Weaving with a Wooden-Bottom Base Tutorial

Posted by Joanna on 5 Comments

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.

Soak the stakes

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.

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.

Mark the dimensions

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.

Horizontal stakes

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…)

Weaving the base

Step 5: Square up your base to meet the exact measurements of the plywood base.

Square up the 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.

Right and wrong sides

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.

Wood glue

Keep an inch or so away from the edge of the plywood to avoid glue leaking out once the pieces are sandwiched together.

Glued plywood

Step 8: Align one of the base pieces underneath the woven stakes. Adjust the stakes to meet the edges of the plywood.

Plywood on bottom

Step 9: Place the second base piece on top of the woven stakes.

Plywood on top

Square all three pieces (Bottom plywood, woven base, and top plywood) to be flush with each other.

Square all together

Step 10: Using ¾” wire nails, secure the base by nailing each corner.

Wire nails

Helpful Hint! We use a piece of scrap wood underneath the base so we don’t nail it to the counter… :/

Scrap wood

Step 11: Flip the base over.

Flipped over

Pound each nail towards the corners to mimic the look of a staple.

Staples

Step 12: Weave the locking row, and you’re done!

Finished with the locking row

It’s useful to have the extra stability provided by a wooden-bottom base.

Finished base

Nice work adding another technique to your weaving skill set.

Recent Comments

I have never seen this type of wooden base.  It looks like it replaces the need to router the base.  Is this you original idea?

Dee Grinenko 09/06/17

We started making our own wooden bases out of necessity as we didn’t have anyone who could route bases for us.  The size, shape and/or dimensions of the bases that WERE available for purchase didn’t always meet our specific basket needs ... in addition to the fact that they are rather costly.  So, once again, the mother of invention took flight and we came up with the double plywood base design.  We’ve cut, sanded, glued and tacked literally hundreds of them this year alone.  We love using them!

Joanna 09/06/17

What a great idea. Sometimes purchased bases gets too costly.

Pam 09/07/17

Thanks so much for this tutorial!  I’ve used wooden bases like this for your patterns and just guessed!  Got it pretty right except for the glue.  I like to peg the corners with a wooden dowel.

Anne McFadyen 09/07/17

I believe old OLD Nantucket baskets used to be made with a double base like this.  Thanks so much for your tutorial!

Anette Meier 09/08/17

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