February Basket Question

[Carol R.]

Hi I was wondering in your instructions you are very specific about making sure you are using the rust color fabric with wrong side up, could you tell me why that is important? I am having a hard time liking the look of the basket with the wrong side showing for me it just does not look right. Maybe I am missing something. Thank you for the help.

Gayle

[Janet K.]

Are you using the fabric from the kit?

I don't have a bias tape maker, how can I make the handle? Is there a show that will teach me? HELP.

[Janet K.]

No I am not using the kit fabric, but that should not make a difference I don't think.

[Susan B.]

http://watch/watch-shows/video/show-...nning-applique
Suzanne Marshall shows another way to make bias.

I use bias bars after watching a video by Karen Kay Buckley, but that's not on TQS.

learn/classrooms/

has more lessons on bias strips from Margo.

[Janet K.]

Gayle, some fabrics have just a paler color, others are ugly. I would use what looks good to you.

Susan, thanks for the info about how to do bias strips. Janet

[Janet S.]

Hi I was wondering in your instructions you are very specific about making sure you are using the rust color fabric with wrong side up, could you tell me why that is important? I am having a hard time liking the look of the basket with the wrong side showing for me it just does not look right. Maybe I am missing something. Thank you for the help.

Gayle

Gayle, I used the back side of the fabric because the color was a little softer. I thought the right side was too dark. If you prefer the right side of the fabric, you should use it!

[Margo C.]

You might want to try the method that Alex used for her basket handles on episode 210: http://watch/watch-shows/video/show-...st-on-applique

[Margo C.]

Thank you Janet, just thought I may have missed something.

Gayle

[Lorna B.]

There are a zillion ways to make everything, I think!

I had the bias bars from a class I took in 2002. But then once I saw Suzanne Marshal's technique on TQS I started doing it that way. I had forgotten about Alex's technique, which I just went and watched again and will have to try. (I haven't yet looked at Margo's video to remind me how she does it.) Most recently when I needed bias strips like this I used the technique when you put a pin in the ironing board and same as with the little tool you pull the strip through it and iron it as it comes out.

I am sure there must be other techniques also!

Lorna

[Lorna B.]

Where is the pattern for the leaves in the basket? I'm sure it's right in front of me but I just don't see it. Thanks!

Maria

[Mike E.]

Jan -
I didn't have a bias tape maker either, so I just took my time and ironed the seam allowance back on each side of that bias strip - tedious, but it worked. If I were doing it over again, I'd just cut the curved handle out with fusible on the back, using the placement diagram as the pattern. It is going to be blanket stitched down, anyway!
Best wishes,
Mike

[Margo C.]

Where is the pattern for the leaves in the basket? I'm sure it's right in front of me but I just don't see it. Thanks!

Maria

When you print out the entire pattern, the "leaves" are on page 13 along with the letter "b".

[Margo C.]

I don't have the bias tape maker either but the way I make narrow handles or bias stems: I take a piece of bias fabric and fold it in half along the length of the fabric, give it a good press. Then I can stitch it down in the place it needs to be as close to the fold as I need, trim off the extra seam allowance and fold the folded edge over the stitching and stitch in place. I have been able to get a bias stem as narrow as 1/8".

[E.M. T.]

That's my favorite way for teeny-weeny stems, too.

[E.M. T.]

Thank you Margo!
Maria