Miniatures and dollshouses : wicker and basket making

Techniques

Basket making

Basket making and wickers

Traditionelle basket making at 1/1 scale is made of wicker (or cane for more facility) and is composed of the bottom, uprights vertical, horizontal strands and border.

At 1/12 scale , the horizontal strands can be replaced by fine string or linen thread and the stem by paper covered wire or other rigid and flexible twig.

Basic braiding points
- 1 - Simple
- 2 - Double
- 3

- 4 - Torch or cord (to reinforce or for a decorative relief): with 3 strands, 4 strands 2/2 or 4 strands 1/3.
- 5 - Weaving 2 by 2 or 3 by 3.

I made all braiding in dyed kitchen string.

With double point one can work with an even number of stems.

Round bottom baskets

1 - Traditional starting with 7 or 8 crossed stems.

Here the stems are made from wire covered with a band of kraft paper, it is more flexible.

Crossed with 9 stems for an oval bottom

rectangular bottom

2 - Flat-bottomed basket

- Starting from a flat bottom.
The stems are fixed in holes in a wooden bottom.

- Or starting bottomless, insert the stems in a small bit of foamboard (the crocheted round bottom is stuck at the end)

(Here the stem are out of fine cane)

The traditional edge would be too difficult at 1/12 scale, here it is made with a chain, a braid or a twist.

Rectangular basket

A method for starting without drilling 20 or 30 holes in the wooden bottom.

Here, the stems are from florist wire that I painted in brown.

a - Insert the stems in a bit of foamboard.
b - Make some rows in double point (with 2 strand it is possible to work with a even number of stems).
If required, make an openwork with a paper band, and put a little of glue on the first and on the last but one rows.

c - On top : cut right or glue an edge.
On bottom, stick a chain or a braid for a clear completion.

d - Fill the bottom by sticking a balsa rectangle or a crocheted rectangle .

Suitcase with the same method.

Armchairs : a little more difficult.

Weaving in fine string dyes and stems from wire covered with brown paper, for a well bent form. Combination of openworks and other points.

preceding technique

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