Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Back to a Basket

I've been wanting to work with these fabric coiled baskets again, with the thought of playing with color palettes, almost in an abstract way. I also wanted to make one up as a housewarming gift and this one using leftovers from the Sea and Sand quilt should do the trick. The new house has a bit of water view off over the trees. Rather than put that leftover yellow from the binding in the center per the example in the book, I've placed it at the bottom as if you were standing at water's edge. The trimmings of the batik backing is the next layer up, once the water gets deep enough you can't see the sandy bottom anymore. And a few rounds of darker blue to be added at the top is what you might see the farther towards the horizon you gaze.

Working with this color palette reminds me how much I love it. I especially like the way the hand-dyed yellow looks in the base of the basket. I've been too frugal in the past, thinking hand-dyes and batiks too "special" and expensive for a project like this. It's easier to incorporate them when cuttings from another project present themselves as scraps rather than having to cut into, say, a full yard of pristine fabric. I also find the wrapping process as soothing and relaxing as that color palette.

6 comments:

Olga Norris said...

Like you, Sheila, I love this range of colours together. I'm sure your friend will be delighted with the basket. Lovely.

The Inside Stori said...

Great way to continue the use of fabrics you love…..with great results.

Sherrie Spangler said...

Baskets are always wonderful to make.

Charlton Stitcher said...

A lovely colour combination, reminiscent of hot days by the sea. A lovely gift for your friend.

Christine Staver said...

Really beautiful. You make me want to try making a basket. I do have a question about what sewing machine is that in the photo?

The Idaho Beauty said...

My palette and project seem to have struck a chord - thank you! And I suspected someone would ask about that machine. It is my first computerized sewing machine, Viking (Husqvarna) Model 990 purchased back in the '80's. Built like a tank with metal where they now substitute plastic. Still hums along and is a joy to use for basic stitching and piecing. But although it is the machine I learned to free motion quilt on, it has its limitations as well as a quirk particular to this model that drove me to seek out a second machine with features that would make machine quilting easier. That would be my Viking Sapphire 850 which among other cool features, has a fairly wide harp. I'm very loyal to Viking!