It's starting to feel a little bit like a sweatshop in my sewing room - I've been working on a lot of the same thing the last week, which is a bit unlike me. I'm trying to plow through my end-of-the-year preschool teacher gifts as well as some of the recipients on my Pay It Forward list.
I love Anna's great
Divided Basket pattern. Have you made one yet? I highly recommend it,
Anna's patterns are so easy to follow. I've officially made four of these baskets now, and I love each one dearly. I guess that's what happens when you use fabric you love. :)
The first one I made was for
Marla, as a part of a post Stash Bash swap, using some of Ellen Luckett Baker's first line for Kokka,
Stamped. I really love the colors in this one, and I was so pleased with how easily the whole thing came together. Seriously, I think the fabric and interfacing cutting took more longer than the actual sewing!
Then I decided to cut into some of my favorite
Ruby Star Sparkle by Melody Miller for a PIF (pay-it-forward) gift. I only had a half-yard, so on the back side of the basket, the phones are upside down, but I think it's kind of endearing that way.
I wanted to do one more PIF (pay-it-forward) gift basket, so I pulled out a stack of Anna Maria Horner fabrics, and grabbed the one on top, a cut from Innocent Crush. As soon as I picked up the stack, I knew who this basket would be for (but I'm not telling yet!!). Because Innocent Crush is a quilting weight fabric instead of a canvas or home dec fabric, like the pattern suggests, I used two layers of interfacing for extra stability - Pellon Fusible Fleece, as the pattern calls for, and a layer of Pellon Craft Fuse, another fusible that I tend to use a lot of. It worked out quite well, so I will definitely do that again if I use a quilting cotton for this pattern.
The last basket I worked on put some new fabric to use - a cheater Kokka patchwork fabric I got in Portland at
Bolt. I saw Susan, the owner of
The Quilt Asylum, walking around with this bolt, and she was generous enough to let me have a half-yard off of it. The lining is an Aneela Hoey print from Sew Stitchy, which I thought would make a cute lining for this divided basket. It would make a great scrap basket, don't you think? I've decided now I definitely need to make one for me if I wind up giving this adorable one away.
What about you? Do you like to sew the same project again and again? Have a great Wednesday!
I'm with you on this pattern - I've also made 4 of them so far and have more in the near future! It's my new favorite thing to sew.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a great pattern? I made Easter baskets with the pattern with only 1 handle so the kids can carry them easier. Yours are really cute!
ReplyDelete:) Love em all. Mine is getting a lot of use and holding up beautifully. The purple snippets holder we got at The Stash Bash fits perfectly in one side. With small projects - like bags and pouches I like to make them a few times to really perfect the techniques but with big quilts I like to try something new every time.
ReplyDeleteI tend to not like sewing the same thing over and over, but that is such a great pattern. The bags are all fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThese are great. I got on a tote kick and cranked a bunch out. I'm really wanting to try this pattern especially since I received one as as part of a recent retreat swag.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I managed to make only one of these, but I am definitely inspired by your post to make more!
ReplyDeleteJulie @ The Crafty Quilter
These are fabulous, Elizabeth! Love your fabric combinations. I have Anna's patter and am anxious to try it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, this is a great pattern. Great directions and easier to put together than you'd imagine. I bought it as three friends were expecting babies, so I knew it would get plenty of use. The first basket was delivered today, I wish I'd put a bit more interfacing in as you suggest but it was well received none the less. Two more to go!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the baskets. I tend to get bored on #3 of anything starting from scratch, so I try and production line things so they all get done at about the same time
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I actually don't like to sew the same thing over and over BUT sometimes I like something so much I can't help making them for others - like my Wordy Mouse Pad - I'll probably still make another!
ReplyDeleteI haven't made this pattern ~ yet. And yes, I do like to do the same patterns over again, especially when friends and family really like whatever I've made.
ReplyDeleteLoving this divided basket ~ really like the one with the telephones
Great job, I dont usually do 2 of anything... but this would serve a good purpose, love you color choices.
ReplyDeleteThese baskets are each so cute!
ReplyDeleteJust right now I am making four drawstring bags! I started out making two but figured I would just use up the piece I used for the main part of the bags. They are turning out so cute, of course.
ReplyDeleteHave to make those baskets, too.
ReplyDeleteI recently finished a little bag with pleats, a handy purse and am currently working on a little bear. Next will be a hat for my little one.