How to Mix Stain for Basket Weaving

Stain basket-weaving reed with an acrylic paint and water mixture.

The process of basket weaving is completed with a special type of material called basket reed. The reed is a natural fiber that absorbs stain with ease. The type of dye used to create the stain and color basket reed is made from fabric dye, acrylic paint or acrylic stain. The key to making a stain for the basket reed is to make the solution thin enough to brush on the outer fibrous reed without adding a solid layer of color. Acrylic paint has a wide range of colors and makes a stain that is easy to store.

Things You'll Need

• Acrylic stain
• Yogurt container with lid
• Water
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Artist's paint brush
• Paper towel
• Scraps of basket-weaving reed

Instructions

1. Pour 3/4 cup water in a clean yogurt container.

2. Squeeze the desired color of acrylic paint into a 1-teaspoon measuring spoon. Pour the contents of the measuring spoon in the yogurt container. Swish the measuring spoon in the water until it is clean.

3. Mix the water and acrylic paint together thoroughly with the handle of the artist's paintbrush. Dry the handle of the paintbrush with a paper towel.

4. Paint the surface of a scrap piece of basket reed with the acrylic stain. Allow the reed to dry for 15 minutes.

5. Look at the color. Determine if the stained reed is the desired color. Add more acrylic paint to the yogurt container and mix thoroughly to darken the color. Repeat the process until the stain is the desired hue.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix a larger container of stain if staining large amounts of basket reed. Store any unused portion of the acrylic stain out of direct sunlight to avoid premature evaporation.