Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Cloth Coil Basket Completed

Close-up of felt base and side of basket
Well, I have finally completed the large cloth coil basket. This ended up much larger than I planned. I decided I might as well finish the roll of cord that I had bought at a thrift store. This is how far it went, including the handles. I decided I had better reinforce the base for strength. I did this by stitching in place a piece of felt I had with colours that toned in quite well. Now I have a lovely capacious work basket.

The whole basket - 18" wide by 9" high
 I learnt a lot through making this. For example, how to angle the needle and the coils, how tightly to pull the coils together, the effects of highly textured coils on the building process. This basket is nice to the touch - soft but pretty firm as well. I feel that I really improved my technique towards the end of the basket.

At close of needle I had begun a new coiled basket but this one has a much different feel to it. I'll post it soon.

Happy stitching everyone, Gilly
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34 comments:

  1. deanna7treesApril 27, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    wow, beautiful job. i like the colors as well.

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  2. NanetteApril 27, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    It's wonderful, gorgeous colours. Makes me itch to have a go at coiling.

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  3. StoryclothApril 27, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Thanks Deanna - it seems I have become engrossed by basket making just now.

    Hi Nanette, have a go - it is a really, really great outlet for creativity.Plus so functional!

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  4. Penny BerensApril 27, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Oh, it's gorgeous Gilly! There is something so satisfying in making something that can actually be used...and yours came out so handsome.

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  5. fabriquefantastiqueApril 27, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    well done, how lovely to have such a personal work basket

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  6. Sandra TylerApril 27, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    That's just lovely and what an accomplishment. The bottom is espeically interesting. Is that felting?

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  7. StoryclothApril 27, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Thanks Penny - I saw your beautiful embroidery today but haven't commented yet. Gilly

    Hi fabrique - it is very good to have something personal like this as a work-basket. It's super satisfying. Gilly

    Hullo Sandra - it was a big task all up - but pretty much all pleasure. Basketry, especially when combined with textiles, really draws you into the process. Yes, the base material is a piece of felt that I made a couple of years ago. Gilly

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  8. Anne Marie - TorontoApril 27, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    Yes, I definitely need to try this! Your basket is lovely and I'm going to give it a try as soon as I finish a few little projects.

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  9. AnneApril 28, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    Gilly, it's very beautiful. I think that the hand stitching is more textured. Perhaps a new link on my blog for yours! tomorrow?
    I am happy to try the new mailing system on your blog. Cross the fingers!!!

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  10. AnneApril 28, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    PS: one time also, I have sewn a round in my base. Well, I think that by hand it's more difficult to sew the building sides..............

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  11. DoloresApril 28, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    I scrolled through. I love all the baskets that you've done. But this one is certainly a big size. Will the next one be smaller?

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  12. StoryclothApril 28, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Anne Marie - do have a try ! Gilly

    Hi Anne - great to see you here - yes I think texture is the main difference between hand and machine sewing. Gilly

    Hullo Dolores - the next one is smaller but very different in presentation. We'll see how it turns out! Gilly

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  13. gillyflowerApril 28, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    This is a wonderful basket! Have had a peek at a post you did a few days ago to see how you made it, looks like it will be good and strong the method you have used.
    I too prefer handstitching, and have attempted a couple of braided rugs over the years and a fabric basket is on my long list of projects to make - seeing how you've made yours is very useful, thanks for sharing!
    Thanks for visiting my blog too!I look forwrad to seeing more of yours.
    Gill

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  14. Joe MadlApril 28, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    wonderful! i love the texture and shape. so much nicer than the machine stitched ones! i may have to have a go at this...but must commit myself to a larger basket like yours! what a marvelous scrap basket it would make!

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  15. StoryclothApril 28, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Hi Gill - glad you found some useful things here. I will be following your blog too! Gilly

    Hi Joe - I agree about the larger basket - it is a great size for scraps - I am using it to cart around the materials for my current basket right now. Gilly

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  16. PennyApril 28, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    A beautiful basket. I love the base and the colors and oh heck - I love the whole thing!! What fun you'll have filling it with pretties.

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  17. tApril 29, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    this is just so beautiful gilly. love it.

    good to see you love it. it shows....

    xt

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  18. Hoola TallulahApril 29, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    WOW, this is beautiful, what an awesome idea!

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  19. StoryclothApril 29, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Thank you very much Penny, T and Hoola. Gilly

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  20. Clare WassermannApril 29, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    YOU KNOW WHAT? It's really beautiful and useful - the two best attributes of anything!

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  21. liniecatApril 30, 2011 at 4:30 AM

    Fabulous! Must be very satisfying too having used what is probably a tradition/primitive/simple method lol ...that in making I reckon, proves how blummin harder it is to do, than it looks!
    Love it

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  22. kaiteMApril 30, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    Such a beautiful basket Gilly, you must be very proud of it and have learned such a lot while completing it too. well done for sticking with it to make it that much larger, i know how slow the process is.

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  23. StoryclothApril 30, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    Thanks Clare and liniecat. The techniques for basketry have not changed significantly for thousands of years apparently. Gilly

    Hi kaite - thanks for your encouragement - it is a slow process but very enjoyable because it really does feel as if improvement comes with each new row. I think because it is so ancient a craft it is even more satisfying - like hand sewing. Gilly

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  24. Deb GMay 1, 2011 at 5:10 AM

    This is beautiful! I'm betting it will be cherished for a long time.

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  25. ElsMay 1, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    Beautiful springy colours ... and I love the felt bottom

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  26. StoryclothMay 2, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Thanks Deb - yes it will be - I think I am going to do some top stitching over the felt - both for aesthetic purposes and to strengthen it more. It is quite a heavy basket. Gilly

    Hi Els - yes - very seasonal - and newlife type vibes! Gilly

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  27. gillyflowerMay 3, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Gilly, just a quick comment to refer you to my latest post announcing the winner of my Royal Wedding giveaway - you may want to check it out!
    Congratulations!!
    Gill x

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  28. SuzannaMay 3, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Beautiful basket, Gilly. Nice to think of the uses to which it will be put!

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  29. AnonymousMay 4, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Hi Gilly,
    Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog, I am so glad you did as I am really enjoying looking at yours.
    I have never seen anyone make coiled baskets before and what an interesting craft. They are beautiful, wonderful colours and textures and they are useful too, what more could you ask for in a craft!
    Best wishes.

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  30. Bobbie CaseyMay 4, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Not that you need yet another comment, but, this is truly inspiring!

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  31. StoryclothMay 4, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Hi there Suzanna - the way a made object is used is important isn't it! Gilly

    Thank you for your visit Bluebell. Gilly

    Hullo Filamental - great to have your comment and thank you very much for it! Gilly

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  32. nandasMay 4, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    hi gilly! i am gettting slowly back into the swing of things... taking the sun moon stars with jude and saw you there. i wanted to reconnect. you have made such progress from just a few short months ago...trying all kinds of new things. i love the baskets... i used to make them ages ago... yours are lovely. also am amazed at the three dimensional embroidery...WOW! so beautiful. keep at it! you rock!

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  33. AnonymousMay 4, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Gilly,
    This is an amazing craft to accomplish! You did such a beautiful job. I always wanted to be able to do something like this. Well done! Thank you so much for the birthday wish. Make sure you let me know when yours is!

    Hugs Rosemary...X

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  34. StoryclothMay 5, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Hey Nan - very good to hear from you! I have thought about you often. Great - see you at jude's! Gilly

    Thanks Rosemary - hope you had a fabulous day! Gilly

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