About Pine Needle Baskets and How to Use Them in Your Home Decor

Have you ever had the pleasure of strolling through a forest covered with fragrant pine needles? Can you imagine those pine needles being crafted into a basket, tray, or sculpture? In this article, you will discover the brief history of pine needle baskets and how to use these beautiful and fragrant works of art in your home decor.

Pine needle basketry has most likely existed for as long as pine trees and people have shared the earth. Historical references do not indicate when pine needles were first used in baskets. However, due to the availability of pine needles in their area, Seminole Indians of South Florida are noted to be the first pine needle basket makers. The Seminole Indians used a bone or shell needle to sew bundles of pine needles together with fern roots, sisal, or swamp grass. Some of the baskets were used for feed baskets, to carry water, and for winnowing seeds.

Modern pine needle basketry is noted to have begun during the Civil War times (1861-1865) when Mrs. M.J. McAfee of Southern Georgia used pine needles that she bound together with cotton thread to replace a worn hat for her father. She claimed to be the originator of pine needle basketry as we know it today.

In the present day, pine needle baskets are most often created using the coiling technique, which is one of the oldest and most universal methods of basket making. The basket is created by coiling and stitching one continuous bundle of pine needles around and on top of the row below. The foundation of the basket is formed with a bundle of pine needles bound together with various fibers such as raffia, split roots, birch paper, yucca, sinew, embroidery thread, yarn or waxed linen thread. Decorative stitches and wrapping techniques are often used to make the basket strong as well as add an attractive element. The most common stitches used are the straight wheat stitch, spiral wheat stitch, fern stitch, popcorn stitch, diamond stitch, the Indian wrap, and numerous knot stitches.

The pine needles come from a variety of different pine trees, such as Jeffrey Pine, Long Needle Pine, Monterey Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Bill Pine, and Gray Pine. The pine needles are gathered from the newly fallen top layer on the forest floor or picked from a fallen tree or limb and chosen based on their flexibility and length. Once the pine needles have been collected, they are carefully washed, cured, and then stored until use.

The natural colors of the pine needles can be used or the needles themselves can be dyed. Embellishments such as colored threads, buttons, beads, nut slices, and cones are often used to enhance the pine needle basket or project.

Pine needle baskets make attractive statements in home decor. The following is a small list of ideas on how to use pine needle baskets to decorate your home:

? Display one or a grouping on a bookshelf to create an eye catching display.

? Use them like you would any basket to create an appealing arrangement of silk greenery to accent a special little table or chest.

? Mount a grouping of two or more baskets on a wall for interesting wall decor.

? Place dried flowers in an urn shaped pine needle basket and place it on a nightstand for a charming look next to your bed.

? Use a rounded taller version as desk organizers for your pens and pencils and a shorter version for holding your clips, rubber bands, etc.

? Place faux fruit in a pine needle basket tray for an attractive center piece on your dining room or kitchen table.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless on how to use pine needle baskets in your home decor. Today, professional basket makers and hobbyists all over the world are creating these beautiful pine needle baskets. Many pine needle baskets can be found in art galleries, art and craft fairs, home decorating shops, and on the internet.

Pine needle basketry is considered to be a lost art that is being revived by today's crafters and artists. With an interesting background and an exciting future, pine needle basketry and projects are sure to be around for many years to come.

Lesley Dietschy is a freelance writer and the creator/editor of The Home Decor Exchange and the Home & Garden Exchange. The Home Decor Exchange is a popular home and garden website featuring resources, articles, decorating pictures, free projects, and a shopping marketplace. The Home & Garden Exchange website is a link exchange program and directory dedicated to the home and garden industry, as well as offering free website content and promotional ideas. Please visit both websites for all of your home, garden, and website needs.

http://www.HomeDecorExchange.com

http://www.HomeGardenExchange.com

---

Starting Your Own Redecorating Business: The First Key Steps

Are you a compulsive furniture rearranger? Do you make distinctive... Read More

How to Buy Discount Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is a relatively new alternative to standard hardwood... Read More

How to Select an Interior Designer

Selecting an interior designer is the most important decision that... Read More

Outdoor Cedar Patio Furniture Goes Indoors!

It would be obvious to assume that the sudden boom... Read More

Kitchen Island Sizes

Kitchen island sizes vary considerably from moveable cutting and serving... Read More

Home Decorating Tips - How to Change a Rooms Dimension using Wall Pictures

The Basic Role of Pictures Wall art plays an... Read More

The Benefits of Quartz Cuckoo Clocks

Unlike windup cuckoo clocks, which require rewinding every one, two... Read More

Three Ways to Add Charm and Style to Your Kitchen

I like decorating my kitchen with a cozy, warm, inviting,... Read More

Decorating, Where Theres a Will Theres a Way

Decorating anything is one of the easiest things in the... Read More

The Arts & Crafts Movement for Beginners

If you like clean, simple, oak furnishings, you're likely an... Read More

The Importance of Home Air Filters

Many people are not aware that the air inside our... Read More

Area Rugs Will Add That Special Look And Feel To Your Home

Decorating with area rugs is one of the easiest ways... Read More

A Look at Wood Shutters

Shutters are a wonderful addition to any home. They give... Read More

Furniture Slipcovers ? The Cheap and Easy Way to Give Your Furniture a Makeover

Are you tired of the look of your furniture? Do... Read More

Where to Buy Wholesale Picnic Baskets

Perhaps you are a vendor who would like to begin... Read More

The Stress-Free Way to Add Color to Your Walls

Looking for the most impact from a small decorating budget?... Read More

Nursery Decorating Ideas: Creating a Timeless Retreat

Decorating a baby room is a wonderful opportunity to create... Read More

Beach Theme Bedroom

Using accessories is a fun way to accent your bedroom... Read More

Seeking Balance in Your Home Decor

In our homes, as in other parts of our lives,... Read More

How to Decorate Spaces for People

When it comes to decorating your home, forget about the... Read More

Lamp Shades Decorate a Room

When redecorating a room, don't forget about your lighting. While... Read More

How to Make Roman Shades

Roman shades are a simple and elegant window treatment to... Read More

A Guide to Shower Curtains

Bathrooms do not always offer many opportunities to make style... Read More

10 Tips to Care for Your Antique Glassware

Antique glassware needs a gentle hand. This month we'll give... Read More

A Look at Custom Shutters

Who doesn't love the look of shutters? On the outside,... Read More

Decorating Tips: The Meaning of Colors

Colors have many different meanings. Have you ever been in... Read More

Candle Making Supplies

Candle making can be a fun creative hobby. It can... Read More

Nursery Room Decor

The nursery is your newborn's first room, his own little... Read More

Make Simple Curtains and Valance for any Window

Making a quick set of curtains and a valance is... Read More

Picnic Baskets for Two

Picnic baskets for two provide an intimate way to celebrate... Read More

Trash or Treasure: Assessing Your Possessions

One personal junk is another personal treasure. Never is that... Read More

A Look at Tropical Ceiling Fans

There are several differences between tropical ceiling fans and standard... Read More

Finding Discount Waterbed Sheets

Consumers may be led to believe that waterbed sheets are... Read More