Monday 26 May 2014

Fabric Basket ~ Umbrella Prints Trimmings

QAYG Fabric Basket ~ Threading My Way
I've just finished my latest fabric basket, this time made with trimmings from Umbrella Prints. Last year I had good intentions of entering the annual Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition, but my crazy patchwork zippered pouch didn't make the cut off date. This year I've finished a QAYG fabric basket with a few days to spare.



Same as last year, I chose to make something with blue trimmings. I've long admired the quilt as you go (QAYG) projects made by Ros, from Sew Delicious:
and thought these small pieces of fabric would look great made into QAYG panels.


Using the QAYG Patchwork Panel Tutorial, by Oh Fransson, I joined my fabric pieces to make two panels, only needing to add four small pieces of grey and bone fabric from my stash, as well as two larger pieces which form the base of the basket.


My quilting lines are 1/4" apart, so there's a fair amount of sewing involved, but it's a really easy process and doesn't take that long. The end result is worth any time involved. The stitching lines could definitely be spaced further apart to speed up the process. I'm not sure why I decided on 1/4", but once I'd started there was no going back.


Before I added the bone fabric that would form the base of the basket, I sewed two pieces of piping cord to each panel. They are simply attached with a wide zig zag stitch, sewing over each cord several times. As well as being visually appealing, the piping cord adds a little extra structure to the bag. Not that the basket needs structure, as the QAYG and batting make for a basket that stands up well by itself.


This fabric basket is loosely based on my fabric basket tutorial. The top of the new basket is finished off differently by having the grey lining form a trim for the top of the basket. 


The quilting lines that end up being on the base of the basket are spaced further apart, about 3/4". There are actually two layers of batting in the base. This was done to hide the ridges of piping cord. For the bulk of the QAYG I used my regular presser foot and turned the presser foot pressure way down, as per Oh Fransson's tutorial. The walking foot came out for quilting the double layers of batting, though.


Dimensions of the basket ended up at 7" x 6.5" x 4". I'm not sure what I'm going to use this fabric basket for, but I am keeping it for me,


I really like the quilt as you go technique. It's not hard to do, it looks so effective and it's a great way to make something using left over scraps of fabric. You will most certainly see me making lots more projects using QAYG!

I'll be adding my new fabric basket to the ongoing Fabric Baskets link party, here at Threading My Way.

... Pam

35 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous, I'm off to pin:)

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  2. It's great finding new QAYG projecrts - I can always learn something, or get inspiration for another project! Your basket is great - on QAYG quilts I do the quilting lines about 1/2 - 5/8" (ish) apart because the pieces are bigger, but on these smaller projects - totes, baskets, zippies etc. - I like the look of a denser 1/4" or WOF width :) When I read "piping" in your post my first thought was, "Oh no, too hard, not doing THAT!" - but then I saw how you did it - I'm going to give that a try - it really adds a nice touch, and I can definitely zigzag :) I give your basket a 9/10 - it loses a point because it's in Aus and not in Canada ;)

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  3. Oh I just noticed that the top isn't binding, it's lining fabric - I'm guessing you cut the lining about an inch or so (2 - 2.5cms, ish) taller than the basket panel? I've done something similar to that for drawstring gift bags - will have to try it for a basket as well :)

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  4. Wow, this is really stunning! Love, love, love the Umbrella prints & your QAYG fabric basket shows them off so beautifully. Well done!

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  5. Gorgeous!! The piping is a great detail and the quilting looks fabulous!

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  6. Just gorgeous, that fabric really is just beautiful too

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  7. lovely! I like the addition of the piping cord. I often have the lining as trim at the top of bags or baskets - not always by design!

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  8. The colors are gorgeous as is the quilting. Must, must, must fit this into the long list of projects I find here!

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  9. Your quilting looks great with perfect straight stitches! The blue fabric colors and patterns are refreshing...I think I want something blue for myself too!

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  10. Gorgeous, the quilting looks fantastic!

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  11. I love the blue fabrics...they all work together so nicely!

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  12. Nice! I love the look of QAYG but I'm too impatient to do it. Love fabric/color combo. Well done!

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  13. Very cute! I love that fabric and the quilting lines. I really wld like to do more of it.

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    1. Thanks, Gina. I've ordered another packet of trimmings to make another.

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  14. I LOVE this basket! The fabrics are so lovely together. I think I will definitely have to make one of these :) Thanks for all your lovely links to my projects!

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  15. This is great, love the fabric you used :)

    Thanks for sharing over at Creative Mondays...

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  16. I should really have a look at your tutorial...the basket looks great!

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  17. Beautiful basket and I really like the addition of the piping! Thanks for sharing at Linky Tuesday! Freemotion by the River

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  18. i love this. I have bought two years in a row and still have not made anything - so congratulations :-)

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  19. It's a great finish and would be perfect for a magazine and a crafty project to keep handy. I have done QAYG with a free motion foot, the lines are not quite as straight but it goes a lot faster because you don't have to flip the entire piece around every row.

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  20. I just love this! I don't use nearly enough blues.

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  21. I love your fabric basket and the lovely cool blues you've used. I'll be making some of these in the future. I have enough scraps to make a hundred of them.

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  22. Perfect project for the Umbrella trimmings!!! I love fabric buckets and have them on my want to make list. They are as cute as they are useful!!!!

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    1. Thanks, Gina. You'll find it easy to make fabric buckets.

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  23. Lovely finish and really like how you've used the fabric in this and thanks for all the links.

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  24. love this basket!

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  25. The 1/4" quilting looks great and I love that you changed things up by quilting vertical on part and horizontal on the other. Very cool basket, Pam!

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  26. Love the fabric choices! Too cute! We would love for you to come and link up with us at Your Designs This Time! http://elizabethjoandesigns.com/2014/06/designs-time-no-13/

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  27. Gorgeous Pam! I finally figured out how to thread the bobbin on my very old manual sewing machine (the closest sewing machine repair guy is a 45 min drive from my home, so hesistant to go with something computerized....) and can't believe I was so blocked....I sewed a little stuffed animal for my son's birthday, and now I'm torn between doing something on the sewing machine or crocheting.....thanks so much for the inspiration!

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  28. Absolutely gorgeouw. Happy to find your blog

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  29. G'day lovely lady! That looks fabulous. I've just pinned your post and it is also on my Pinterest Page on Facebook. Thanks for sharing at the Say G'day Saturday Linky Party!

    Best wishes for a fabulous week,
    Natasha in Oz

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