European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 02, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Weaving of this a Indian quilt Quot pattern requires concentration and wet softened  base of a Basket soaks in water. By Peggy Davidson Kaiserslautern Bureau five hours and $15 later three women left Margie Stratford a Home with their handmade baskets in hand. They did no to buy them. They made them a i love the sharing and the Fellowship Quot said Stratford who teaches Basket weaving for the pleasure of keeping an ancient Art alive. She charges enough Only to cover the Cost of supplies ordered from the states. Quot weaving is relaxing and you re there with these other people around the table and you All Start to talk Quot she said Quot when you get the materials into your hands and you finally figure out that its not All that mysterious you re actually making it yourself and you feel  Stratford who lives at Ramstein a Germany began weaving a few years ago while she and her husband were living in Virginia. Quot i walked in the instructors Home and she had All these baskets hanging around Quot Stratford said. Quot i said this is it this is what i want Quot. In the first year she made about 100 baskets. Stratford can weave a simple Square Basket in an hour. A More complicated pattern changing Indian Basket can take from six to eight hours. She always keeps the first Basket she makes from a pattern and Sells or gives away the others. When she takes her baskets to Craft shows Stratford weaves As she Waits drawing in customers As she draws Reeds through intricate patterns. Her demonstrations not Only attract customers they also keep her relaxed at the sometimes hectic crafts fairs she said. Her workshops Are sponsored by the Ramstein a officers wives club of which she is a member Stratford who has been a registered nurse for 23 years but has not worked since her arrival in Germany acknowledges that Basket weaving often is viewed As therapy she laughs when people kid her about her Hobby workshop student Kathy Barker was hesitant to Call it therapeutic but said. Quot it s a really Good outlet for me emotionally Quot Barker a nurse at Lan Stuhl army regional medical Center s labor and delivery Section said that there s a real sense of Well being when you make something out of natural materials with your  weaving fulfils Quot that creative desire Quot that everyone has Barker said. Quot we create something new we need that a Page 14 a the stars and stripes wed esd