Why not try a new technique of fabric wrapping while creating these useful and very addictive rope baskets?
Made by SALLIEANNE HARRISON From her book: ELEVATE YOUR SCRAP SEWING PROJECTS
ACCESSORY PROJECT
BEHIND THE PROJECT THERAPEUTIC & FUN!
“The ‘rope basket bug’ first got to me over ten years ago and I became utterly obsessed. It has enabled me to use up heaps of Liberty scraps that otherwise would’ve been thrown away. It’s totally therapeutic to sew and incredibly addictive!” – Sallieanne Harrison
You will need
■ Cotton rope – approximately 20m in length and with a 5.5mm diameter, to make a medium-sized bowl
■ Fabric to wrap your rope (Sallieanne used Liberty Tana Lawn) – ⅝yd
■ A sewing machine in good working order with a zigzag stitch and open toe foot
■ Needles, size dependent on threads used (Sallieanne used Microtex and jeans needles)
■ 50-60wt threads, monofilament threads, lots of pre-wound bobbins (Note: the bobbin thread will be on the outside of your bowl)
■ Extra fine appliqué pins
■ Sewing clips/mini crocodile clips
■ Fabric glue
■ Dritz Fray Check
■ 1in x 2in leather strip and a Chicago screw (optional)
Finished size
■ Top edge: approx. 8½in diameter
■ Height: 3in
■ Base: approx. 6in diameter
Notes
■ Sewing machine needles – Sallieanne uses Schmetz Microtex, mainly size 80/12 or 70/10 for finer threads. It really is a case of trial and error to see what works best for your sewing machine.
■ Threads – Sallieanne suggests using 50wt cotton variegated threads, 50wt polyester threads, 50wt cotton threads and good quality monofilament, such as YLI paired with Bottom Line polyester 60wt (this is what she used on her Liberty baskets). Sallieanne’s sewing machine does not allow for the use of heavier weight threads – therefore, she has never tried a heavier weight thread for this pattern.
■ Fabrics and wrapping – although Sallieanne has only ever tried cotton strips, she notes that you should be able to use polycotton or any fabric that doesn’t fray too readily to wrap. Sallieanne used Liberty Tana Lawn for her Liberty baskets, which worked well.
■ Rope types – Beware of slightly wide, floppy rope, such as macrame rope, as these kinds of rope do not make for a good basket. Sallieanne finds that cotton always works and has also seen some lovely baskets made with nylon rope – but this could be heavy on your machine (unless, of course, you have an
