Divided Baskets

Have you ever thought to yourself,

"What a great idea, and it's so simple

that I could have come up with it on my own!"

Well...this is NOT one of those times!

When I finished making my first

Divided Basket using Noodlehead's pattern,

I was kind of shocked that it really worked!

{That's what a genius Anna is!}

Before I ever began cutting and sewing,

I read the pattern through...

about 6 times...

trying to imagine how this was going to happen.

Oh, I knew it would turn out great somehow,

because there was all kinds of proof on the internet.

Anna had some talented people test her pattern,

and every one of them had success in a huge way.

Read the Noodlehead post for more examples.

{This one is by Lindsay of LRStitched.}

Source:  Noodlehead blog

I finally realized that this basket is not something

that is turned right-side-out at the very end.

There is a much more elegant and stress-free method

to create these baskets,

without the need to perform what amounts to a C-section,

in order to produce a finished basket.

I just plain followed the directions,

and at the end, I was rewarded with a lovely basket.

I am so pleased with my choices of fabrics

for my first divided basket.

I combined unrelated fabrics,

within a gray and yellow color palette.

It looks like the signature style of Susie's Sunroom, doesn't it?

The outside fabrics are home dec prints.
They give the basket a nice amount of sturdiness
and a pretty shape.

I found the text print at fabric.com

and I love the way it looks with a remnant

in yellow and gray that I picked up at JoAnn.

For the interior,

I think this Amy Butler print from Midwest Modern

is just right.

Now that my test drive was a big success,

I had the nerve to cut into a set of fabrics that I've been keeping

for just the perfect pattern.

Remember this post about the little bundle

I put together for a Fat Quarter Shop contest?

My prints remind me of a picnic in the meadow...

and obviously for any picnic, you're gonna need a BASKET.

I am happy to report that this little picnic basket

translated directly from my imagination

into my real world.

The gingham pocket is so charming against

the field of gray mushrooms.

Inside, the Gypsy Girl animal print is light and playful.

I still can't get over how clever this design is!
Even though I used quilting weight cottons this time,
the basket still has enough soft support to keep its shape.
The recommended interfacing does the trick!

There is room for creativity with this pattern,
in the print selection and placement.
It can be sewn with, or without,
a front pocket.

My favorite features are the little carrying handles.
I'm going to use my basket all summer long
on our deck, for holding napkins, plates, and other picnic items.

For those of you who have also made these baskets...
has anyone got tips on how to mail them inexpensively???
Please feel free to send me your advice.
I would love to make more to sell or send as gifts,
but am not quite sure how to package them.

I think I see many more baskets in my future.

Be sure to share your Across the Pond Sew Along
baskets for May, on the Flickr page!
There is lots of great inspiration over there!