Adirondack Backpack Weaving

Learn how to weave the basic shape of the Adirondack Backpack with instructor Sue Muldoon. Keep things hands-free while carrying your items in this lightweight backpack. We will make a medium-sized pack about 11” tall that is perfect for daily use, farmers markets and more. The backpack shape was established to fit in the curve of a canoe for stability and space-saving.

Once you learn the basic weaving skills, you can move on with your own projects, making larger or smaller backpacks. We will have all the materials prepared, including cotton straps.

Some skills students will acquire through completion of this course: over/under weave, continuous weave, twining, shaping and rimming.

Tools to bring to class: Clippers or scissors that can cut reed. Floral shears work well.

Date: Sat., Nov. 9, 8 AM - 5 PM
Instructor: Sue Muldoon
Class size (max.): 12
Attendance (min.): 4*
Skill level: basic
Prerequisites: none

Registration
Household Member & Above: $150**
Individual Member: $170**
General Public: $180
Register By: Oct. 29

Materials: $70 (price at checkout will include tuition and material cost)

*Classes that do not meet the minimum attendance number may be cancelled or rescheduled. If so, you will receive a full refund, or class credit, regardless of the cancellation date.

**We encourage students to become members (for as little as $30/year) to receive 10-15% off class tuition. You must be a current member on the date of registering to receive your discount. Please login to activate your member discount. To become a new member, please sign up here, or call 845-338-0071.

Instructor: Sue Muldoon divides her time between 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional work, from seatweaving (chair caning, wicker repair, rush, splint, etc.) and basket weaving to photography, web design and graphic design. Color is rampant and unapologetic in her work. Sue’s career has always been creative, from wallpaper hanging and interior painting to a lengthy career in the floral industry as designer and merchandiser. Wood carving, furniture refinishing and upcycling furniture in novel ways using unique materials like leather belts, ties and alpaca wool set her apart from traditional seatweaving methods.

Basketry started as an add-on to seat weaving because there was material begging to be used in more than one format. And where some might see a chair, Sue sees a statement. She spends the majority of her time now repairing seats (an unabashed “chairnerd” and webmaster of The SeatWeavers Guild, Inc.) but enjoys branching out into basketry. She considers her seatweaving work to be part functional and part emotional. Along with repairing chairs, she repairs the memories that are attached to them. The joy on a client’s face when they see family history brought back to functionality is inspiring.  

A frequent instructor at various sheep, wool and fiber festivals, furniture schools art retreats and farmers markets, she enjoys sharing seatweaving and basketmaking to new crafters and artisans. Virtual teaching has become part of her skills out of neccessity and adventure.

You can see Sue’s work at suemuldoonimages.com.