June 17, 2015

My Colorful Baskets

Since it's mid June, it's about time I get May's MidCenturyModern bee blocks done don't you think?
If you saw my last blog post you know I'm behind due to lots of family events plus a little (ok, a lot) of procrastination mixed in for good measure.

Carla of Grace and Favour has been more than patient and understanding of my tardiness. Now I'm happy to say your blocks are done Carla. Here's my first basket block. Isn't it cute?



I think I procrastinated on this one because I have never made bias tape. Yes, it's true. I've never made my own bias tape. These little baskets don't really need very long pieces though . . . 12-15 inches will do. I followed Elizabeth's directions found here and they came together quite nicely. Don't know what I was afraid of. I didn't have the nifty pressing bar that Elizabeth used for hers so I made my own with a stiff, thin piece of chipboard. I cut my bias strips 1 1/2" wide and the chip board strip 1/2" wide x 14' long. To help slip it into the sewn strip, I rounded one end and it worked great. Thanks for the great little tutorial on baskets Elizabeth. It helped me over the hump.


Pinning the bias strip in place and easing a nice curve in preparation for stitching the inside edge.



Inside edge stitched and ready for the outside edge. A good press and it lays down just fine.


Here are my finished blocks for Carla. Making them was addictive once I got started.



I think they look so good all lined up together and am hoping my colors/fabrics will play well with the others Carla has received. Check out her baskets here and get a good sounding recipe for quinoa too. 

These blocks are a great way to use up scrappy chunks for the basket part. I really had so much fun that I'm thinking about making my own basket quilt now. Perhaps I'll use some of the fruit fabrics I have to make a Fruit Basket quilt. Or maybe an all Kaffe basket version. hmmmm . . . the possibilities are endless . . . 



My favorite baskets are the two in the lower left. Which one is your favorite?

Linking up with WIP Wednesday after a long hiatus.




9 comments:

  1. My fav would be the basket with the golden yellow background... but all of them are pretty! Oh procrastination... we put things off only to find it wasn't as hard as we thought... happens to me ALL the time. Happy stitching!

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are so fun and playful! love the Kaffes

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your baskets look really nice. Love the one in the lower right! Sometimes I have been known to put stuff off too and then once I do something I am always amazed at how easy it was and wonder why I put it off so long. Did you get your Blog list back?

    ReplyDelete
  4. All so pretty but my favorite is the one on the top right! I love that everyone has a different favorite! Now don't procrastinate about the June block- that one is a labor intensive one!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. As usual Anne I love your use of colour! You should come to Australia one day - you would love the bright colours here.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I tried to pick a favorite and changed my mind three times before giving up. They are all delightful! Now I want to make some...

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm in love with them all! I'm sorry you were nervous about them. I had suggested fusing the handle down which means no bias. Either way, these are awesome! I hope you do make a basket quilt : )

    ReplyDelete
  8. Pretty and colourful baskets! The handles look wonderful!

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy blocks! My favorite is the one in the lower left. A large print looks really great there.

    ReplyDelete

WaHoo!!! You're leaving me a comment. Thanks for stopping by and do come back again. Quilt on, Anne.