Basket Weaving: Shaker Flat Bottom Basket Workshop

Saturday, June 27, 2026
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location:
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
2451 Kissel Hill Road
Lancaster, PA 17601

Tuition:
$90.00 – $100.00

Click Here to Register

Classroom:
Museum Store – Second Floor

Class Description

The Basket Weaving Shaker Flat Bottom Basket Workshop at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum is an intermediate-level basketry class focused on a distinctive Shaker-inspired basket form. Known for their ingenuity, simplicity, and practical design, Shaker craftspeople created baskets that were both useful and beautifully constructed.

In this workshop, students will create a unique basket featuring an unusual flat bottom and floating corners. This design requires careful attention to structure, spacing, and tension, making it best suited for students with previous basket-weaving experience.

This is an intermediate class. Students must have taken at least three prior basket-weaving classes with Joan Betzold.

Participants will learn how to construct the basket’s distinctive base, shape the sides, maintain proper tension, and finish the basket using traditional techniques. The finished basket is both functional and visually striking, making it a strong addition to any basket weaver’s skill set.

The workshop is taught by Joan Betzold, a basket weaver and weaving teacher with more than 30 years of experience. Joan attends more than 40 art, folk art, colonial, fiber, and gardening shows each year and has been honored as a Featured Artist at several nationally recognized shows. She designs, dyes, and weaves original baskets using centuries-old techniques without nails, glue, staples, or molds.

Joan is known for award-winning custom designs and unusual baskets incorporating vintage tools, kitchen items, antlers, or treasured heirloom pieces. She teaches basket weaving at museums and privately and has served for several years as the basket-weaving judge at the Maryland State Fair.

What to Bring

Students should bring:

• Measuring tape
• Sharpened pencil
• Brick wrapped in plastic wrap
• 12 large wooden clip-style clothespins
• Old towel
• Scissors
• Pocket knife
• Small regular screwdriver
• Spray bottle
• Pail or dishpan to hold 2 gallons of water
• Lunch, drinks, and snacks

Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for hands-on basket weaving.

Important Notes

• Intermediate class; prior experience required
• Students must have taken at least three classes with Joan Betzold
• Held in the Museum Store’s second-floor classroom
• One flight of stairs
• All sales are final
• No refunds
• Proceeds benefit Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum