Blue Baskets 2.0

 From the minute I saw this top, I knew it was one that I just had to make.  Like RIGHT NOW, and I'm so glad that I did. 

This was created by Lori DeJarnatt of Humble Quilts and is featured on pg 53 in the June 2022  American Patchwork and Quilting.  I had the pleasure of quilting it for Lori and I couldn't resist tracing the basket for my own personal use (with her permission, of course)  I've kept my version under wraps until the magazine hit the news stands and now I want to share my vision of her pattern.

Blue Baskets 2.0

 Right now mine is only a top. I wanted to use up fabrics I had left over for another couple of projects and these baskets are perfect for that.  The finished block is only 6" and with using a fusible method, your basket fabrics may be able to come from your scrap basket.  

Most of my baskets came from left overs from this project.  They are not all "quilting" fabrics, but I loved them and I love the combo of red/navy/gold.  Not quite Americana, but certainly pieces that I will put out during the year.

Here is a BIG tip.  If you are using the sheets of fusible that come in a zip bag, you can get 3 baskets by splitting out the handle and making it a little longer.  I simply tucked the handle under the top edge of the basket when I fused it to my scrappy muslin squares and no one will notice.  

Some of my favorite fabrics shown here.  I chose to float the blocks and the corner posts along the outside edge and not add the 1/2 baskets.  Honestly, it's because I ran out of time for sewing.  I had a retreat coming up and wanted to keep this under wraps, and knew I was moving my studio immediately following my sew days.

Here is the back view so you can see how I quilted this.  The goal was to keep it simple, clean and traditional.  There is lots of sashing space for dense motifs if that's how you want to quilt yours.  I've decided I'll quilt mine a bit different, but also very traditional and about the same density.  These baskets just need an outline to let the fabrics shine.

So grab the magazine, start prepping your fusible and get busy.  You will not regret making this project. If 50 baskets seems too much, make it smaller.  13 would make a very sweet wall hanging or table topper.  Thank you Lori, for such a lovely pattern.

Keep stitching,

Sharon

Finally! Beyond the Cherry Tree

My pictures aren't that great, but it's past my bedtime and I will take some better ones later this week. Yes, I'm doing the happy dance. All four borders are attached to the 25 blocks in the center.

I put my initials at the center of the top.

The side borders are similar to the pattern, but I did my own thing on the top and bottom. I added some birds to the bottom as well as grape clusters.

I'm very happy that I added purple to the borders, I think it adds a little something.

I must get to bed, it's a work day tomorrow. I've been working on other peoples quilts this weekend, but I was so close that I had to do the final embroidery and add the final border before bedtime.

There is a little bit of finishing in the corners, nothing an evening of TV would solve.
Hope your weekend was as exciting as mine!
Sharon

I've Been Bitten

I couldn't take it any more. After Ann posted her basket quilt, then I see this blog post, and then Karen's blog...well, I just couldn't take it anymore.

I've been bitten by the basket bug. Say that five times with pins in your mouth! So the plan. Well, cream backgrounds and red baskets, and maybe some brown baskets, and some striped ones. Who knows. Mabye there might even be some plaid ones! If it feels right, I will stitch it. I've got a tin started for this project, it's nice and portable and can be done with a few minutes caught here and there.
I'm practicing my needle turn applique with this project. There are no quota's on how many blocks I'm going to make, it might be a 9 patch wall hanging or a queen size quilt. Not! One never knows the destination when we start some of our journeys.
What is that old expression? Going to *ell in a hand basket? Not to worry, my butt is way too big to fit into these baskets!
Sharon