Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 March 2025, Wild Cordage with Ruby Taylor

14:00 - 17:00 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Online workshop, hosted on Zoom by Ruby Taylor of Native Hands

Ruby’s practice is materials-led (using clay and plant fibres); she is concerned with origins and connection and the immersive, sensory experience of making; inspired by the dialogue that emerges between the maker’s hands and the materials. Immersed in the whole cycle of production: harvesting direct from the landscape in a sustainable and respectful way, processing the raw materials, creating functional and sculptural pieces.

Her work is also informed by extended periods of silent contemplative practice in the natural world, and being a team member of an archaeology & museums partnership for a number of years, which involved co-building prehistoric style dwellings.

A trained educator and maker with over 30 years’ experience, Ruby regularly runs courses as Native Hands in Sussex woodland and at UK heritage sites.
She has been commissioned by Wakehurst Kew a number of times to create large-scale works, including Hazel Holloway 2023 in Pearcelands Wood.

Link to a 3-minute film about why Ruby does what she does, shot in the woodland where she teaches: vimeo.com/345381832
Follow: @nativehands.uk

Workshop description:
An introduction to the world of making your own cordage (string) from plant fibres. In this workshop you’ll make cordage from a variety of plant leaves and stems.

You’ll learn different ways to extract the fibres and the principles of harvesting and prepping plant materials. You’ll learn the 2 ply rope lay technique, and other methods of cordage-making will be discussed. You’ll make a range of samples that will give you the confidence to experiment further with plants that grow in your area.

Apart from the satisfaction of understanding the universal principles of string-making (when you make your own, you’ll never look at a humble ball of twine in the same way again), and getting confident in making cordage from a number of plants, we’ll discuss ways in which you can go on to use handmade cordage in craft and textile projects.

Ruby will show examples of other types of other types of cordage and looped and knotted items, to inspire you further.

String has many varied uses, and can be seen as the base of human material culture. Some would argue that it’s one of the main skills that make us human as it’s been so key to our survival and evolution as a species.

Suitable for all levels.

A material pack will be sent to participants one month before the workshop containing:

• 5 bundles of different plant leaves and stems, each labeled
• Needle
• Scissors
• Wrapping fabric (two tea towels that will be used to prep leaves for the second session)

Please note: material packs are shipped on an insured, trackable delivery service. Any customs duties, delays, lost or undeliverable packages are the responsibility of the customer. Once a material pack leaves the workshop tutors' hands with a tracking number, the seller has no further obligation to the buyer.

Workshop cancellation policy
All places reserved for workshops are non-refundable. However, if you let us know you cannot make the workshop you have booked at least two week's in advance of the workshop, we can offer a credit note.

If you require additional information about this workshop please contact the events team at events@selvedge.org.