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.

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!