MORE QUILTS, ETC.

I made some clothesline baskets to donate to the quilt show boutique.  I trim the selvedge edges from fabric as it is used and save it, and any 3/4 inch scrap strips for baskets, as well as crochet rag rugs.  


I sit and cover the clothesline while watching TV in the evening with DH, and then it seems to take no time to stitch the finished projects.
 I use a glue stick to help at the beginning, and also run a line of glue on the clothesline every foot or so, while I am wrapping.  I use a clothespeg to hold the wrapped end when I stop.

 Some are stitched with varigated thread in the bobbin, like this jeans weight thread in the first basket.

 The second basket has a folded cuff.  The selvedge had a rough thread edge, which can add interest.

 Some of my baskets are finished with a reverse curl.  I stop when there is still covered clothesline remaining, and begin a new coil with the end.  Then I continue stitching to the end, and reinforce the stitching on the curl.

 I find the selvedges that are white, but have a coloured edge, make interesting striped sections when used in baskets.

 Sometimes I plan the colours of the baskets, using selvedges from one project.
Other times I just use the next strip I pull from the bag!

In the past, I made a basket from a whole package of clothesline.  My grandson uses it to store his cars and assorted toys that are kept at my home, ready for his visits.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I'm still quilting my latest project, but I took some time off this afternoon.  After teaching a workshop on clothesline baskets, I came home and started wrapping some for myself.

I was inspired to try a new edging after watching a tutorial at Ami Simms website.  She made hers with cotton clothesline that was dyed, but I used the regular wrapped clothesline. 
The edging takes way more line that you might think, but it creates an interesting edge.

I also had a shorter piece of clothesline, so I kept wrapping.....

This used some leftover fabric from my grandson's quilt, along with the selvedge and some narrow strips of a multicoloured stripe that I used for the sashing in another project.  I decided to finish with some swirls on the outside this time.

Now back to quilting.

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

WORKSHOP ON THURSDAY

I was asked to take over a workshop on Thursday.  The person who was going to teach it had to be out of town.
Thursday morning I headed to the fairgrounds in Odessa ON, where we use one of their buildings for large workshops.  I was there about 8:45, and helped set up tables and chairs.  Soon ladies started arriving with sewing machines, and lots of assorted stuff.

I had 2 helpers for the morning and part of the afternoon too.  The ladies were there to make some clothesline baskets.  I only had a couple to show, as most of mine have been gifted or sold, but my helpers each brought one as well.  It took a while to get everyone started, as it is important to get a good starting wrap of the clothesline.  Then the 3 of us were flitting from table to table to help everyone start their coils ( the hardest part, I think). 

I shared a couple of websites with the group, and everyone was off and wrapping then stitching.




Personally, I like to wrap the clothesline ahead of time, then just sit and stitch.


By 4pm, there were some finished baskets, and some great progress by others, who had decided to make a large basket to hold knitting.

There was lots of chatting and visiting to see what other's baskets were looking like and seeing how different fabric choices were working.  







I explained that I save all the selvedge edges from the fabric I buy, and make scrappy baskets, so I think I have people looking a the selvedges with "new eyes".




I must say that I was tired by the end of the day - my first full one since I was ill, but when I returned home, I sat and wrapped some selvedges around some clothesline!