Baskets, Baskets, More Batik Baskets!

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.

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. 

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.

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.


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.

Blue pink and purple batik.

The finished basket.  I used a purple thread on this one.

Yellow and light green batik.

The finished basket from that batik. 

I now have a stack of batik baskets. 

The sizes are pretty uniform

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.

 

The leftover strips of the batik.  I cut the strips by eye, and I don't worry if the width is uniform.

My scrappy basket.  I used a multicolor bright thread on this basket.

Close up of the outside, which shows off the thread, and all the fabulous colors!

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