Join guest instructor Abi Pierson for a hands-on introduction to weaving coiled baskets with palm leaves! Participants will learn how to prepare palm fronds, braid them into cordage, and weave that cordage into a basket or hat.
Everyone will leave the workshop with your very own basket or hat!
Registration ends on Friday, October 17 at 5pm CST
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm
Admission:
$120 – General Admission
$96 – Members/Volunteers
Ages: Adults 18 and up
Participants will learn how to prepare palm fronds, braid them into cordage, and weave that cordage into a basket or hat.
We’ll begin with an overview of palms, including where they grow, how they have been used traditionally, and how palm leaves can be prepared for weaving – we’ll even go on a short tour into the Conservatory’s Palm House to see the palms up close!
Part One: Preparing the Palm Fronds
Participants will learn how to strip the palm leaves and prepare the fibers for weaving. We’ll then braid the prepared palm strips into cordage.
Part Two: Weaving the Basket
Once we have our palm leaf cordage, we’ll use it to weave a basket. Participants will learn how to shape and build the basket using raffia as thread to stitch and secure the palm cordage as we work.
All materials will be provided, and no prior experience is needed. This class is beginner-friendly and offers an introduction to working with palm as a natural weaving material.
When you register for this workshop, you will be asked to provide any accommodations requests. If you have any questions or would like to request an additional accommodation, please contact [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the event start.
Scholarships are available! Please fill out this Scholarship Application (link opens in a new tab) or contact [email protected] for more information. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is October 14th at 5:00pm CST.
Abeni Pierson, a Chicagoland native, is a fiber artist and educator whose work centers on sustainable, hand‑made American folk art traditions. Trained in Fashion Design at Columbia College Chicago, Abeni was drawn away from the fashion industry to focus on traditional techniques including pine needle weaving, gourd carving, cattail weaving, and broomcorn weaving. Based in Chicago, they forage, clean, dye, and grow many of their own materials, including broomcorn and gourds, keeping folk art practices alive through hands‑on teaching.
Learn more about Abi on their website: https://www.wherethepinesgrow.com/
For all fee-based programs: If cancelling…
- …two weeks prior –> Full refund
- …between two weeks and 48 hours prior and there is a waitlist –> Full refund
- …between two weeks and 48 hours and there is not a waitlist –> Credit to be used by June 30th*
- …within 48 hours –> Credit to be used by June 30th*
*If there is an upcoming program with the same cost, you can request to have your ticket transferred to that program.