About this Event
🌿 From 'Weeds' to Cordage: Exploring Nature Fibres
Did you know some of the plants we usually pull, cut back or overlook can be transformed into surprisingly strong and useful fibres?
Come and spend an evening getting to know bindweed and other wild plant fibres in a different way, through making, foraging and conversation.
Bindweed is often thought of simply as a garden nuisance, but its long, flexible stems can be worked into simple cordage and string. Alongside bindweed, we’ll explore some of the other plants that people have traditionally used for fibre, cordage and making, and think about the different relationships we have with the plants growing around us.
With our facilitator, Zoe, we’ll learn the basics of turning plant material into cordage. We’ll experiment with dried bindweed and other prepared natural fibres, learning techniques for twisting, joining and making smooth, strong strings. At the beginning, we’ll also have the opportunity to gather some fresh plant material and explore how different fibres behave, what makes a good cordage plant, and how preparation changes what we can make from it.
The evening will be relaxed and hands-on, with plenty of space for questions, shared knowledge and conversation along the way. No experience needed, just come curious and ready to get your hands involved.
If foraging, please bring your own work gloves and secateurs/good scissors ✂️ (some will be available too). Otherwise, just wear suitable clothing for being outdoors 🥾 and bring an open mind.
Come and discover what’s hiding in the stems, vines and fibres of the plants growing all around us. 🌿
About Common C:
Common C is an open collective of doers, initiated by Roxana Caplan. We bring people together to creatively celebrate our connection to nature, land and one another through craft, collaboration and collective care.
Our mission is to connect and empower individuals and communities through creative opportunities, building skills, nurturing nature and shared resilience.
Event venue & nearby stays
meet outside Tipsy Toad, Heaton, 76 Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.