Salish Sea Cedar
White and Yellow Cedar Bark (twining,
2026 Stowe Basketry Festival
Stowe, VT
Made in class with Diane Stanton
This was my first opportunity to work with cedar bark. This basket uses both yellow and white cedar bark. The bark was cut with a Rigby Cloth Rug Cutter during a 0ne-day class at the 2026 Stowe Basketry Festival. Diane is a wonderful teacher, wish so much knowledge that she shares freely and generously. I love spending a day with Diane, learning basket stuff.
Diane and me, holding the finished basket
Some process photos from the class showing Diane demonstrating weaving techniques, and my own progress.
Since the 1950s and 60’s, archeologists have found preserved fragments of cedar and spruce baskets at wet sites dating thousands of years ago. These sites are along the Salish Sea in the state of Washington and in British Columbia, as well as sites farther north in B.C. and southeast Alaska.
Inspired by these ancient twined containers, students in this class will make a round basket with red and yellow cedar bark using open wrapped twining. You will use a mold to ensure an even shape. The basket will be completed with a traditional wrapped cedar rim. Discussions will include the harvest and preparations of materials, as well as the history behind the discovery and replication of these very old baskets.