Originally Posted by karenm36
Originally Posted by karenm36
Well, here's my first attempt at a tutorial. Please bear with me...there are over 40 pictures that show the step by step procedure so it's going to take awhile to upload all these pics!
With each picture there will be a caption describing (as best I can) what is occurring in each step. Hopefully the pics and written instructions working together will make things pretty clear.
Please note that this technique is NOT original to me by any means! I purchased the book, "It's a Wrap...Sewing Fabric Purses, Baskets, and Bowls" by Susan Breier and used her method for making this basket.
Overall, I have enjoyed the 2 baskets I have made. I will probably make more but be forewarned...if you choose to make one, it will take time! This is not a "quicky" project. Now if you make something like a placemat or coaster the project won't take long, but if you want a nice basket that you would use for yourself or give to a friend, I do recommend taking your time and enjoy the process (though it's a bit tedious) because in the end, the results will be something that you will be really pleased with!
Best of luck to all who decide to try this! blessings, Karen
Well, after being moved to chit-chat this tute has now been returned to the tutorial section. (A thank you to whoever did this, I do appreciate this!) I will continue to add pics and instructions and hopefully if you are following this all the steps will be here as I just have to add them as an additional post and not as a "new attachment".
Finishing up the tute...here's the rest of the pics and instructions for finishing the basket.
This part was something I came up with on my own. I wanted a cover for the basket that could be used when needed and tucked away when not needed. I just took the remainder of my purple print fabric and finished the edges on both sides. Then I sewed the 2 ends together making a continuous piece. Anticipating using a drawstring of some sorts, then I made a narrow strip (finishing the edges as well) and sewed it onto this tube of fabric. (this narrow strip was left open at the seam as it will be the casing for the drawstring and this is where the string will be guided into the casing and come out on the other side)
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Carefully pin the fabric to the inside of the basket making sure the gathers are as even as possible.
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I used a contrasting thread to baste everything before placing it under the machine to sew.
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Sewing the basket cover on making sure the fabric is to the RIGHT of your needle. You don't want it underneath the basket or it will cover your binding. You want it to be INSIDE your binding when it's done.
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This is the basket with the fabric cover attached. Remember this is optional...you do not need to add this step at all.
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The next step is to make a handle if you choose to. I made each handle out of 51 inches of covered clothesline. Once the clothesline was wrapped I then did a zigzag stitch to secure the fabric well.
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I folded the clothesline in thirds and started creating the basic shape of it. Then stitched across it to secure everything before attaching it to the basket.
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Pinned into place and then I sewed it onto the basket by hand. I also went through all three cords from side to side of the handle to form the handle into one piece.
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Using thread you can see that I was able to sculpt the handle a bit, refining it's shape. I then embellished it with a yoyo, beads and another decorative ornament.
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Close up of the handle. Now make another one to match.
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Inside of the basket
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The finished basket is about 8 inches across
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The basket is about 6 inches tall excluding the handles.
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The finished basket with all the extra bling added
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Back of the basket. Originally, I wrapped some clothesline to make the drawstring but I decided it was too stiff and wouldn't wear well. So I just made a drawstring from some left over fabric from the basket...and it works much better.
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Front with the cover in the up position in case someone wants to cover a lot of stuff! I have a light weight sweatshirt jacket in here just to hold it up...so you can see that this can hold a lot of stuff!
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