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Batik Baskets Galore! |
A few weeks back, I got involved in trying my hand at making coiled clothesline fabric baskets. My first attempt was laughable; my progress was noted in
my previous post.
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My first itty bitty fabric basket! |
Although my plan had been to use up scraps with these basket projects, I made one of the earlier baskets with some batik fabric I had left over from a 2009 project.
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The batik fabric,which has deep red, blue and golden tan tones. |
I loved how the basket turned out from this fabric. It was just what I had envisioned when I started this project.
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The completed basket. The batik colors photograph so differently in different lights. |
So much for scraps! I headed out to the fabric store for some batiks. I decided to see what I could do with a fat quarter. I also found some clothesline which was a cotton with a poly core, which seemed to hold its shape much better than a 100% cotton line. I also began to make the bottoms of the bowls a standard size (about 4 inches), and the bowls finished with 13 loops around. The finished bowls are 2 1/2 inches high, and about 6 1/2 to 7 inches wide.
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The first few batik baskets |
After I had made about a half dozen baskets, it occurred to me that I should take a picture of the batik before cutting into little 1/2 inch strips. The batik pattern gets transformed so completely in the basket making. I was attracted to patterns that had some good contrast.
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Blue pink and purple batik. |
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The finished basket. I used a purple thread on this one. |
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Yellow and light green batik. |
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The finished basket from that batik. |
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I now have a stack of batik baskets. |
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The sizes are pretty uniform |
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More of the baskets |
I ended up with some scraps from these baskets, usually one little strip or a bit more. I also had a shorter length of rope and decided to make my own scrappy basket, trying out a much smaller (2 inch) base.
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The leftover strips of the batik. I cut the strips by eye, and I don't worry if the width is uniform. |
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My scrappy basket. I used a multicolor bright thread on this basket. |
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Close up of the outside, which shows off the thread, and all the fabulous colors! |
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This shows the conical shape and smaller base. |
It is possible that some of the batik baskets will be given as gifts this Christmas. This little scrap basket, however, is all mine!
I haven't abandoned quilting! I have two quilt tops finished, and have fabric for two more assembled and ready to cut.
Enjoy the fall!
Take care,
Gretchen
Absolutely beautiful! I wanted to make batik baskets now I KNOW I want to make batik baskets. Your work is amazing. I like the use of the colored thread. I especially liked your scrap bowl! I'm going to get some batik so I can make some. I noticed batik can be a little pricey. Any suggestions where I can get some inexpensively?
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DeleteDianne, thank you for the nice comments! Occasionally, Joanne Fabrics marks down pre cut fat quarters, and usually have some batiks available. I purchased a variety of batiks that way. I ended up sizing the baskets for they used only a single fat quarter each based upon my wrapping technique. I know many of the fabric web sites also have batiks, but I haven't order them much. I do order plenty of other fabric! Enjoy making your bowls. I had a blast with them.