As the summer breeze threads its way through the trees, spools of reed explode across workstations in the Rock Room at the John C. Folk School. Basking in the dappled sunlight emitted from the window, a vibrant array of pre-dyed material drapes the room in possibility. Soon enough, wreaths of willow and curls of sea grass will find rhythm in one another’s presence, twining into something stronger: an interlacing of form, function and fellowship.  

When Sue Muldoon came to campus to teach, she came ready to guide students through the craft of wearable art in her “Backpack Baskets” session. What she couldn’t anticipate was how tightly plaited the group would become by the week’s end. Along with a beautiful harvest of baskets, the class would also carry away something equally enduring: friendship and connection. 

“That was the most fun class I’ve ever taught, or I’ve ever been in. It was 11 people, my helper Stephanie, and the whole group just clicked. It was a riot,” Muldoon said. “I left thinking I was a proud basket grandma, and those are all my basket babies.” 

Muldoon’s weaving journey began with caning chair seats, but it wasn’t long before she branched out, venturing into basketry and broom making. For the past six years, she has taught up and down the East Coast. When she’s not instructing, she’s showcasing her whimsical wares at renaissance fairs and sheep and wool festivals.  

“I told them on the first day we were going to learn the basic shape, and I had two, three tables full of all different colored wreaths, sea grass and all different colors of straps, buttons and beads. I encouraged everybody before the class to bring stuff they wanted to incorporate into their own backpacks, and they did. I was pretty blown away by how fabulous their imaginations were,” Muldoon said. 

As folks fill the studio, ideas flourish into plans as students grab spools of weaving material. Students sort through strips of reed, selecting their fibers like threads in a tapestry. With each over-under motion, baskets begin to take form as firm bases coil upward into vessels shaped by vision and hand. 

“I really like teaching because I can make a backpack or I can teach a couple hundred people a year how to make a backpack, I like that, a lot,” Muldoon said. 

By the end of their first day, each student had a complete or near-finished project, an impressive achievement embedding the basketeers with newfound confidence and creative drive. As they delved further into the creative process, folks began to joke and get to know one another, building connections as they transition from classmates to companions.  

Among those attending was Mel Buchanan, Folk School studio manager. She regularly attends sessions on-campus, opting to take Muldoon’s backpack session this time around. 

“I had taken classes before, but I could just tell by day two that it was exceptionally special. Sue was incredible. She shared everything we asked of her and her assistant Stephanie is equally knowledgeable, equally ready to share and jump in. By day two, which felt really comfortable, she was letting everyone make and come up with any kind of crazy ideas we wanted to, and she would make sure that we could go home with those baskets,” said Buchanan. 

Soon enough, each workstation conjured different patterns as multicolored strips are tucked into rows of vibrant tiers. Zigzags and crisscrosses of orange, blue and multicolor combinations spiral outward from each basket like stories unwinding from the weaver’s hands. 

“I felt kindness every single day. No competition, because we were all just making whatever we wanted to make. I just felt this kinship out of everybody and all of the items, the class, the studios and campus. It felt like it was an exemplary moment of taking a class,” said Buchanan. 

By the end of the session, Buchanan had crafted four backpack baskets, adorned with unique colors and ombre accents. Her final creation was a deeply personal venture, as it is a homage to her family and cultural roots.  

 “The final one I made; I created that one based on my family. My last name is Buchanan, and I like my Scottish heritage, it fascinates me. I made that one based on our most popular family tartan,” said Buchanan. “I go to Scottish festivals several times a year, so I started taking that one with me and people who know Buchanan tartan are like, ‘oh, I get it.’ That’s pretty cool.’” said Buchanan. 

By the closing day, students carried home an inventory of customized baskets embellished with stones, ceramics, and imaginative detail. Yet, beyond the woven vessels, the class unearthed something more: a circle of camaraderie bound by shared learning.  

“I’m as surprised as everybody else that we ended up starting as strangers and leaving as friends. That was one of my most important takeaways was I came home with 11 new friends and that that was a lot of fun, and we’re going to keep in touch,” Muldoon said. 

As the final rays of sunlight slip past the horizon and the studio door latches shut, “Backpack Baskets” draws to a close. The students, now bound together, carry forward a new skill, a sense of stewardship, a tapestry of friendships that remains tightly woven.