A Slice of Watermelon Basket - Fabric Coiled

I love summer, especially all of the fresh fruit! If you look in my refrigerator in the summer months, there is sure to be a big bowl of fruit salad and watermelon! I love the fabric for this basket. The design is just the right size so that you can still see the design after wrapping the fabric. It is patterned with slices of watermelon over a blue and white plaid background. The basket has two curvy loop handles that decorate the sides. Origainally, I made two basic handles for the basket, but I wanted to make it a bit fancier, so I gave them each a twist. This adorable basket is made using the fabric coiling technique. It measures 6 inches across the top of the base and is 2.25 inches high. This basket would look great in the kitchen, out on the patio or on your desk. Visit My Etsy Shop if you are interested in purchasing this basket.


UPCOMING BLOGS
*Comparing Techniques of It's a Wrap by Susan Breier and Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan
*My latest Baskets
*How to Make Different Types of Coiled Fabric Handles

Book Review of Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan

Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan is a very inspirational book. I love how each section is set up with a new type of project and one for you to try at the end. She is very encouraging to have you experiment with different types of cording as well as fabrics and techniques. The book has instructions for both hand sewn baskets and machine sewn. She also gives instructions for how to make patterned baskets by using stripes and multiple colored fabrics. The only draw back I found is that since she included so many ideas in this one book, her descriptions are as thorough as they could be. She does include some photos with text to help you get started. I would recommend this as a second book to purchase if you are interested in fabric coiling projects. One technique that made this book worthwhile for me to buy was to wrap as you go. It's a Wrap suggests wrapping fabric ahead of time and then sewing. The advantage of wrapping as you go is you do not have to spend a couple hours wrapping fabric before getting started and you can change colors at the correct spot if you are creating a multi colored basket. I find that if I am making a large basket, I like to wrap the fabric before I start, but with a smaller project, I like to wrap as I go!

If you would like to read the book review I wrote for It's a Wrap, by Susan Beier, click HERE.

Happy Hour - Time for a Margarita!

It's Friday and it's Happy Hour Somewhere. I chose to name this basket with a margarita theme, because the whole time I was working on it I thought that the color reminded me of margaritas. This festive basket will be a great accent to store those little necessities needed for your next happy hour gathering. This would be the perfect hostess gift if you are attending a Cinco de Mayo Party! The base of this basket measures 6.25 inches across the top and is 2 inches high. It is decorated with single loop handles on each side.

This basket is for sale in My Etsy Shop.
CHEERS!

Freddie the Frog

So, my 10 month old son is always trying to get at the cording for my baskets. I decided to make him a toy with some cording. With Spring Fling Contest for Fabulous Artistic Moms of Etsy and seeing this polka dot green fabric at JoAnn's, I knew that I was destined to make a frog. I think that we will name him Freddie the Frog. His arms and legs are made from cording wrapped with fabric, just like I use for my baskets. I think that I would use a thinner ribbon for the tongue next time! Sometimes you need to take time out to be a mom; so instead of making a basket for my shop this week, I made a toy for the little guy. This week I will be making him an Easter Basket. Stay tuned for photos of his Basket!

Upcoming Blog Entries (Not necessarily in this order):
*Book Review of Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan
*Comparing Techniques of It's a Wrap by Susan Breier and Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan
*My latest Baskets
*How to Make Different Types of Coiled Fabric Handles

Spring Medley Oval Basket - Fabric Coiled

Spring is on its way! Brighten up any room with this basket. It is made with white fabric covered with tiny blue and yellow flowers. The specially made flower handles add extra decoration to this beautiful basket. The top of this basket measures 8 x 10.5 inches and is 3.5 inches high. As with any basket, it is truly one of a kind and would make the perfect gift for a birthday, anniversary, hostess, mother's day, or even for yourself! This basket and others are for sale in my Etsy Shop. Just click on the photo of the basket to visit my shop.

To make the handles, I made a round center by cutting a circular piece of fabric and sewing around the edge. Then I cinched it up tight. Next, I looped the wrapped cording into petals. I had so much fun making the flower handles.