The Basket Sampler

03/07/2024

Have you ever wanted to learn to try rug hooking? Join the Wild Wooly Women who will guide you in making a small spring mat. We will provide the pattern, wool, equipment and teachers to get you started. The is a great way to find out if rug hooking is for you.

The class will be held at the Carls Family YMCA in Milford
300 Family Drive, Milford, MI 48381
Date: Saturday, April 6
Time: 10am-2pm
Ages: 10 years to adult
Cost: $10 donation to the YMCA ($5 if you are a member)

Call the Y at 248-685-3020 and ask to register for the Intro to Traditional Rug Hooking Class.

07/31/2023

Garden Basket Class-with a little different shaping, you can make a basket that is great for picking veggies, or maybe flowers. This is the fun of baskets-the same basket two ways. Join us Thursday from 9-4 to make this basket. And if you take Tina Etter's class on Friday evening you can take home some Peas and Carrots to fill your basket! This class will be at the Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan, MI on Thursday, August 17 from 9-4. More information is available at https://www.michiganfiberfestival.info/collections/2023-workshops

07/31/2023

Have you wondered how to weave a twill basket? Twills can be a lot of fun, once you know how to start them. These baskets will be woven over a mold, with a wood base for the bottom. If you have never made a basket, we can start with a simple twill to get you started. Lots of colors will be available. When you leave the class, you will have a one of a kind basket, and the knowledge to make many more. The class is Friday, August 18, 2023, from 9-4 at the Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan, MI. More information is at https://www.michiganfiberfestival.info/collections/2023-workshops

03/25/2023

Its time again for the Spring Fiber Expo! It starts Saturday April 1st - No April Foolin from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday April 2nd from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Vendors from previous years and many new ones will be awaiting your arrival, along with classes to learn new skills and techniques. Clear Your Schedule and we will See you at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds - 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Rd. Ann Arbor Michigan 48103

I will be teaching the Market Basket With Curls from 9-3 on Sunday. You can register on the Fiber Expo site at www.fiberexpo.com

08/07/2022

August 17-21 The Basket Sampler will be attending The Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan, MI. On Wednesday, I will be teaching the Cathead basket. It's a little challenging to get started, but then it's a relaxing weave. Thursday I will be teaching the Woven Bowl. It is woven over a class mold, so it comes out perfect when you are finished. Friday evening will be the napkin/roll basket-its a great beginner basket. The same kit can make either basket. For all of the classes, all materials, tools and lots of colors to choose from are supplied. I will also be vending Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The festival is a great place to get anything fiber related. More information can be found at https://www.michiganfiberfestival.info
Since I will be in Allegan for the week, the shop will be closed from August 15-21.

03/12/2022

There are still openings in the braid weaving class with Marjorie. It is on April 11, 12 or 13 (a one day class-pick a day). Please let me know if you are interested.

06/07/2021

RUG BRAIDING CLASS
PLEASE NOTE NEW DATES!!

We have the opportunity to take a rug braiding class with Marjorie Corrow from Hamburg, New York. Marjorie was a vendor at the recent Fiber Expo and I was really impressed with her rugs, with rug hooked centers and braided borders. I talked with her at length and she has agreed to come to The Basket Sampler to teach classes April 11-13, 2022. Marjorie has been braiding rugs for several decades. Most of her wool is from old clothing that she has collected and torn apart. She does not hook her own centers, as she wants to concentrate on the art of braiding.

Here are some of the details of the class:

There will be three one day classes offered:
Monday April 11 9am-4pm
Tuesday April 12 9am-4pm
Wednesday April 13 9am-4pm

The number of students for each class will be 4-8.

The cost will be $110 for a one day class. I will need $50 deposit which is not refundable but can be transferred. $30 of this cost is a kit price. If you have any of the components of the kit (braid aids, waxed linen, blunt tip needles) you would not be obligated to purchase them and that will reduce the cost of the class.

The rugs will not be completed in the day, but you will learn the techniques to finish them on your own.

All of the rugs will be a different size depending on the center. You will need to bring 6-8 garments that are at least 70% wool. They need to be washed, taken apart with all hardware and interfacings removed and left as flat pieces of wool. Marjorie wants to be able to look at the wool before tearing it into strips since different weights will be torn differently. She also said we could use pieces of our hand dyed wool or wool off the bolt if we want. You will also need a sewing needle and thread to match the wool as it is sewn together.

If you choose to use a hooked center, it can be any size. Marjorie recommends round or oval as the easiest to learn on. A rectangle with rounded edges will also work well. Squared off edges are a little harder to learn to do right. She teaches a coiled braid, not a braid that butts at the edges. This will be more appropriate for something with more than a row or two of coiling. You don't have to have a hooked center, a rug that is all braided will be good to do as well.

If you want to bring a lunch and snacks you are welcome to do so.

I would like to get an idea of who may be interested in taking the class. I need a minimum of 4 each day, so please send me an email and let me know if this is something you may want to do.

The Basket Sampler, 153 N Milford Rd, Highland, MI 48357
248-889-8600
[email protected]

04/01/2021

Come One - Come All - To The Fiber Expo

It will all be happening in just a few short weeks. The Spring Fiber Expo on Saturday April 10th from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday April 11th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. At the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Ann Arbor - Saline Road. Ann Arbor Michigan. We will have astounding Vendors on hand with incredible items for sale. Along with the fantastic offerings we will be have Alpacas and Rabbits on Display.
Check out our website for classes - The Basket Sampler will be teaching the tote basket on Sunday. www.fiberexpo.com See you There!!!!

01/04/2021

Thank you to the Highland Downtown Development Authority for the grant! It will help a lot.

We are excited to announce our Patronicity Mini Grant winners. Thanks to your donations and a matching grant from Oakland County we were able to grant over $8,000.00 to businesses in Downtown Highland.