Denim Fabric

A few customers have asked me to make a basket using denim.
So here is a denim prototype.

Denim is a heavy weight cotton and thus more bulky to work with. It is a very loose woven cotton and the fray is more than usual.  I love this cute denim with the embroidered flowers, the white fray adds a nice contrast.

 After wrapping you can see how bulky the  denim is which causes more lumps, so I press rows together hard when sewing each row.

I love this denim basket!
 I think the white fray adds a fun texture, but if you prefer, trim all the loose threads.

I will try a lighter weight denim next, so I can compare the  amount of fray.  I think I should try a dyed denim too, so the fray would be blue.

This basket was made using denim purchased at a fabric store, not an old pair of jeans.  Most jeans' seams have serged edges to prevent fray, but I like the fray, since it adds alot of texture to my baskets. 

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Fabric Shape Shifters

 When you look at the above basket would you know that the fabric was a zebra print?

I love this fabric for the color and contrast!

The fabric character changed from an animal design to an abstract design.  Fun!












Here is a striped fabric!  It changed character too!
 Love the swirl created in these trivets!

















Here is another stripe!  But in the oval shape it doesn't swirl as much!

   


This lovely floral does read as floral, but a very unique flower is created!

   I think you can tell this is a leopard animal print.  This fabric has many shades of leopard spots.  Not many fabrics can keep in character, since I wrap on the diagonal, this is one of a few.

 So what is this pink and white fabric?

I love the pink and black contrast!
Could you tell they were horses?

More spots!


Hot pink anyone!

Handmade Wrapped and Coiled Baskets are flexible

 I have been making these lovely baskets for over 3 years.  I enjoy designing them and creating them using lovely fabrics.  My baskets are very sturdy!  I double stitch some seams where the line is lumpy and bumpy to make sure they are strong.
I double stitch the center of all baskets, since that is where the most strength is needed. 

These are hand crafted baskets and unique.
I hand wrap fabric around cotton clothesline
and then machine quilt the strands together to make
baskets, trivets and now beautiful necklaces too.
I use raw edged fabric strips, so there is fray all
over the basket to give it some texture.  My cat can not eat the threads since they are quilted down on both sides of the strand.  I have machine washed her bed and it has frayed a little more.  Most fabrics will fray some more, I just give it a trim if there is too much.  There are only a few cottons that I have to trim, the loose weave ones.  Lovely batik fabrics don't require any trimming and wash very well.  I spot clean first to make sure the colors don't run.  Trim just the threads that are sticking out, not the seam zigzag stitches.

 As you can see, this lovely basket is still flexible.  It is not stiff like metal or wicker. It is strong, but the shape can change if it is overloaded.  I overload my baskets all the time and they do not break, they just reform to a bulky shape. 

 My little kitty loves her curved basket/bed.
This type doesn't bend over as much when she stretches.  She loves to curl up in side and let the sides form to her shape.  Some times there is a bulge on one side where her feet are pushed against the inside.

When she pops her head up over the top on this curved bed, it folds in on her, so she cushions her head right on it.

 I love the itty bitty baskets, they are so useful for keys and change.  This size basket is not as flexible, so it keeps it shape even when overloaded, but it will fall over just like any other bowl.

Here is my little Koda in his bed! 
He loved the flexible sides, he could move around and the basket would form right to his shape.

He is so big now!

Miss kitty took over his bed!

Designing a Necklace Line for Wexford Treasures

 I made myself a necklace with a lovely ceramic button and just love it.  I think I will just have to make more for summer. 


 I created this necklace by wrapping a wonderful olive green batik around cotton line.  The line is .25" thick and is lumpy in places since the line is not perfect.  The fabric raw edges have some fray, so this Skinny Necklace has a great shabby chic character.  The button it tied on with a leather strip. It is tied around 2 strands, so I can play around with the length of the other 2-3 strands.  I love the 4-6 strands at different lengths, so this infinity necklace is 150" long (or about 12 feet).

Oh I love batik fabrics!
This necklace has a wonderful Boho style.  I used a decorative stitch to make sure the fabric does not unwrap from the line.  I have machine washed my Boho necklaces and found that batiks do not fray as much as some other cotton fabrics.

 I love twisting this necklace into many different  shapes, so it never looks the same!

Is this a necklace and a skinny scarf?

It is both!

Love this button!

 How about a string skinny necklace?  I used the same love olive green batik fabric, just a different length, which I think is very nice.  It looks more rustic without the button.

Here is a lovely Bamboo Green Batik necklace.  I think this summer green batik creates a wonderful modern necklace.  I love the simplicity.

 There are so many decorative stitches to use, so it will be fun to see which ones work the best.


I am washing a couple of necklaces many times and I will post the results later.


Regular cotton did fray on the first washing with hot water and heated dryer.  And on the second washing too.

The batiks don't fray much even with the hot water.  I don't recommend hot water and a hot dryer, this is just for testing.



I will check for shrinkage and post that later too.

Please feel free to post any suggestions!



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Have a Great Day!