Ask the Expert: 5 Questions for Ruth Woods, Author of ‘Finding Form with Fibre’ – Gardenista

After reading Ruth Woods’ new book, Finding Form With Fibre, which profiles the work of 14 talented Australian artists and offers different techniques for working with plant fibers, I immediately headed outside to gather plant materials that I could transform into an artistic piece. Working with Phormium and some Lomandra, I attempted to weave a masterpiece. Turns out, I’m not much of a textile crafter. Well, at least not currently.

Determined to become more skilled, I reached out to Ruth, who started Craft School Oz and teaches basketry and textile workshops, to ask for advice and guidance.

Photography from Finding Form With Fibre.

What is your favorite plant to work with?

“I have many plants that I like to work with, so it all depends on what’s available, usually in my garden or my neighbors’. This is a wine growing area in Australia, so I use grapevines from my neighbor’s garden. I also use a lot of New Zealand flax because it’s readily accessible as I have several in my garden. Flax is strong and fibrous and is a great weaving plant. I also like Kniphofia which has a long leaf and soft fibres to work with—it’s really nice on your hands.”

Is there a particularly easy plant to work with?

“Daylilies are great because you can pick their long leaves when they are dying back from the new leaves; this means that they are already dry and ready to use. I try to pick these early in the morning while they are still moist with dew, because then I can use them straight away.”

Top tips for creating with plants?