That is right. I am a basket case right now. Or you could call me a nut bag.
There is no dearth of inspiration (or temptation, depending on your perspective) in blogland. Seeing so many 1-hour baskets, I dived in too.
It took me 2+ hours to make mine.
I am sure that after I have made a dozen, and I remember the pattern by heart, and all the fabric/interfacing is cut to the correct size, and I don't make any mistakes, and I don't get distracted...I will be able to make such a basket in one hour.
You get the picture.
According to the tutorial, the outer fabric should be home decor. Missed that detail.
Silly me. Proceeded with quilting cotton. And the basket ended up being a bit on the flimsy side.
Decided to put SF101 on the handles to give them a little more body. Definitely like the outcome.
Pros
1. The instructions are very well-written
2. Different seams for the exterior and the lining - Brilliant!!!
Cons
1. The handles need interfacing. Not mentioned.
The other thing that is a personal preference - I did not like the seam in the lining. Ideally, I wanted it to be smooth.
Attempt # 2
Looked for another tutorial. This one was from ayumills.blogspot.com.
Smaller basket. I made the exterior panel using 2.5" squares and linen for the main basket body. Used SF101 to stiffen it first.
I used decor bond interfacing on the handles. See picture below.
Then I quilted the exterior panel with batting. I went ahead and also used interfacing (decor bond) on the lining.
Since I wanted a smooth inside, I chose to do a drop-in lining (contrary to the instructions in the tutorial). It did not come out well.
The two - exterior and lining - did not quite match, causing the exterior to be puckered :-(
Once finished, I showed it to a dear friend, Nancy. Bless her heart. She did not see the imperfections and took it off my hands.
Tried again.
Attempt# 3 - Smaller basket. Much better but still not perfect.
The finished basket is 6.5" by 4.5" at the base, and it is almost 5" high. Actually, I am pretty pleased with this one.
The exterior panel was first interfaced with SF101. Then quilted with batting. The lining was interfaced with decor bond (maybe try SF101 next time). Since the lining was dropped in, the insides are smooth :-)
Since the lining has decor bond interfacing, there is added bulk along the top. It is top-stitched but that could be neater.
Attempt # 4 - Making the initial 1-hour baskets
I decided to use my just acquired knowledge to try my hand at the 1-hour basket again. I used quilting weight cotton (gorgeous blue/purple batik) but this time I interfaced it first with SF101. Then used Thermolam as a second layer of interfacing.
Like before, I did not use any interfacing on the lining, because I wanted to avoid the bulk in the top stitching. Used interfacing on the handles.
But my lining still had a seam and it was just a tad bigger than it needed to be, making it look wrinkly and crumpled on the inside.
Attempt #5 - Repeat Attempt #4.
The only thing I did differently this time was measure the lining and the exterior just before stitching them together. the lining was tad larger than required. So, I increased the seam by 1/8". Remeasured. Much better.
Do you see the difference? The lining on the right one fits just a tad better.
These baskets are 9.5" by 5.5" at the base. The height is almost 6.5" They are pretty and I am sure they will make someone happy enough that they would pay for them :-)
Just wish that they did not have that seam in the lining.
By now, I have made five baskets using two different tutorials and I am still not completely satisfied.
So, I tried once again. Attempt # 6.
This time, I referred to no pattern. Made a much smaller basket. It measures 4" by 6" at the base and it is almost 4.5" high. Since it was small, I reasoned that Thermolam would be enough. Interfaced the handles.
This time, when I made the lining, I did not leave an opening in it. Once the lining was made, I matched it with the exterior of the basket. It was a little bigger. I chose to sew again, increasing the seam by 1/8" to make it fit better.
After the handles were basted, I put the exterior inside the interior, RST. Stitched all around at the top but left a 2" gap. Turned it inside out, and sewed the opening shut using top stitching. Now, the interior was smooth :-) Makes me very happy.
How smooth? I turned it inside out and it could be (almost) reversible basket :-)
However, I realized that I should have used SF101 on the exterior, followed by Thermolam.
Should have used SF101 on the lining. I am sure there is an Attempt #7.
Paul: More baskets. Pretty!!!
Me: Yeah, but I am still not there yet.
Paul: Where?
Me: Where I have all the features I want and it is neat.
Paul: Try a different pattern
Me: I did
Paul: Is it a free pattern or did you buy it?
Me: (I knew where he was going with it. I got irritated.)
You know there was this one time I bought a pattern for making zippered pouches. It included fabric as well. In a kit.
Paul: The kit and caboodle?
Me: NO. There was a kit but the caboodle was missing.
Paul: How so?
Me: So, the pattern says - use interfacing. But they do not tell you which one. You have no idea how many different kinds of interfacing they have out there.
And I have made bags with no interfacing and with wrong interfacing. I am ashamed to show them to even myself.
Paul: So a free pattern may or may not work. Buying a pattern may not have everything. What is the solution?
Me: Trial and Error. That is WHAT I AM DOING!!!
Paul: Could you take a class or learn from a live person?
Once again, Paul had a made a valid point. However, by now I could (almost) teach a class on the dos and don'ts of fabric basket making.
What if the tutorials and pattern still leave something to be desired. Yes, you could do what I have been doing - Trial and Error.
Did you know there are classes (yes several) on making bags, and pouches, and organizers on Craftsy? Best news - they are on sale!!!
Wish I had known this sooner. Silly me. Check them out.
And if you are into making fabric baskets and organizers, you must check out these two classes.
Some of these classes are on sale now which makes me feel like this!!!
Paul: What if you don't like the class?
Me: Well, Craftsy will refund your money.
In the mean time, I am making more pouches for the quilt show.
I feel very guilty right now. I am addicted to making baskets and pouches while several quilt tops languish away waiting to be quilted. I am Sew Preeti - No Quilts!!!
There is no dearth of inspiration (or temptation, depending on your perspective) in blogland. Seeing so many 1-hour baskets, I dived in too.
 |
| One-hour basket |
It took me 2+ hours to make mine.
I am sure that after I have made a dozen, and I remember the pattern by heart, and all the fabric/interfacing is cut to the correct size, and I don't make any mistakes, and I don't get distracted...I will be able to make such a basket in one hour.
 |
| Basket #1 |
According to the tutorial, the outer fabric should be home decor. Missed that detail.
Silly me. Proceeded with quilting cotton. And the basket ended up being a bit on the flimsy side.
Decided to put SF101 on the handles to give them a little more body. Definitely like the outcome.
Pros
1. The instructions are very well-written
2. Different seams for the exterior and the lining - Brilliant!!!
Cons
1. The handles need interfacing. Not mentioned.
The other thing that is a personal preference - I did not like the seam in the lining. Ideally, I wanted it to be smooth.
Attempt # 2
Looked for another tutorial. This one was from ayumills.blogspot.com.
Smaller basket. I made the exterior panel using 2.5" squares and linen for the main basket body. Used SF101 to stiffen it first.
 |
| 2.5" squares, linen |
 |
| Decor Bond Interfacing on the handles |
 |
| Ready to quilt |
Since I wanted a smooth inside, I chose to do a drop-in lining (contrary to the instructions in the tutorial). It did not come out well.
The two - exterior and lining - did not quite match, causing the exterior to be puckered :-(
Once finished, I showed it to a dear friend, Nancy. Bless her heart. She did not see the imperfections and took it off my hands.
Tried again.
Attempt# 3 - Smaller basket. Much better but still not perfect.
The finished basket is 6.5" by 4.5" at the base, and it is almost 5" high. Actually, I am pretty pleased with this one.
 |
| Smooth Insides |
Attempt # 4 - Making the initial 1-hour baskets
I decided to use my just acquired knowledge to try my hand at the 1-hour basket again. I used quilting weight cotton (gorgeous blue/purple batik) but this time I interfaced it first with SF101. Then used Thermolam as a second layer of interfacing.
Like before, I did not use any interfacing on the lining, because I wanted to avoid the bulk in the top stitching. Used interfacing on the handles.
But my lining still had a seam and it was just a tad bigger than it needed to be, making it look wrinkly and crumpled on the inside.
Attempt #5 - Repeat Attempt #4.
The only thing I did differently this time was measure the lining and the exterior just before stitching them together. the lining was tad larger than required. So, I increased the seam by 1/8". Remeasured. Much better.
 |
| Attempt #4 on the left, Attempt #5 on the right |
Do you see the difference? The lining on the right one fits just a tad better.
These baskets are 9.5" by 5.5" at the base. The height is almost 6.5" They are pretty and I am sure they will make someone happy enough that they would pay for them :-)
Just wish that they did not have that seam in the lining.
By now, I have made five baskets using two different tutorials and I am still not completely satisfied.
So, I tried once again. Attempt # 6.
This time, I referred to no pattern. Made a much smaller basket. It measures 4" by 6" at the base and it is almost 4.5" high. Since it was small, I reasoned that Thermolam would be enough. Interfaced the handles.
This time, when I made the lining, I did not leave an opening in it. Once the lining was made, I matched it with the exterior of the basket. It was a little bigger. I chose to sew again, increasing the seam by 1/8" to make it fit better.
After the handles were basted, I put the exterior inside the interior, RST. Stitched all around at the top but left a 2" gap. Turned it inside out, and sewed the opening shut using top stitching. Now, the interior was smooth :-) Makes me very happy.
 |
| Smooth on the inside :-) |
How smooth? I turned it inside out and it could be (almost) reversible basket :-)
However, I realized that I should have used SF101 on the exterior, followed by Thermolam.
Should have used SF101 on the lining. I am sure there is an Attempt #7.
 |
| Medium and Small (ignore the screwdriver, please) |
Paul: More baskets. Pretty!!!
Me: Yeah, but I am still not there yet.
Paul: Where?
Me: Where I have all the features I want and it is neat.
Paul: Try a different pattern
Me: I did
Paul: Is it a free pattern or did you buy it?
Me: (I knew where he was going with it. I got irritated.)
You know there was this one time I bought a pattern for making zippered pouches. It included fabric as well. In a kit.
Paul: The kit and caboodle?
Me: NO. There was a kit but the caboodle was missing.
Paul: How so?
Me: So, the pattern says - use interfacing. But they do not tell you which one. You have no idea how many different kinds of interfacing they have out there.
And I have made bags with no interfacing and with wrong interfacing. I am ashamed to show them to even myself.
Paul: So a free pattern may or may not work. Buying a pattern may not have everything. What is the solution?
Me: Trial and Error. That is WHAT I AM DOING!!!
Paul: Could you take a class or learn from a live person?
 |
| Three sizes - Nested Baskets |
What if the tutorials and pattern still leave something to be desired. Yes, you could do what I have been doing - Trial and Error.
Did you know there are classes (yes several) on making bags, and pouches, and organizers on Craftsy? Best news - they are on sale!!!
Wish I had known this sooner. Silly me. Check them out.
And if you are into making fabric baskets and organizers, you must check out these two classes.
Some of these classes are on sale now which makes me feel like this!!!
 |
| Goofiness!!! |
Paul: What if you don't like the class?
Me: Well, Craftsy will refund your money.
In the mean time, I am making more pouches for the quilt show.
 |
| A Bag a Day!!! |
 |
| Cuteness Overload!!! |
 |
| Light Aqua inside |
 |
| Green Swirly Lining |
 |
| Dotty - Inside and Out :-) |
 |
| Pretty in Pink!!! |
Now, that I have confessed, it is time to put away these little evil distractions and finish a few quilts this weekend. What do you think?
As always, I'd love to hear from you.
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