly when you weave; this will make the materials more flexible and when it dries it will shrink slightly, making the basket stronger. If you have mastered the skill of weaving you can easily make yourself a set of baskets and add to your creativity. Baskets should be regularly vacuumed and wiped clean with a damp cloth when needed. Try to avoid damp areas as mould easily accumulates on these baskets; making it difficult to get rid of. If properly looked after, your basket will last for many years.

As you can see, having your own wicker basket is a great item to own. You can have a set of baskets as well, including different sizes or even various colors. And if you have woven them yourself you will always be proud of the lovely additions you have added to your home. Baskets can be used for almost anything; from laundry to storage space and of course your picnic food.

Recently searched items:

  • how to weave storage Baskets
  • how to weave wicker basket rim
← Older Entries
Contact - Privacy Policy