A Reversible Bread Basket......

I recently participated in a Bread Basket swap

.... I do enjoy the swaps that get me to make things I haven't done before....

I did find a number of tutorials which were wonderful for giving guidelines to size, how and what was needed.... however I did want to do one that was reversible.... so I adapted and thought I would share with you.....

It's not too difficult.... but of course we do need a snack first..... there's a fruit cake on the side-board.....

you do remember to wash hands don't you?

..... we are playing with fabric...

Supplies:

15" square of colour 1 (or adapt size to what suits you)

16" square of batting/wadding (ditto)

16" square of colour 2 (ditto)

2 1/2" strip for binding - about 80" long (I used a neutral linen) (ditto)

perfect project for fat quarters

2 metres of ribbon (80")

..... thread of choice ....

press all your fabrics

you are going to sandwich your pieces to quilt

I am doing straight line quilting here so you do not need to be an experienced quilter (I'm not)

place the larger fabric (colour 2) right side down

I used spray glue (but you can use safety pins - and if you're game a good press with the iron will hold it together (small project)

roll the wadding/batting over the glue sliding your hand and pressing to keep smooth

spray and add the 15" square right side up to the batting

cool... we have a small quilt sandwich

I find using a smaller piece on top means I will be able to see easily when I am 'quilting' it

draw your quilting lines... I used a water soluble pen but chalk or masking tape will do...

it does need to be able to wash out

do first lines 2 3/4" in from the sides at all corners... this will form the shape for the sides of the basket

you can see clearly how I did the lines in this next picture

the 4 lines across to form the shape of the sides

then diagonally from corner to corner (I like the little corner point as it forms the shape when you tie the ribbon)

then I did a criss cross along the base and lines around the sides ... you don't actually need to do anything at all but I would advise the basic 4 lines and corner points to help in getting a nice shape basket....

quilt on the lines

a close up of my quilting lines

and quilted.....

on my gifted one I did an all over free motion design - also with the 4 shape lines....

cut your 2 metres of ribbon into 8 equal pieces

pin them to the edges using your straight quilting lines as a guide... the ribbons go straight over the 2 3/4" lines  - 2 on each side of the square....

here you can see where I am using the quilting line as a guide....

stitch these close to the edge to hold in place

then add your binding ensuring  your ribbons are tucked neatly into place....

join the binding edges whichever is your favourite way....

sew the binding down.....

Done... Side 1

and Side 2

Now this does make a soft basket.... my bloggy friend Shez suggests using a very stiff interfacing and some pellon to get a more firm but soft basket -

and of course you can make the square bigger to make a larger base or higher sides..... (I was given one which is 18" square and has 3.5" sides.... it's lovely)

and of course you can make them rectangle... aah the possibilities are endless

Ooops... sorry I forgot to stop for snacks......

have a cuppa....

Now.. silly me didn't concentrate when I was cutting and cut the fabric while it was folded... so I ended up with 2 pieces of each size....

so I have a 'kit' for the same bread basket

(the ribbons not in the picture but I will get some)

make it for you or for someone else

great for summer BBQ's

just comment here - mention the word BREAD and I'll have a chat to Mr Random at the weekend

I'm trying to keep up with Helen's stitchery Lessons... this was Lesson 1

I need to go and trace out Lesson 2 - backstitch and get it done by the weekend!

I hope you can find your Happy Place today