Kristen: Sewing Basket Success!

As you may have noticed, I have already made these lovely baskets for Becky's baby shower. They have been quite popular with the ladies who won them in our game, and I'm happy to see them in use!

Now I will show you how to make them! They're fairly easy, and I have research to back them up! First, here is a quick reminder of the sewing basket research, which you can find on my blog here. In the 1861 Godey's Ladies Magazine, I found a lovely chintz basket that would be *PERFECT* for little sewing trips, instead of lugging around a huge bucket full of fabric...

Not completely satisfied, I needed to find at least one original. And I did find only one original! For some reason the website doesn't work anymore, but I was able to save the file to my computer.

When I find more sources, I will add them! Armed with a historical and original source, I planned my attack! And by attack, I mean I messed it up horribly and nearly gave up. Undeterred, I measured, cut, and sewed a few times until I had a template that fit. Here are my instructions:

Sewing Basket Tutorial

1. Materials: .5 yard cotton/silk material, matching thread, 3 chipboard sheets, long piece of tin for handle. Cut out pieces into the following shapes from the chipboard. There is not one particular "correct" size, though they shouldn't be too large. I don't have a picture of them uncovered, but here is what they should look like finished.

2. Cut and glue fabric to fit the chipboard shapes, leaving a half inch all around. Don't go too short on this; it's easier to trim later than add fabric! Next, roll 1 side of the fabric under a side, doing the same throughout the piece. A simple whip stitch around, and voila! (Actually, this takes the longest time).

3. You should have 7 fabric covered pieces now. Sew the two sides to the bottom.

3. And then the two ends...

4. Finally, attach the lid and the inner dividing piece. That last piece is the trickiest! I try my best to tack it down, though sometimes the glue from the side pieces interferes. At this point, your basket is just about done, leaving the handle for last.

5. The handle can also be pretty tricky. I'm using this intense tin that was given to me, and it is quite strong. Since tin can be sharp on its edges, I taped it down for safety purposes! 

 6. After fitting the fabric to the tin handle, I did just a small swipe of hot glue to attach the two. It's the only glue that has really gotten anything to stick to the tin...did I mention I hate tin? Then do a quick stitch folding over the fabric.

7. Finally, attach the handle to the basket. I usually do a glue/stitch mix. For an added touch I made a little needle case and pouch. Success!

Now I have this lovely little sewing case that I have no use for...Etsy soon! And possibly a pattern too!

Have you tried to make a basket like this? Please link or give me photos to look at!

~Kristen

Kristen: Acorn Thread Waxer Tutorial

Seriously, I should sleep someday. How do I make time for this?

Well, dear reader, the fact is that I DO make the time, and you are the one to benefit for it! (Also, I benefit for having a creative outlet for my energy). Today's tutorial involves the acorn thread waxer, or as I affectionately call it, the project-I-really-want-to-do-because-I-don't-see-many-people-with-it.

It all began on pinterest. O, that obsessive online forum that sucks the very life from my cheeks! One day I was minding my own business, perusing that sweet addiction, when I can across this picture.

IT MUST BE A MISTAKE! NOTHING THAT PRECIOUS COULD ACTUALLY EXIST! BUT THEN...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VICTORIAN-FIGURAL-RASPBERRY-THREAD-WAXER-c1890-STERLING-Chatelaine-Fob-/271067317168?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1cdf03b0

My mind racing, my heart pounding, I kept finding more images...

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Unique-pair-of-Sterling-Cap-Strawberry-Emeries-1-is-Wax-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$(KGrHqZHJBYE9uMIY7JsBPiG(95RlQ~~60_57.JPG?rt=nc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VICTORIAN-wax-BLACK-RASBERRY-BUNCH-STERLING-SILVER-leaf-cap-for-waxing-thread-/271293932903?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f2a60e567

It started to make sense. I'd been carrying around this lump of wax, having already lost previous ugly lumps. It was an embarrassment, an ugly outfit that I wore for its utility, not style. Why not carry a little thread waxer on a string, in a pleasant shape? Next came the historical research...

Godey's Lady's Book, 1864

Yes, they do exist in the wax form, not only in real life examples, but in Godey's Lady's Book! Determined, I decided to give it a try.

1. Start by melting the chunk of wax in a double boiler. Since I am too lazy to buy one, I simply put water in one pot, and the other in it with wax. WARNING: You might burn yourself. Don't be cheap like me, buy yourself a double boiler.

2. Prepare your mold. I just pressed this acorn top into the play-dough. That is the little soutache that I held in it while it tried (1 minute at the most). 

 3. When it is completely dried, remove play-dough, slip on bead cap, and enjoy your work!

 4. Or you could admire how many went so terribly wrong...

 Please...put us out of our misery...

My creative side satisfied, I went to bed. Just kidding! I had to stay behind and clean up that massive mess I made in the kitchen. It was totally worth it for that one acorn!

There is nothing more fulfilling than having an experiment work!

~Kristen

*******Hey everyone! Voting for the American Duchess Photo Contest continues until Fri., December 6th! I am currently in 2nd place!

http://woobox.com/uxemh3/vote/for/1708948

UPDATE: The contest was canceled due to a cheater.