Saturday, July 02, 2011

Fabric Basket

Some time ago, I cut a lot of my smaller fabric pieces into strips of varying widths.  I've been incorporating them into quilts, but recently, I found this excellent tutorial on making fabric baskets, and I had fun making a scrappy basket of my own.


I used 1.5" strips that I folded over on the exposed edge as I wrapped the cotton clothesline rope. This eliminated the raw edges that could produce a lot of loose threads.  You could also cut strips on the bias.

I used up lots of narrow strips, and a lot of neutral thread. The finished basket used 96 feet of rope.  I also went through several needles before I realized that using the needle down setting was bending them.

I love the swirling colors and it was very meditative winding the fabric around the rope and sewing around and around.


While I was making this basket I bought 100 feet of cotton cording from JoAnn Fabric (with a coupon) for a second basket.  I think I'll coordinate the colors on the next one.


This made a nice sturdy basket and I used up a staggering amount of fabric strips. 



I'm using this one as a knitting basket, though I can see making cat beds and tote bags using this technique. 

8 comments:

DebbyMc said...

LOVE it! My sister made one of these last year and I loved that one, too...Such a great idea =-)

Debra Dixon said...

a staggering amount of fabric strips? that got my attention!

I like the colorful approach on your basket (better than the planned ones I have seen).

Finn said...

A very creative and attractive way to get those narrower strips used. The basket is charming! And you're right, I can see that as a kitty bed or a tote bag very easily. Folding over to avoid the multitude of strings is a great tip! Hugs, Finn

Judy S. said...

I just LOVE it, Barbara! What a neat stash buster!

Catherine Arnold said...

Love the shape!

Rian said...

WOW! Is that cool! I can see hundreds of uses for these.

Magpie Sue said...

One of my friends has made small baskets/bowls out of batiks and some fabric she dyed herself. They're stunning. I would be willing to send you some of my strips if you want to do more. I'm fairly confident that this is something I will never undertake ;- )

Susan Elliott said...

Love this idea and yours came out beautifully. Your shape is quite nice...and I mean your bowl.

Do you just wrap the strips around the cording? I've always wanted to make a throw rug this way...

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