Stowe Basketry Festival

The 2025 Stowe Basketry Festival, held from May 13–17 at Midway Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, was a vibrant celebration of the art of basket weaving. This annual event brought together artisans, instructors, and enthusiasts from across the country to engage in a week of creativity, learning, and community

🧺 Event Overview

The festival offered a diverse array of classes catering to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced weavers. Participants had the opportunity to explore various techniques and materials, including traditional reed, willow, and innovative mixed-media approaches.

👩‍🏫 Featured Instructors & Classes

Esteemed instructors led hands-on workshops throughout the week. Some highlights included:

• Susan Baxter taught several classes, including:

  • Zennie: An intermediate-level platter featuring an overlaid double cross base and a wrapped core border.

  • Rowan: An advanced basket incorporating “Love Knot” and “Chicken Feet” designs, culminating in a Gretchen border.

  • Venetia Too: A unique basket starting with a slotted acrylic bloom base, utilizing twining, chase weave, and a 4-strand braid.

  • Leia: An intermediate class using a 3D-printed jig to create a Star Base, featuring a Bargello design.

  • Dianne Stanton offered classes such as:

    • Diamond Tote: A beginner-friendly basket woven with natural and dyed flat reed, featuring a soft cloth or leather handle.

    • Herringbone Stripe Market Basket: An intermediate-level basket teaching techniques using mostly one-size material, completed with a wood or leather handle.

  • Bonnie Gale:

    • Spanish Dreams: An intermediate class focusing on Spanish willow techniques to create a small round basket.