Basket repair by Debbie Fritz Before |
Basket repair by Debbie Fritz After |
"PNG member Fran Amos found this at Goodwill (for under $2.00) and gave it to me. I used a mix of traded needles from Jeanine Thames and fumed needles that I got with my exchange basket from Rena Vickery for repair and to match the patina."
See the "jump" pages under the before and after thumbnail photos to read how this basket was repaired step-by-step.
Tray Before Susan Butts repair |
Tray After Susan Butts Repair |
"I just did a repair job on a basket that was over 100 years old. The main problem was that the raffia on the top edge and the handles had disintegrated and fallen apart.
"As one who almost never uses raffia because I hate the
way it shreds, I was hesitant to try this repair.
However, after I started, it was relatively easy to
do, and turned out very well. It was quite a learning
experience, and the man who owns the basket was quite
pleased that his great grandmother's basket could once
again be displayed in his home."
After Kaye Burlason repair, no before photos available. |
I found this purse at a flea market and it was squashed flat to the bottom. I gently pulled it up and had to reshape all the thin wire shapes. All the raffia teneriffe was in good shape. My husband, Bob, cut some heavy wire and kind of made it box shape to fit inside to make it stronger. Then I made a velvet liner to cover that insert of wire. It is too heavy now to use as a purse but looks nice for a show piece.
Wish I had thought to make a before picture when I first
bought it. I actually worked on it two days--long hours though. I am not
very good at lining the inside. It was hard to make the velvet cover that
wire like a pocket.
I just
repaired three pieces recently and did not think to
take photos before sending them home. One was a wall
hanging, one a can with pine needles glued upright
that needed the trim replaced and one a bowl with
ragged handles and two rows around the top. Had to
tint the raffia with hot coffee to match the last one
and had to try three times before I got a match. Now
I will use the mistakes on something else.
I thought I would share an experience I had recently. Some time ago on this list we discussed the finishes we all use on our work. I had the pleasure of repairing a pine needle basket that was purchased 20-25 years ago, the rim was coming undone as well as the edge of the lid. The basket was sealed with shellac, it was very brittle and the binder which appeared to be 3 ply waxed linen was also in a state of deterioration. I do not know whether this basket has been in the sun at all.
Prior to being a part of this group I was of the opinion that all baskets had to have a finish on them, and I used my fair share of shellac. Now I question that decision. I now seal a basket on a rare basis, unless I feel it may be handled a lot and then I will seal it with bee's wax.
I have not been coiling long enough to have known that shellac may do this. I think we should all rethink the use of shellac on our works of art. I did not like what I've seen with it when reparing this basket. I know it is something I will NEVER use again if I feel a piece needs to be sealed.
Another comment from Pamela Zimmerman:
"all the baskets I hvae ever been asked to repair have been stitched with raffia. They almost all show breakage along the rim or the bottom joint. Of course, they are all pretty old, as well, but I have never seen damage to pine needles "