Miniature and dollhouse scale baskets can be highly collectible especially if they are woven using traditional basket weaving techniques. You need very few materials, and there are a range of basketweaving systems which adapt well to different working styles. If you want to explore miniature basketry, make sure you use instructions that use the same terms and methods as full size baskets, so you will be able to easily transfer your skills across.
Proper wickerwork is not any more difficult than many simplified methods shown for dollhouse baskets, but the results are much more detailed and lend themselves to adapting the method to color and shaping work not possible with simplified methods. You can use a range of materials, from threads, to the smallest size cane, twigs, grass, fabric, raffia, paper, seaweed and many other materials. Traditionally, many of the most highly prized miniature baskets in the region I live in, were made of very fine woven roots. You can see a range of various miniature basket types in the gallery of collectible miniature baskets
To begin, you can use any of these simple basket instructions for your first try at a particular weaving method, all of them are based on wire and thread or fibers. The methods are the same as full sized baskets.
- Weave a Miniature Flower Gathering Basket - This basket uses paper covered wire and thread, and demonstrates traditional wickerwork basketry, including how to lay out the base, and the techniques of pairing and waling.
- Make a Coiled Rag Basket - The coiled rag basket shown here in miniature is very simple to make from scraps of fabric and thread.
- Make a Miniature Baby or Moses Basket - This is another use of the coiling technique, which works well with thin paper or raffia wrapped around fine wire.
You can develop your skill by working on slightly more difficult baskets. The following baskets are all made using traditional wickerwork techniques. If you wish, you can make any of them using fine cane instead of thread and wire.
- Weave a Miniature Fruit Basket - Wickerwork with shaped sides
- Weave a Miniature Oval Basket - How to set an oval base in wickerwork, useful for shopping baskets.
- Weave a Miniature Bird Cage - This shows the traditional wicker weaving method of setting uprights with three rod waling, which is useful for any basket with straight sides, like a laundry hamper.
Once you have been successful with these small basket examples, start examining baskets in museums and on basketry websites, to learn how to extend your range of patterns and color work. Have fun and learn a new skill for a very small investment of time and materials.
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