Folded bark containers


We make woven containers on our Cordage & Containers day.  This weekend we had some bark left over and decided to have a go at folded bark containers instead.  In many ways folded bark containers are simpler and quicker to make and so I took a few photos as we put one together.  We had already stripped the outer bark off a sweet chestnut stem but it isn’t necessary for this type of container, and one of the reasons it’s quicker.

First up mark up a rectangle on a piece of bark, avoiding any knots.  Then find the middle along the longest side and draw on 2 arcs.

bark containers | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

Cut out the rectangular shape.

bark containers | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

Use the tip of your knife to gently scribe along the arcs, but be careful not to cut too deep.

bark containers | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

Bring the 2 ends together; the bark should fold around the scribed arcs.

bark containers | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

bark containers | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

Mark where the holes for stitching will go and drill them with the tip of your knife.

bark containers | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

We used more of the sweet chestnut bark to stitch.

bark containers | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

Put a piece of bendy stick at the top of the container to prevent it from shrinking as the bark dries out, we used some goat willow.

folded bark containers | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

 

folded bark containers | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

Give it a go and let us know how you get on.

You can see photos from our Cordage & Containers course on our Facebook page.


About Gary

Lead Instructor at Jack Raven Bushcraft, teaching bushcraft, wilderness and survival skills to groups and individuals.

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