Weave a Cattail Tote with Clare Walker

Learn to weave with one of nature’s amazing, strong yet flexible materials: cattails.  Native peoples in the Americas and around the world have used this versatile plant for everything from mats, baskets, and cordage to house insulation and food from its roots, shoots, and pollen.

In this class, we will make a strong and useful tote bag (approx.12×8”) and learn several weaving techniques, including under-over weave, twining, twilling, and finishing.  Cattail is soft on the hands compared to many weaving techniques but does require some hand dexterity.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Clare Walker teaches plant and pollinator identification and classes on natural basketry and more around Maryland, including programs at Nature Forward, the US Botanical Gardens, and Irvine Nature Center. She delights in native plants and especially their relationships to wildlife and people. Her classes encourage us to cherish our local plants, whether through basketry using natural materials, making herbal remedies, enjoying foods from foraged plants, or gardening with natives. Clare previously worked as a naturalist for Maryland State Parks and then as an environmental outreach specialist for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.