I'm looking for a basket pattern & don't have the dimensions yet, but know the blocks are usually 12 in square. It's for donation to RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) and I may make a few variations. The majority will go into lap quilts for ill community members & a few go into a sampler, the proceeds of which are used for club expenses. I think it's in October, but I want to get it done before the kids are back in school and soccer and basketball :shock: and dance LOL. Thanks in advance for your ideas. :D

http://piecebynumber.com/pastbom/1catpatt.htm is cute paper pieced kitten in a basket. only 6" but you could put it on point. Is there any particular method you like? You can applique ANYTHING in a basket - look through your scraps. You can fussy cut anything and pile it up in a basic basket shape.

Moonpi,
Thanks for your quick response. I haven't yet attempted paper piecing or applique...maybe it's time to check out something new and learn in this process. That'd be nice. I have seen the piecing ones and while they are very nice, they seem very much the same, you know? I love the little kitty basket and checked out another that I think is neat in applique. They are giving it away with purchases at Piece O' Cake but must not have been doing it yet when I ordered the DVD (or I didn't think to ask). Something similar to the nice rounded edges of this one would be perfect for trying applique the first time I would think....http://www.pieceocake.com/Patterns/MomsBaskets/MomsBaskets.html
Someone also posted not long ago about making a strip pieced block and I thought that would be a cool base for cutting the basket out of, kinda unusual. I just want it to stand out. I'm sure I won't make the big quilt, but I'd like a center of a lap quilt LOL. Why not go for it, right? :lol:

Did you make the checkerboard construction paper hearts as a kid? I have seen basket blocks done that way in ribbon, and they were beautiful. - kind of a crazy quilt feel. the colors were braided loosely for the handles.

I went through a phase where I made half a dozen or more basket quilts. They are always striking. With all the great fruit prints out now, it could be a fun quilt just using fruit basket variations.. I have one in an old book that has the basket filled completely with one calico cat - buttons foe eyes and details embroidered in.

hi retro, try the quilter's cache. they have tons of interesting stuff.

I did a basket made out of strips of fabrics as opposed to pieced patterns. I didn't take much extra time, but it was different.

Moonpi, thanks for the web site... I love finding new sites with so many free patterns. Thanks again. Quilter 1234