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Raewyn's Handquilted Sheep Washing Basket
Raewyn's Handquilted Sheep Washing Basket
Dispatched within 2–3 days
30-day returns policy
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Raewyn's Handquilted Sheep Washing Basket
Hand-Quilted In An Old Woolshed In Central Otago — One Stitch At A Time
By Raewyn Thorburn — 68, Tussock Hill, Maniototo. 49 years at a 1962 Singer. Twelve years of quilted sheep baskets, close to 5,000 of them, made quietly alongside the totes. Around 800 left. The woolshed closes on 30 November — after that, only while stocks last.
“I kept them to myself for a long time. The totes were what everyone asked about. The baskets were just mine. But I can’t take them with me when I shut that door — and they should go somewhere.”
What Comes In The Parcel
Six Things You Won’t Find On A Factory-Made Washing Basket
Cotton-poly face, wadded interior, Raewyn’s wave-stitch quilt pattern running all the way around. You can feel the stitching with your hands — dense, even, built to hold its shape. Not a print. Not a flat fabric slipped over a frame.
The sheep on the outside aren’t printed or ironed on. Each one is individually cut, layered and stitched onto the quilted panel. The fleece is raised — soft to the touch, part of the fabric. They won’t peel, crack or wash off.
Stands upright on its own — empty or full. No wire frame, no internal ring. The wadded quilted walls hold the shape. Set it in the corner and it stays there.
Two doubled-canvas handles, bar-tacked at the attachment points — the same technique Raewyn has used on her totes since 1977. Holds a full week of washing without sagging. Won’t cut into your hands.
The inside is lined with a smooth, easy-care fabric that wipes clean. No rough seams, no wadding exposed. Built for daily use — washing, wool, blankets, whatever the basket is asked to hold.
Cosy Meadow, Pastoral Flock, Green Pastures, Starry Night, Colourful Flock and Pink Flock — each with a distinct mood. One basket. Six ways to bring a little mob into your home.
The difference between a hand-quilted basket and a mass-produced washing basket comes down to three things: the wadding, the stitching density and the handle attachment. A properly wadded, wave-stitched panel spreads the load evenly and resists deformation — which is what lets a basket stand upright on its own, empty or full, for years instead of months. Bar-tacked handles at reinforced stress points are the single most reliable indicator of long-term durability in a fabric basket. Moulded plastic and frame-and-sleeve baskets skip all three.
“Dear Mrs Thorburn — I’ve had your sheep basket in the corner of my bedroom for eight years. It started as a washing basket. Now it holds my knitting, my good blankets, and whatever my grandchildren bring when they visit. It’s the most-used thing in my house. Everyone who comes over asks about the little sheep. I wanted you to know.”
Choose Your Design
Perfect For
Six Things You Get With Every Sheep Basket
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Put it in your laundry. Use it for your wool. Let it stand in the bedroom corner for a week. If it isn’t what you imagined — send it back within 30 days for a full refund. No questions, no forms. Just an email to the shop. Raewyn’s words: “These baskets should only go home with people who’ll actually love having them there.”
A Note From The Woolshed
Raewyn hand-quilts every basket and places every sheep appliqué herself, one piece at a time, on her Singer at Tussock Hill. Because each basket is made by hand, small variations in colour, stitching and the position of the sheep are a natural part of how each one comes out. These are not flaws. This is what handmade looks like.
To keep the fleece soft and the quilting in good shape for years: hand wash in lukewarm water, lay flat or hang to air dry. Do not tumble dry. The basket is made to last — treat it gently and it will.
Product Details
| Dimensions | 41 cm diameter × 56 cm height (approx. 16″ × 22″) |
| Material | Cotton-blend face fabric, quilted over a wadded interior |
| Sheep appliqués | Individually cut, layered and stitched — raised wool fleece, not printed |
| Quilting pattern | Wave-stitch all-over quilting, wraps the full exterior |
| Handles | Two doubled-canvas handles, bar-tacked at the stress points |
| Interior lining | Smooth easy-care fabric — wipes clean |
| Structure | Self-standing — no frame required. Holds its shape empty or full |
| Designs available | Six: Cosy Meadow, Pastoral Flock, Green Pastures, Starry Night, Colourful Flock, Pink Flock |
| Care | Hand wash in lukewarm water. Do not tumble dry. Air dry flat or hanging |
| Note on variations | As each basket is handmade, slight differences in colour, stitching and sheep placement are natural. Not a defect — the character of handcraft |
| Time per basket | About 6 hours of handwork |
| Made in | Hand-quilted at Tussock Hill, Maniototo, Central Otago — final collection |
| Maker | Raewyn Thorburn, quilting since 1977 |
| Shipping | Free shipping on every order, NZ-wide. Dispatched in 2–3 working days |
| Returns | 30-day full refund. No questions asked |
| Availability | ~800 remaining · Final run · Woolshed closes 30 November · then while stocks last |
The Final Sale
The Final Sale
Message from the Artist:
After years of making things by hand, our workshop is closing. These are the last pieces we'll ever ship. Every item on this page was made slowly, carefully, and with more love than any factory could replicate. Nothing rushed. Nothing outsourced. Just real craft from real hands.
We're proud of every single one. We hope they find good homes.
When they're gone, they're gone — and so are we.
Shipping with NZ Post
Shipping with NZ Post
Free shipping NZ-wide
- Delivery time: 7–14 working days
- Insured: Every parcel is fully insured
🌳 Carbon-neutral shipping with NZ Post
800+ Happy Customers
Excellent 4.9
What Raewyn's customers are saying
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question? Here's how to reach us.
Got a question? Here's how to reach us.
My granddaughter Brooke and I personally reply to every single email — as quickly as we possibly can. Whether you have a question about your order or just want to talk craft, we're here.
You can reach us:
- Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (NZ time)
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (NZ time)
Email: info@craft-folk.com
Can I return my order if I don't like it?
Can I return my order if I don't like it?
Of course. We stand behind everything on CraftFolk 100%. If you're not happy, neither are we. Just shoot us an email within 30 days and we'll make it right — no hassle, no headaches.
How are your products made?
How are your products made?
Every single product on CraftFolk is 100% handmade — crafted by hand, using only premium quality materials. We're proud to carry on a tradition of craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.