THE DOG BED

I love trying new designs. 
What do you think of this one?
I call it The Dog Bed since it is so unique and big. 
I love the rounded sides, makes this more like a cat/dog cave.  My made this fun bed using my Singer Heavy Duty machine.  The size of this machine restricts the curve, so I can only add a nice curve to larger beds: 12-15 inch base beds.

 I found this rich black and brown flannel fabric.   My little fury friend loves hers, it molds to her curled shape.  Kozy!  She is so cute when she pops her head up to see what is going on!

This is a medium size:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/157094344/rustic-dog-bed-handmade-flannel-cat-bed?ref=shop_home_active

Custom Order - You Design it!

I love Customer Orders! 
I get to work with great people who want something unique for their specific need/use.  I have created over 500 unique baskets.  I design all my own work and do not use a pattern.  Every fabric and fabric combination creates a unique pattern in the basket.  The size and shape of the baskets are usually functional, since I use them all over my own home.  I use them for home decor and home storage. 

I'm trying to go more "Green", so I use a medium basket for shopping!  Try a larger basket for your projects. My project bag/basket is now 3 years old and it goes everywhere with me.  Yes, it has been washed many times and still looks great.  I thought is would fray more, but it has not.  I think that is because I only air dry it.  Yes, machine washed with cold water.

Go Green with gift baskets!

A lovely customer asked for a Holiday Pie Carrier, great idea!  
Just don't forget it at your family's house! 
I would use a foil pie plate so you can leave that, but take your lovely basket home. 
I don't include pie plates in my listings to keep the shipping costs low.
Please feel free to contact me with your idea!

I love it!  I will be making more of these for my Christmas gift list.

For a lovely green batik pie carrier,
please see:
 https://www.etsy.com/listing/163663912/pumpkin-pie-basket-handmade-apple-pie?ref=shop_home_active

For gift baskets, please visit:
 https://www.etsy.com/shop/WexfordTreasures?section_id=7443001

 For larger project baskets, please visit:
 https://www.etsy.com/shop/WexfordTreasures?section_id=7536210

Tailgating Baskets

 I'm new to Tailgating at football games, so I have a lot to learn!  We now have added a top up tent and a rug! The car is packed with stuff, amazing!  I always learn the hard way!  The WIND!  It blew everything off the table!  Blew over the sports chairs and almost the tent.  Now we have tent anchors! 

I made this fun basket using nylon rope to hold all the snacks or buns.  I have a heavy marble bread warmer for the bottom so it won't blow away!  I hope....

 The nylon can get wet too and dries much faster.  Yeah, I will be testing it next weekend!  I love the patriotic colors.
Easy to clean!  I guess I need another one of these!

I made a couple of lovely fabric baskets too, see pictures below.

 I love this scrappy patriotic look!
The base is 10" so I can put the paper dinner plates in it.  I'll have to add a weight again so they don't blow away!  But this will look so much better than a bunch of plates piled on the table.....

 I think I can fit the napkins in this basket too.

 I love the unique pattern formed by the five different fabrics.  Another basket will be similar and unique every time!

I made another basket, 8" to hold cookies.
I found this nice round plastic container, so I made a basket to fit it, see below.  It will make the table very festive!

I love this cheery patriotic design!
The handles will make it so easy to pack up for the next game.  These baskets are machine washable too!  Only Air Dry!



What's next, lots of fun ideas..
How about a utensils holder...
Cup holder?
Coffee cozies?
Trivets?
Condiment holder?
Chip and dip anyone?

 

New Heavy Duty Singer Sewing Machine

Yeah a new sewing machine!  I purchased this Singer Heavy Duty machine about 2 months ago and have now made many lovely baskets.  It is not fancy, but that's ok, it is very strong, which is great when working with the cording and line I use in my fun baskets.  I have adjusted it some to make it work well with my basket making.  I took out the bobbin case restraint, since I frequently adjust the bobbin tension.  Cleaning! This machine seems to stay cleaner, how can that be?  I'm not sure!  I have been using more high quality Guterman thread, which reduced the fuzz some, but I also think the machine works better, so it doesn't cause as much fuzz.  For the most part, this sewing machine runs quieter and faster! Yeah!  The presser foot does raise higher as advertised, which is great.  I can also adjust the presser foot tension, so cording and fabric sewing is smoother.  Overall, I am very pleased with my new sewing machine!

Only use plastic bobbins!  I wish the Singer manual explained that and gave the basic bobbin replacement size.  Under the bobbin case is a magnet! I don't know the reason why it is there, but that is why only plastic bobbins should be used.  A metal bobbin would cause the bobbin case to wear out very fast.  A local sewing machine repairman told me if your machine comes with plastic bobbins, then only use plastic!  

Singer sewing machine needles work best in this machine.  The universal needles kept breaking, since they don't fit quite right.  The Singer manual doesn't explain how to adjust the bobbin tension, so I had to figure out my own chart for different types of threads.  I wish Singer and other manufacturers would realize that more info the better in their manuals, since we want to be very creative using these machines!

Yes, my old Babylock is now retired, but will still play the role of backup machine.  I still love my Babylock, which still runs fine, but just not as fast, I really wore it out!
Happy Creative Sewing!

Coiled Basket with closure prototype

 I love to try new additions for customers.
The request is for a closed basket, similar to a toiletry bag.

I used this lovely black and white fabric to make some prototypes for this lovely customer.  She is so nice to work with!

 I love how this drawstring basket turned out.  I love the top ruffle, it adds so much character to the basket.  This customer suggested thicker strings and I agree!

 I will try this same basket with a velcro closure and post the pictures later.  I love the ruffles, so I will try to include them with the velcro.
Yes, I tried the zipper closure, but I did not like how it looked, it did not add a nice touch to the basket.

I could add a bigger fabric top, so this could be used as a bread basket?
And How about as a yarn/knitting basket?
Oh, I can think of many more uses too!

What size bread basket for those Holiday Parties?

Holiday Parties!  Wonderful Bread Baskets for the Table...

There are all shapes and sizes of dinner  rolls!  And all sorts of flavors YUM!

If the dinner roll is about 2" sq, then I use my ceramic bread warmer that is 6" diameter, so it fits in the bottom of my 6.5" basket base( 10-11" top)  and 3" high.  I usually use a matching napkin to display with the basket.  It holds about 10 small rolls.  If it is a buffet, then I put out 2 baskets on either end, since someone always forgets to grab one at first.
For larger dinner rolls, I use a larger basket, with a 12" top and 4" high. 


When I have 10 or more people over, then I use the 12-14" top basket, which is 4" high. I only have the one bread warmer, but it works in the larger basket too.

More people at your table, add another basket! 


Enjoy!


I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
and
Happy New Year!
Peace and Cheers, Jan

Clothesline or Rope?

I use braided cotton clothesline.  It is a medium weight in size 7/32".  I have used 3/16" size, which is usually sold at quilt/fabric stores, but I can not always find that size.  I sometimes find a good braided cotton rope/clothesline at Ocean State Job Lot stores, and they sell it in different lengths.  I usually purchase the large roll of 200 foot for $10.  I also order online the same size thru Amazon, but the line is not as stiff.  I have been to many hardware stores and Home Depot and they carry the cotton clothesline for $2-5 more.

Please send me where you find good clothesline and I will post it here, on my blog. Thanks.