I wish I were a mum that bakes. I have 3 girlfriends who are classic bakers. You go to their house and there is always a fresh slice, loaf or biscuit on offer with a cup of tea. My kind of friends!
One of my closest baking friends is Marieka from 'Bespoke Bites'. She is also a quilter and about 3 years ago she made a quilt for a little girl with some Moda fabric called 'Recipe for Friendship.' It is very sweet and she had a couple of small squares leftover that she gave to me. I used some of them on a dress for my daughter but had no use for the last 5 - until today!
The project for this week's Zakka Style Sew Along is a 'cute-as-cherry-pie' bread basket. The fabric prize for linking up before Sunday is adorable and I want to be in the running for it. So after reading the 'very helpful tips' from Amanda at The Patchsmith and checking out some other delicious finishes by Sheila of Blue Patch Quilter and Cary of Creative Moments, I set to work to make one for Marieka. Now she will have funky place to put her date loaf, home-made jam or cookies into when she goes along to Coffs Fresh Quilters. I know that Kelly, Kristy and Jane will appreciate it.
I spent a bit of time, as usual, reading, drawing and writing all over the pattern, before I started cutting. I gathered up the leftovers and then started to match fabrics.
Changes
Would you believe that I ended up using a tea towel instead of linen for this project? It was very versatile and most of it was used by the end. ( I used a tea towel for the earlier pincushion and pot holders).
I wanted my front panel to be symmetrical and so I made sure that the patchwork and linen measured 11" by the end.
I made my own buttons but only ended up using one.
I decorated both front and back panels and used a fabric stamp for the first time. So happy with the results.
I inserted a piece of perspex to give the base more strength.
I just used a bit of the hem from the tea towel for the twine/string.
And if you are a baking type, check out Marieka's blog where she has lots of recipes. Here's a link to her almond and cranberry biscotti.
I am linking up with...
Thank you, thank you thank you!!! What a gorgeous and generous friend you are! I can't wait to give it a test drive!
ReplyDeleteWow Fiona! This looks amazing! You did an amazing job on it - loving the fabric stamping too!
ReplyDeleteGreat basket, love how you used a tea towel for this. The fabric stamps are great too!
ReplyDeleteI love this - as you will see from my Flickr adoration of your project. I like the use of perspex - I often use a cut piece from a plastic milk bottle for projects (i.e. the bottom of my bottle holder or in a patchwork photo frame). I know you will find another use for the little strawb button. I loved the way this project turned out. I wasn't sure I would make it but am SOOOOOOO glad I did. And I will use it on the table at dinner parties or BBQs. I just like looking at it (weird or what?) Bet yours is somewhere you can see it everyday. Lovely - very, very, lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis is THE nicest of these bread baskets I have seen in blogland! The fabrics with the cherries, gingham and printing- just perfect!
ReplyDeleteAw Sheila you are making me blush - but it was great how the tea towel, leftover squares, cherry and tiny scrap of gingham all came together like long lost friends.
DeleteOooh, it's lovely. A special gift for a lovely friend :).
ReplyDeleteShe sure is a wonderful friend...she deserves spoiling.
Deleteboy you really put alot of thought into this & it turned out great - just really, really nice!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a lovely basket, the fabrics are so perfectly suited for it. Your buttons look so sweet, too.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I still haven't started with mine and I'm not sure if I make it on time.
ReplyDeleteYour basket is so very lovely! I love the colors, and yes, the t-towel was just perfect to tie it all together.
ReplyDeleteWonderful detail, I can see how it would take a bit of time to pull this version off. I'm hoping to make a simple one and get it done - way to go above and beyond.
ReplyDeleteAmazing finish! The colour scheme is spot on, so cool what you can do with a tea towel =D
ReplyDeleteWow, you're so clever! What a beautiful basket :)
ReplyDeleteLovely gift Fiona. I'm sure she'll love it. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, gorgeous basket. I love that you used a tea towel. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Fiona - I love the story behind this little basket. You made it into a recipe for friendship of sorts...taking a bit of this and a piece of that and turning it into something sweet and thoughtful!
ReplyDeleteOperation is one of my childhood faves too! Great basket! I love your buttons and that very cool stamp!
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