Welcome to the Coiled Straw Technique Tour! Coiled Straw. A very simple sounding name for such a variety of possibilities. While coiling straw may be one of the oldest forms of basket making, the techniques used are as varied as the peoples and nations of the world. European examples of coiled containers have been found that are over 12,000 years old. The straw used to construct these containers was usually from whatever the local grain crop might be. The materials for "lacing" the coils together could be wood splits, reeds, string, leather or whatever material might be handy at the time of creation. Sometimes the size of the resulting piece would dictate the materials used to bind the coils together. In some of the coiled straw examples you will see here, the straw itself was used to lace or bind the coils into shape. As you begin this tour, open your eyes to the variety within.... Shapes, sizes, colors, and materials..... Gathering Straw for Baskets All information, photographs and other artwork contained in this site are Copyrighted by The American Museum of Straw Art. Reproduction of any material is prohibited without prior written permission.