BATIK FABRIC BASKET

LEVEL: EASY

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 20cm each of 3-4 Batik fabrics
• 6mm Crafters Choice Macrame Cord, white
• Gutermann 100% cotton thread to match fabrics
• Rotary cutter, mat & quilters rulers
• Sew Easy Quilters Holding Clips or Wonder Clips
• Quilting pins, tape measure
• Scissors, seam ripper
• Glue stick or fabric glue
• Sewing machine with zigzag foot

Note:Read all instructions carefully before commencing the project.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1.Cut strips across the width of fabrics between 1/2" and 1" wide. The strips don't all need to be the same width but don't make them any wider than 1" or it will be too difficult to wrap the 6mm cord neatly.

Note:the number required depends on your wrapping technique and how big you want the basket.

Step 2.To start (work with cord on the roll don't cut it - place a strip wrong side up swipe glue stick across the end 1/2". Place end of cord across the fabric 1/4" from end and in from the edge. Roll end of fabric over cord, fold edge in, wrap fabric around the cord and place a clip on the end to hold.

Step 3.To wrap, keep fabric on a bias angle (45�), take around the cord and wrap overlapping some of the previous fabric as well as the cord. Continue wrapping and overlapping stopping 1/2" from the end. Place the end of the next strip under the first, continue to wrap then place a clip on the join to hold. Continue wrapping until you have 15-20 strips wrap around the cord using a clip to hold each join.

Step 4.To start sewing - attach zigzag foot and adjust to zigzag stitch width (approx. 5) and length (approx. 2). The zigzag stitch needs to be wide enough to go into the cord on each side (see diagram)

Step 5.Coil the end and roll the fabric covered cord into a spiral using a clip to stop it uncoiling. This will form the centre bottom of the basket. Place the coil under the presser foot with the end on the right-hand side.

Step 6.Starting in the centre, zigzag down the first join and backstitch to the start. Slowly begin working around the coil making sure the zigzag stitch catches the cord on each side. It can be difficult to move around at the beginning so just go slowly. Continue working the wrapped cord into a coil and sewing until the base measures 4-4 1/2".

Step 7.To work the sides of the basket tilt the bottom of the basket up as high as possible and keep coiling and sewing holding the base up and turning as you sew.

Note:If you need to stop, wind a bobbin, etc, place a clip on the cord to hold in place. To restart, go back a few stitches from where you stopped, backstitch and continue.

Step 8.Continue to keep coiling and sewing holding the base up and turning as you sew, removing clips when you come to a join. Continue wrapping fabric strips around the cord when necessary.

Step 9.When the basket is required size cut the cord leaving 4-5" of fabric at the end. Wrap the fabric around the end of the cord then wrap the end of the fabric strip into a narrow end.

Step 10.Continue stitching, holding the narrow end up against the edge and stitching over it attaching it to the edge of the basket.

Optional:Continue stitching around the top edge of the basket, backstitching to finish.