Quilted Scrap Basket ~~ Tutorial

I got a couple of emails asking me to expand on the idea I wrote about in the "Scraps into Buckets" post on Friday. So I thought about writing a tutorial. Be warned this tutorial is picture heavy and rather long. But I think I've included every detail. If you're a seasoned sewist, you may want to read through and then go do your own thing. 

I still have baskets to make, but the problem is that I've already pieced and quilted the scraps. So we'll begin this tutorial with the idea that you've made a quilt sandwich of at least 16 inches square. I should mention that all of my basket fabrics were densely quilted using many motifs as this is a great way to practice your quilting.

At the cutting table. Cut your quilted fabric to 15 X 15 (photo 1).  I used a Frixion pen to draw lines in each corner indicating where I will cut (photo 2). The yellow ovals indicate where quilting pins are to stabilize the pieces since I cut two baskets at a time using my large titanium scissors. (Rotary cutters are difficult to control in corners.) The lines in step two above are 4½ " long for a medium size basket. (Please ignore what I see now looks like appears to be a bad cut on the bottom, that's a photo manipulation error.)  Photo 3 shows you what the piece looks like after cutting. 

On to the machine. Fold the cut piece on the diagonal so that you can match the two edges of one corner (photo A). When sewing these baskets, I make a straight seam ¼" from the edge, then add a zigzag seam on the inside (see my crazy drawing in photo B). This is to strengthen the seam in case the basket is used to hold heavy, bulky items. Once both sides of the basket are stitched, you can refold the basket to sew the other two sides. This is a little difficult because the basket does not want to fold flat (photo C); use a couple of pins and avoid pushing the center of the basket since that may warp the seam. Again sew a straight line and a zigzag line against the edge.

Binding. You should now have a box shape (well, sort of anyway) and are ready to finish off the top. I have tried a couple of ways to do this, and believe me, I have some messy baskets to prove it. I've finally settled on one technique that works well for me. 

Cut a strip of binding 1½"  X 16". Turn the basket so that the seams are on the inside and pin the binding around the top edge (photo A). TIP: Now is a good time to add your label. Double check your binding to connect the ends: there should be a 1½" overlap. Anything over needs to be cut off. Fold and pin as in photo C. Cut the excess and finger-press the seam open (photo D).  You can now sew the binding completely around the basket. TIP: Take your time, stop often and readjust. Otherwise, the basket will catch on everything in its path and derail your stitching. 

Once the first part of the binding is sewn, turn the basket so that the seam side is out. Flip the binding up (photo A); then fold it in half (photo B) and in half again (photo C). Pin well and edge stitch (photo D). TIP: Take your time and try to make a neat seam as this one will show. All Done!

Squaring up. I spent a great deal of time trying to get my basket into square shapes. It was one of those things that I had to prove to myself. So I pressed. Then I sprayed water and pressed. I used steam. I tried sizing. Finally, I had an idea! 

My secret: weight. (No, not mine but I considered...) I digress. 

First you have to press with the iron to set the lines. Use the seams to figure out where the fold lines are at the bottom of the basket. Fold and press from the bottom end  of one seam across to the seam on it's side (corner to corner). Do all four bottom lines; then do the side seams. 

Now you can fold the basket into a box shape. Think of a paper bag fold. First push the sides inward (photo A); as the sides fold, the bag will collapse in on itself (photo B). That's a good thing, so hold it if possible. Check that the edges are straight and pin (photo C). Then put something with weight on top of the basket (photo D). 

I leave the weight on the bags for a day or so. I also stack several bags on top or beside each other and use the same weight. Of course, heavy books will work, but I've been using a plastic container of fabric (really anything heavy but clean) and I'm quite satisfied with the result. 

This nesting stack shows the difference between the two that have been weighted (as opposed to pressing with an iron) and the top one which has not been weighted.

Nest your baskets. I used an easy formula to create my nesting baskets. I cut all of my quilted fabric the same 15" square. The corners are where I made the changes. I started with the 4½" and then cut the next one 4" and the last one 5½".  The changes are very subtle but it's just enough to do the job. 

Thanks for visiting and making it to the end! I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and that it answers all of your questions. If not, please let me know in the comments. Do you plan to make a few quilted baskets or have you? I'd love to know how they turned out!

Linking Up with the Party Queens

Crazy Mom Quilts

My Quilt Infatuation

Busy Hands Quilts

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Brag About It @ My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies

Small finishes: NICU Gowns

I've been quietly working on more NICU gowns to donate to St. Francis Cabrini Hospital. It's the closest hospital that addresses the needs of neonatal babies and is a Children's Miracle Network hospital. 

I'm not sure how many are ready to go, but there are quite a few. I've sewn these on and off for the last few years as a simple way to make the world better. Catholics believe that we should give of our talent, time and treasure during the Lenten season. Making these tiny gowns is a way to live the life of a Christian. 

Because I try to work on lots of gowns at a time, I make them in assembly line fashion. I cut out about 25 or so gowns for step one. In step two, I sew the lining and fabric pieces together leaving only the neck open for turning and clip the threads. Then comes step three: turning the gown right side out. 

Cut, sewn, turned, ready for neck closure

Step four is consists of sewing the neck opening, which is perhaps the most difficult part because there's a slight curve to deal with. Adding the Velcro is step five. Pressing is step six. Sometimes I mix it up a little, but really this is my best procedure when making 20+ gowns.  

Next step: sew on the Velcro pieces

I'm adding another step after pressing. That is to sew a fast top-stitch to the body of the gown after pressing. I find that the cotton wrinkles and requires so much pressing after washing that I just need to try a new approach. If top-stitching saves me from having to pick the seam out of a wrinkle inch by inch, it will be worth the few seconds of sewing. 

I've top-stitched a few gowns and will wash and dry them to see whether the stitching helps. Either way, ironing is the last step because I always wash, dry and press before I deliver the gowns.  

If you're interested in making some of these NICU gowns, you can find the tutorial and pattern here.  Someone asked the size of the gown, but I don't think it matters so much. I drew the pattern on a sheet of 8½ X 11 paper and just filled the entire sheet. 

I've never measured the gown, but babies come in all sizes. They may weight only four pounds when they first wear clothing, so even if the gowns seem really small, don't fret. If the pattern is too big for the paper, it's too big for NICU babies, and you'll need to resize it.

Much more important is that you use small pieces of hook and loop tape (Velcro) for closures--I use about ¾ to 1 inch--and remember to wash in mild detergent. I always use two rinses to make sure I remove all of the detergent (even though I use All Free). I want the babies to look cute and cuddly, not have an allergic reaction.

Linking up with 

Crazy Mom Quilts (go check out her cute pixie basket)

Pin It Weekly #115

Baskets!  

For organizing ~~

And if you're into organizing, check out this "OCD" board, it's well worth your time...

For decorating ~~

Neat stuff I found while looking for baskets ~~

Review of Fruit Basket Tutorial

About three years ago I posted a tutorial on how to create a gift basket.  I still use this method for making gift baskets and try to keep the supplies on hand so that when I need a quick gift, 
this go-to idea is ready.  Of course, it means I have to pick up the items that will go into the basket, but that's just a quick trip to the grocery store for fruit and something for contrast, such as chips, crackers, or cheese.  


I thought it would be useful to you, as well.  It's easy to pull the items together and you can use the basket idea to make many other gifts.  For example, load the basket with gourmet coffees for a coffee connoisseur; wine and cheese for a wine aficionado; loofah, scrubbers, oils and lotions for a spa lover; or books with a reading light and pretty bookmark for your favorite reader.  Really, you're limited only by your imagination and the size of your basket.


Now is a good time to pick up baskets.  I like to have a few extra on hand and don't worry too much about buying the fancy, expensive ones.  I think the items in the basket are what count in this case. The dollar stores are great places to pick up a few cheap plastic ones. Of course, I've been known to give beautiful baskets to those who really appreciate a decorative basket.  Perhaps most important is that this is a great way to show that you know the recipient well.

After all, you are choosing items especially for that person and so it makes sense that you'd pick up some things that he/she really wants or needs.  Additional baskets ideas may include

• ribbons, bows and pretty papers for someone who loves to wrap beautiful gifts\
• games and snacks for a family with children
• favorite cookies, cupcakes, etc. for a snack-aholic
• DVD, microwave popcorn, drinks and candy for a movie buff
• paper, washi tape, punches, and stamps for the paper crafter
• lighter and many scented candles 
• whisk, spatula, mixes and frosting for the baker

• craft paints, small canvases, brushes, etc. for the crafter
• fat quarters, thread, needles, small scissors for the quilter
• embroidery thread, hoop, canvas or fabric for the needlewoman
• all of the ingredients for someone's favorite soup or casserole

Pinterest is full of ideas...just search gift basket ideas.


Here's hoping you find my build a basket tutorial useful now that the holidays are upon us.

"the collective whole is my stash"

Pinterest photo

I was reading Rachel's post at "ps I quilt" (one of my regular reads). Lisa Lee's comment, "To me the collective whole is my stash" really spoke to me.  How succinctly Lisa Lee said exactly what I was thinking. 

scrap basket I made for a non-quilting
friend who gives me her scraps

The post asked about the difference between scraps and stash.  Before long, I began wondering why there has to be a distinction. 

Oh, I understand that there are those quilters who are a little OCD and need lines.  But some of us are a bit more laid back, and others simply don't know or make distinctions between scraps and stash.  I'm in the last of the three, sort of. 

I do now separate scraps simply because I have a way of doing so: this dark blue fabric basket--made from scraps. (I wrote about it here.)  But scraps are, in my mind at least, still part of the stash.  I make an effort to use the scraps so that they don't build up to overflowing, but I don't get crazy about it. 

I don't know that it matters as long as your system works for you.  For those who don't have a system, take your time in setting one up.  I have been in my studio for years and only recently began separating scraps.  I'm not sure that I even like this new way either, so I'm going to try it for a while.  If it doesn't work, I'll go back to the system I was using before: everything goes on the shelves.  In the meantime my little homemade scrap basket will do.
Happy Quilting,
Mary

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: No-UFO

Here we go.....a little inspiration to help you get going on that UFO that's been sitting around for years, or maybe to get from idea to fabric to quilt sandwich, or perhaps to try your hand at free-motion quilting.  Whatever it is that's got you stonewalled, I have a few thoughts on ways to get off the wall and on the machine!

Quit calling them UFO's!  I know, it's cute and all, but the problems sometimes lie in the labels.  Instead of labeling the quilt a UFO, call it a quilt or quilt section.  The sections will be a quilt one day soon, if you think of your work as quilts rather than something that you won't finish.

Forget the original thought of the project.  Sometimes a quilt wants to be a table runner.  Sometimes it wants to be a lap quilt, not a queen.  Honor your work and listen to it.  I worked for weeks on this blue paisley quilt that, in my mind, had to be queen size.  I struggled and struggled, put it away and came back to it months later, still unable to figure out how to get a queen sized quilt out of what I had.   I finally listened to the quilt and saw that I was pushing myself to make a large quilt only because I always made full or queen.  I gave in and made a pretty little twin quilt for a granddaughter to sleep under.

Remember how to eat an elephant...one bite at a time.  In the case of quilt-making, it's one block at a time.  Don't fret over the whole thing.  Instead, focus on the one part you are working on.  Sure, there are times when you look back at what is complete, but don't let the big picture blind you from the focus of what is important right now.  This small quilt is made up of many left over pieces from other projects.  I knew only that I wanted an AAQI quilt with a theme dealing with being broken or fractured.
 

 Give it away, go on, give it.  Finish the sections by turning them into pillows, bags, or baskets and give them to friends as gifts.    Again, not every quilt must be, well, a quilt.  Once a section is sewn together, it can be any quilted project.  And quilt parts would much rather be gifts than UFO's!  The Christmas stocking here became a giveaway gift for a blog hop sponsored by Quilting Gallery.

Want to give it away but don't have a recipient in mind?  Donate small quilts made from sections to AAQI or make lap quilts for a nursing home.  This is an AAQI quilt that I made from a log cabin block I'd made for a project that just didn't work out. 

Finally, just do it!  Yes, jump in and finish the thing already!  Regardless of whether you change directions, create a gift, or finish by using your original plans, just get to it.  I finished several projects last year (2012) by forcing myself to work on UFO's.  I promised myself that I would finish one UFO before starting any new project.  This allowed me use the new projects as incentive to finish the UFO projects.  It worked--I wrapped up all but one of the UFO projects in the closet.

You can do it, too!  It's a matter of getting to it and staying there.
Have a great week of knocking out those no-UFO's!
Happy Quilting,
Mary