Friday, April 1, 2011

Large Cloth Coil Basket

Closeup of where I am working right now.
And another, from the inside.
A different perspective.
Upon finishing the basket in my last post I had a lot of cord left on the reel that I had purchased from an op-shop. I decided to begin another basket. I enjoyed the process so much that I became addicted for few days!

I really liked a large shallow 'baby basket' that I had seen in Susan Breier's book, It's A Wrap. Susan's  work is inspiring and the book has good instructions. However it is all done by machine. I am pretty much committed to exclusive manual handling of cloth and thread and don't think I would give up the sensuous, tactile nature of hand work for anything - except  (haha) sewing curtains maybe.

The base of this basket is 14 inches, which doesn't sound much but it is really pretty large when you consider the diameter. I wasn't sure how I would go building up the sides and thought for awhile that my basket was going to be a failure. But I persevered and tried a few things and finally worked  out how to go upright. Susan's book helped here with her description of different angling. I used soft cording but as I am not machine sewing I think next time I might try something a bit firmer for such a large basket.

My aim in making this basket was to experiment as much as possible with building techniques and materials. I did. I have included many different textures and combinations wanting to see how they impacted the construction process. I explored what I like the feel of, what I could work with again, and what might be best for specific purposes. I haven't finished but I wanted to post it for you to see.

At close of needle I still had not fully completed my embroidered garden, but will post it next ...I HOPE!!!

Happy stitching everyone, Gilly

15 comments:

  1. the texture is beautiful. hope you'll post a pic of the completed basket. when i reach 300 posts, there will be another giveaway and another chance to win.

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  2. Wow this is lovely....ive seen this done on a sewing machine before.

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  3. Hahahaha Deanna. I think I had better make myself a pincushion. Unbelievable really that I haven't got one!! gilly

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  4. Hi Jensters - just visited your blog! Thanks for your comment here. Gilly

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  5. that's beautiful, i just love the hand stitched effect too.

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  6. Hi kaite - thanks - I like it too. Going to try your twining later today. Gilly

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  7. I love it -- and especially love that you are hand stitching. Stitching by hand (doing anything by hand) seems so 'true' to me. Can't wait to see it all finished.

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  8. Thanks Penny - yes there is sure something special about hand work - just htink of home cooking! Gilly

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  9. For some reason Anne cannot post here - but her email is so expressive I wanted to post some of it:

    Dear gilly, I like the aspect of hand stitching, it's speaks to soul,it's more sensual (and the work also)It's like a second pattern!
    http://quilt007.free.fr

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  10. Beautiful coiling and colors. -Sue

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  11. Thanks Sue - I have always liked pinks and greens together. Gilly

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  12. The texture really appeals to me too.

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  13. Love it! One can always do with a new basket.

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  14. Love the first image, it makes me want to touch it!!

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  15. Wow... love the baskets that you have made .. so beautiful and inspiring. There are just so many things you can do with cloth. Lovely and your birdhouse .. fun fun fun. :)

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