How to Make a Raffia Ribbon Basket
Raffia is a long, flexible straw-like material that comes from the Raffia palm. The fiber comes from the inside of the frond, which is cut open. Raffia ribbon is a little different than plain raffia because it is neatly rolled and compressed so that there are no rough ends. The resulting ribbon is died in many different colors to be used in crafts or to decorate packages and other objects with bows. Large bundles or spools are readily available in most craft stores.
Instructions
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1
Take one or two strands of raffia ribbon and start to coil it around and around to make a circle.
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2
Cut a 1-foot length of thread and thread it through the eye of a needle. Knot the end.
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3
Sew the coil together as coiling is done by attaching each row of the coil to the other with stitches every one-half to 1 inch. Continue coiling until the circle is as big as desired; this will be the bottom of the basket.
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4
Start coiling upward from the edge of the circle, stitching the bottom to the first coil of the side of the basket. Continue to stitch every one-half to 1 inch of coil. Continue until the sides of the basket reach the desired height.
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5
Braid three long strands of raffia ribbon, tying the ends with a small strand of raffia ribbon.
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6
Attach the ends to opposite sides of the inside of the basket by sewing them in to make a handle.
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Tips & Warnings
Raffia ribbon is weather safe, and the basket can be placed outside without any risk of shrinkage. Raffia ribbon is recyclable and biodegradable, making it eco-friendly. Use two different colors of raffia ribbon for a colorful basket.
Make enough stitches to hold the coils of the basket together. The beginning of the bottom coil will have more stitches than the edge and they are closer together. Pull stitches tight so there are no gaps between the layers of the coil.
