Tuesday, September 30, 2014

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!




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