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.

Great Fabrics to Use!

There are so many wonderful fabrics today!  The choices are endless!
Here are just a couple more ideas for making baskets.

I love this rich brown tiger batik fabric for the pattern.
I used it for a lovely contrast.

I'm making a magazine rack/basket for my sister!
She loves puzzles and bright colors!
I made pillow shams for her couch using the fun black batik, so this will match!

Fun Table Mats to match too! 
These trivets are machine washable on gentle with cold water, then AIR DRY!


I can't wait to try these fun fabrics!

Fabric Choices on Pinterest

Pinterest is such fun!
I have pinned many lovely fabrics that would be great for a basket,
check them out!

Another nice customer asked about how to choose the fabric for a basket, which is not easy sometimes.  I will have to remember to take pictures of the fabrics before I cut! 

Sometimes I just can't wait to see how the basket will turn out!
I will post more examples soon.

 I love this brown flannel with the blue and green highlights.
All those shades of brown and tan are very rich.
The little bit of black adds great contrast too.

Isn't this great for a boy's room!

I call this lovely white print, blue jazz.
It goes with a so many colors, it is hard to decide what contrast to add. 
So, I didn't!
I made 2 baskets, I love both the blue and  the green based baskets!

No more plastic shopping bags!

I love this size basket for shopping.

It fits right in the top of any shopping cart.
And It is so pretty, I don't forget it!

Yeah! no more plastic bags!


The base has a center strip 4" long, with the base 6"w x 10"l, and it is 7"high, so it doesn't fall over!  I can fit so much in it too!

Since this is smaller than my other baskets, it goes everywhere with me.

Both fabrics are from the "Gems of the Sea" fabric collection by Janet Broxon with lovely blue and aqua waves and whimsical dots adding lots of fun!

Wonderful Batik Fabrics

I love all batik fabrics!  The colors are so rich, I just can't resist them!

I use mostly multi-colored batiks in my baskets.  The pattern is not as important as the colors!  I usually use small to medium batik motifs, since they seem to have great color depth.  I love to add a little bit of a gorgeous monotone or two tone batik to my baskets to make colors pop!

I love this Autumn batik, with the big bold floral pattern.   I made this little itty bitty basket using left overs from a quilt border.  I love the bold colors with all the different shades of brown and tan.  The pattern is lost in the basket, but the colors are still amazing. 

I used this bold batik as the base of this basket, so that the contrast brings out the colors in both batiks.  Love it!

 

The lovely tan batik below has so many rich colors, that it can stand on it's own!
But I added a blue base to make the bottom and inside of the basket pop! 

Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my! 
(Yes, this fabric had cheetahs and leopards too.)
I finally found a gorgeous animal print fabric!
It has many many colors and rich shades!
Ahhh, there wasn't even a yard left! 

I added a black contrast strip and a dark base
to make the colors pop in the upper fabric.

The base is a wonderful two-tone batik with a tiger stripe motif.