Design Challenge :: Bedside Trio

Hi everyone!  I'm really excited to be sharing these projects as part of the Sew Lux Design Challenge.  When Chrissy first asked me if I'd be interested in making something, I immediately thought it must include Vintage Modern and embroidery.  A short time later, I was out shopping and looking for more canvas baskets for the kid's dressers, only to find the ones I liked were no longer available.  It seemed like the perfect opportunity to make my own.

I then thought that a smaller, nesting basket would be nice, but enough smaller that it doubles as a divider instead of just a smaller basket.  I chose a couple favorite Vintage Modern prints, added a few others I loved, picked out some coordinating threads, and made a fun bedside set.

Supplies:

• 6 Fat Quarters {my very own bundle!}
• 6 Colors Perle Cotton Thread {a great introduction to stitching!}
• 1/2 yard batting {I used Pellon® Fusible Thermolam® Plus}
• 1/2 yard heavy interfacing {I used Pellon® Decor Bond®}
• Embroidery pattern download

For the large basket, from each printed fat quarter, cut 2 - 3 1/2" x 18" strips.  Cut the strips into 10 - 3 1/2" squares from each fabric.  From the porcelain fat quarter cut 2 - 7" x 18" strips.  From each strip cut one 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangle {bottom of large basket} and 4 - 3 1/2" squares.

Note: the outside of the baskets are sewing with 1/4" seam allowance, for the inside to fit and not be bunched up {like my large basket!}, sew the bottom seams and the side construction seams with a 3/8" seam allowance.

Large Basket

From the 3 1/2" squares piece 4 - 5 squares x 2 squares pieces for the basket - two for the body and two for the lining {note, I used three porcelain pieces on the basket body, none on the lining}.

Use the two outside panels and one porcelain 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangle and sew together to form an "I" shape:

Then, place the outside of basket on batting and trim batting to fit {if using fusbile batting, follow manufacturer's directions and fuse in place}, then quilt as desired {I quilted in the ditch of all the seams and then quilted a large "X" across all the print square.

Embroider the squares as shown.  If you're new to embroidery, you can find my Embroidery 101 tutorials here.

Sew the short patchwork side seams, press open {I also top stitched my side seams to keep the fabrics in place}.  Please note: if using Fusible Thermolam - only press the fabric or use a press cloth, it will melt if touched with the iron, I know this from experience!  Turn your basket right side out and press all the corners.

Make the lining using the same method but, instead of batting, use the heavy interfacing.  I omitted the quilting on my lining.  Place the lining inside the basket and top stitch 1/8" from the raw edge.  Set aside.

Small Basket
 

To make the small basket, cut one 5 " x 18" strip from each printed fat quarter, from each strip cut 2 - 5" squares.  Assemble the basket in the same manner as the large basket, using heavy interfacing for both the outside and the lining.  Use a 1/4" seam allowance for the outer basket, and 3/8" for the inner.  Place the inner basket inside the outer, wrong sides together, and top stitch them together.

Bind the Baskets

Then, from each printed fat quarter, cut one 2 1/2" x 18" strip, cut one extra 2 1/2" strip {for added interest, I also cut one of the remaining 5" wide pieces into two 2 1/2" strips and sewed one of them to my binding strip}.  Sew the strips together to make one long length of scrappy binding.  Fold the binding in half, wrong sides together, and press.

Place binding, fold down, around the outside edge of basket.  Stitch 1/4" from raw edge, leaving 4" of unstitched binding.  Join seam and finish stitching the binding around the basket.  Fold over raw edge.

Machine stitch binding in place {I like to use pins when machine stitching to make sure the bindings are nice and even}, and you're finished!  Bind the larger basket the same way, using the scrappy binding.

Embroidered Mini Quilt

And, since every dresser or nightstand needs a mini quilt, I used the 16 of remaining 3 1/2" squares to do a matching embroidery quilt.  After piecing the squares in the same manner as the large basket, I fused a square of batting to the back and then stitched my embroideries in the same manner as the large basket.

I used the remaining 5" pieces to do a scrappy backing, and the two leftover 3 1/2" squares to make corner pockets, so I can hang it on the wall if I chose!

Thanks so much for having me today, and I hope you enjoy making this as much as I have, it would make a perfect baby gift too {hint, hint!}.  And the fat quarter bundles and perle cotton samplers are on a special sale until August 4th, so get one while they're available.  Enjoy!