Friday, March 25, 2011

Cloth Coil Basket

Cloth coil basket - eight inches diameter.
I have spent all my spare time over the last couple of days making this cloth coil basket. I have always loved these baskets and have not tried making one until now. It was very enjoyable. Quite addictive. So therapeutic! I learnt a lot from trying different techniques throughout the construction. It is basically covered cord that is bound and then built using a figure of eight woven stitch. I used tightly woven fabric that I found at an Op-shop. It has lovely clear colours which are refreshing after a grey and white, but mainly grey, Winter.

I want to start another one immediately to practise what I have learnt. I want to improve the beginnings and endings of construction. I think I will make a cloth flower and bead configuration to cover the too abrupt ending on the right hand side of the bottom picture.

At close of needle I had almost finished the embroidered garden that I spoke of last post. Very nearly finished!

Happy stitching everyone, Gilly.
Postscript: The modifed basket looks better - not too fussy?

Closeup - not great lighting.
 
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24 comments:

  1. deanna7treesMarch 25, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    you did a beautiful job. spirals turn up everywhere, don't they...

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  2. StoryclothMarch 25, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Hi Deanna - thanks - I so enjoyed making it! Gilly

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  3. NanetteMarch 25, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    The colours are beautiful, lovely what treasure troves op-shops can be. I love the basket too, you've done a great job, can't wait to see the next.

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  4. StoryclothMarch 25, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    Thanks Nanette - yes, I got almost everything for this basket from an Op-shop. It is such fun shopping like that!

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  5. Cait ThroopMarch 25, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Soooo beautiful!!!

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  6. Pamela GordonMarch 25, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Hi Gilly, thanks so much for stopping by my blog to visit today. It's always nice to meet new people and Canadians in Blogdom. Your hand work is amazing. How beautiful! You are very creative and talented. Have a great weekend! Blessings, Pamela

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  7. NanetteMarch 25, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    I like it better without the flowers...sorry, I know you wanted to cover the ends, but I didn't notice a problem with them. It looks kind of nicely "raw" without the flowers..

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  8. StoryclothMarch 25, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Thankyou Cait and Pamela. Nanette, I appreciate your feedback. The flowers are easily removed - I am thinking about it and more so now with your comment. Thanks again. Gilly

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  9. SuzannaMarch 25, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Gilly, it's beautiful...so nicely done!

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  10. StoryclothMarch 25, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Hi Suzanna - it was such fun to make. The coils feel so good to bind together. Gilly

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  11. kaiteMMarch 25, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    you've done it very well and i'm having trouble believing it's your first one. looks excellent to me.
    do another one quick before you forget and while you're in the mood.

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  12. Joei Rhode IslandMarch 26, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    What a great basket. Good to put all kinds of fibers in! And it looks pretty too.

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  13. StoryclothMarch 26, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Hi kaite - a good compliment from you who does such beautiful work! And, haha, I have begun another- focusing on techniche and using a more loosely woven cloth. Softer and easier on my fingers. Loving the whole process. Gilly

    Joei - great to hear from you. The basket is on our chest of drawers and has in it my odd bits of jewllery that usually lie all over the surface. The basket I am making at the moment, just trying out technique and materials, might be very useful for holding threads. Will visit you again soon. Gilly

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  14. StoryclothMarch 27, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    This came by email- maybe some readers would like to see Anne's blog too. Gilly

    I was on your blog, but impossible to leave a message; so here it'is:
    I do very many bakskets with this technique but at machine; so I was very pleased to see yours.YEs, doingt this , we learn and learn again. I thingk that I have done perhaps 35 baskets and mats, and even necklaces using this techniques.I would be very pleased if you give your advice about mine. In france, it's rare!!
    Regards
    Anne from France
    http://quilt007.free.fr

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  15. Deb GMarch 27, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Oh that looks like fun, and very appropriate for spring!

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  16. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    This is one of the things on my long list of techniques to try. You've made a great job of it. How much fabric did it use, do you know?

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  17. tMarch 28, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    lovely basket, it is so much fun making baskets, I love it.

    xt

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  18. StoryclothMarch 28, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Hi Deb - oh yes it was fantastic fun. I'm trying a larger one now. Gilly

    Stitchinglife 2- I think it used about a half metre - I am not sure actually - I will measure it on my next project. Takes more than you would think though. Gilly

    Hey T! - yes I remember now - you have put some on your blog from time to time - I will have another look. Gilly

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  19. PennyMarch 28, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Oh, I love this! I've seen these before and always wanted to try my hand at it -- but sadly my hands always seem occupied with something else. Yours is beautiful.

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  20. StoryclothMarch 28, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Hey Penny - yes well I absolutely love doing this. I am working on large, shallow basket now - just to see how the process works; then I'll get back to my patchwork and embroidery I think. Gilly

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  21. judeMarch 29, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    i love these, they are so much more solid than i imagined. i should try one day. you did a beautiful job.

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  22. KarenMarch 30, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    so pretty! and I love what you have done with the suffolk puffs too.

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  23. StoryclothMarch 30, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    jude - you'd enjoy the process I think. Gilly

    Hi karen - ah suffolk puffs- thanks. Gilly

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  24. gillyflowerApril 28, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Now this really is a beauty! The colours are gorgeous! Now i really want to make one!You have made it so beautifully,using the coloured threads really gives it something.It makes it somehow more complex even though you have limited yourself to two plain colour fabrics!
    The little suffolk puffs give it the final touch - i love it!
    Gill

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