Courses and events
Willow courses
As well as my own courses at my workshop in Froghall Wharf or at Foxt Village Hall, I teach at The Gardeners Bothy, Staunton Harold, Greenwood Days and Zantium Arts. Courses are marked as suitable for beginners or intermediates, materials, drinks and biscuits are included. Booking is essential as places are limited to 8 to ensure sufficient tuition time. Vouchers can be used on the courses that are starred.
Please bear in mind that basketmaking is very hard on the hands. If you suffer from hand, wrist, finger or shoulder problems it may not be the course for you.
More new courses will be added through the year. To book onto courses, see the details below (read carefully as some are not suitable for beginners) then please head to my shop, select the right course and book on and pay on the shop page. If its not on the shop yet, just ping me an email wheatcroftwillow@googlemail.com
Voucher holders please email me and I will book you on. See below for cancellation policy.
Willow basket courses spring/summer 2025.
The courses below are at Foxt Village Hall, ST10 2HN or in my workshop at Froghall Wharf unless otherwise stated. Other venues are listed lower down
*Intermediate frame basket 2 days Saturday 14th June and Sunday 15th June. For progressive makers in my workshop, Froghall Wharf ST10 2HJ. Frame baskets. 9.30-5 ish . Two days for £210 suitable for people with some experience of basketmaking who are not afraid to use knives.
Using pre-made hoops you can make a round or oval frame basket. We will learn how to split and dress ribs using a knife and shave horse and attach them to a hoop to create a curved, shallow and very strong frame basket, useful for carrying garden or home items. Only 4 places on this course so lots of tutor time.
* beginners basketmaking. Friday 13th June – Froghall. Beginners round basket– 9.30 – 5 ish. £90
Foxt Village Hall ST10 2HN, Please arrive at 9.15 for a 9.30 start. This one day course will guide you through the process of making a shallow tray style basket or a taller fruit basket to hold and carry bread, fruit etc. You will learn how to make a round base, choose stakes and stake up, then learn different weaves to make the main body of the basket and then weave a border at the top to hold it all together.
* make a willow shoulder bag. Friday 4th July - - suitable for beginners and intermediates. long day – Foxt Village Hall 9.30 til around 6pm - £110 including leather or canvas strap.
Spend a whole day making a very special handbag/foraging basket using different weaves, colours and patterns. We will then rivet or sew handles onto the basket depending on what style you choose
* Make a useful oval garden basket - Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July, Foxt Village Hall, 9.30 til 5pm £200
Make a large oval basket with a handle suitable for using in the garden or for foraging. Or you can adapt this to make a smaller base and taller sides for a shopping style basket. Using some of my home grown willows to add colour. Suitable for early makers who have made a round basket before and for intermediates who want to learn new weaves and new skills.
Courses at other venues in 2025
Two day Lime bark and bast, pots and baskets weekend 7th and 8th June – Woodland Survival skills – £130 including camping overnight.
Day 1. Lime Bark container day looks at understanding the history and quality of this remarkable tree and how to extract the bark for both rope and containers. People make a selection of small containers as they develop their skill before steadily going bigger and then look at creating lids and how to work with it all as they dry, avoiding significant shrinkage and splitting.
Day 2. Make a useful basket using bast and bark and covering some key basketry skills.
To book email dave@woodlandsurvivalcrafts.com or call Dave on 07736225035
Courses at Greenwood Days, Leics/Derbyshire border
Small Berry Basket Friday 18th July - To book https://greenwooddays.co.uk/courses/berry-basket-one-day-willow-weaving-4/
Asymmetrical basket making. Thu 26 - Fri 27 Jun - To book https://greenwooddays.co.uk/courses/asymmetrical-basket-making/
Log basket two-day willow weaving - Sat 28 - Sun 29 Jun - To book https://greenwooddays.co.uk/courses/log-basket-two-day-willow-weaving/
Oval backpack - Sat 16 - Sun 17 Aug - https://greenwooddays.co.uk/courses/oval-backpack/
Courses at Zantium Arts, Near Wirksworth, Derbyshire
Two day round basketmaking course - Thursday 31st July and Friday 1st August
To book - https://www.zantium.co.uk/courses/willow-basket-weaving-rachel-evans/
Course at The Old Lock Up Gallery in Cromford.
Willow back pack course - 20th & 21st September 2025
This two day course will guide you through making an oval shaped willow backpack for carrying around your foraging finds or for picnics.
To book -
Progressive teaching programme
If you want to take your basketmaking further then more structured learning can be arranged with me in my workshop. We can cover materials preparation and selection and well as the techniques to make whatever baskets style you wish, working progressively towards set goals and building on your skills.
One to one tuition £200 per day in my workshop plus materials
up to 3 people in the workshop. £100 per person plus materials
Contact me to book
Course cancellation policy
If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you cancel more than 4 weeks before the course, your fee can be refunded minus a £25 cancellation fee.
Less than 4 weeks and I cannot offer a refund, although if I can fill your place, you may transfer your course to another course of similar value later in the year.
Less than 7 days and unfortunately I cannot offer refunds. Course fees are non-refundable. No refunds can be made to those who fail to attend a course in full or in part.
You may send someone in your place, in which case we will need their contact details in advance