How to Make a Basket Quilt

Figure B

Steps:
Neutral background, Handle and Tulips
1. To piece the handle, start by drawing a diagonal line to bisect a 13-1/4-inch square of neutral background fabric. Stay-stitch 1/4 inch along each side of the drawn line to help control bias stretch. Use a straight edge and a rotary cutter to cut on the drawn diagonal line. This will render two triangles, enough for two blocks — repeat for a second set of blocks.

Figure C

2. Working with one triangle piece cut in step 1, fold the triangle in half and crease to find the center. Unfold, then center and trace the basket handle pattern onto the triangle using a permanent marking pen. Repeat for all four triangles, then set aside.

Figure D

3. For the basket handles, cut a 13-1/2-inch strip (selvedge to selvedge) from the dark basket fabric. Using a 6" x 24" quilting ruler, locate the 45-degree line and line it up with a selvedge edge of the fabric and cut on the bias. Using this bias cut as a starting point, measure and cut four 1-3/8-inch bias strips.

4. Press each handle strip in half with right sides of the fabric out. Pair a pressed handle strip with each neutral background triangle from step 2. Do the next three steps for each of the four pairs.

Figure F

5. Working with the point of the triangle pointing down (away from the machine, toward you), align one end of the pressed handle with the left side of the traced pattern on the triangle, overhanging the first 1/2 inch. Stitch the raw edges of the handle to the traced pattern on the neutral background triangle with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Tug the handle strip as you're stitching it down, creating a puckered look that will allow the handle to lay flat once the folded edge is stitched down.

Figure H

6. Press the attached handle over on the neutral background piece, hiding the stitches. Use steam if desired.

Figure J

7. Stitch the folded edge of the handle to the neutral background piece using a blind hem stitch and monofilament thread.

8. To fashion tulip stems, cut a 1-1/4-inch bias strips of green fabric. Press the strip in half with right sides out. Cut at varying lengths and position on the neutral background/handle section of the block, attaching them to the neutral background piece in the same manner as the bias handle (steps 5, 6 and 7). Trace tulip and leaf patterns onto selected materials, then cut out and use your favorite method of applique to attach them to the neutral background/handle/stem piece.

Figure K

Basket

1. Cut eight 2-3/4" x 10" neutral background fabric strips for the sides (two for each block) and two 5-1/2-inch squares for the bottom. Cut the squares on the diagonal — you'll use half for each block.

2. For the basket, cut a 7-inch square from medium basket fabric, then cut it on both diagonals to form the center triangle of the basket (use a quarter piece per block). Cut four 2-1/2-inch squares of medium basket fabric for the center diamonds (one of each block). Cut eight 2-1/2" x 8" strips to form the basket sides (two per block) and four 3-inch squares, bisected diagonally, for the basket "feet" (one per block).

3. Working on one block at a time, layout the pieces of the basket as shown. Flip the 2-1/2-inch square so it's right sides together on top of the bottom 8-inch strip. Flip the side 8-inch strip so it's right sides together on top of the medium fabric triangle.

Figure M

4. Picking up the bottom piece first, sew the 2-1/2-inch square to the bottom 8-inch strip, then without pinning or clipping the thread, butt the side 8-inch strip atop the triangle right behind the 2-1/2-inch square atop the bottom 8-inch strip.

5. Lay the unit out flat, then flip it right sides together in the opposite direction, "wiggle-match" the seams together, then stitch the other side. Press the seam to the medium.

Figure N

6. Stitch the dark basket fabric triangles cut from 3-inch squares to the bottom of the 10-inch neutral background side pieces.

Figure O

7. Position the neutral background sides to the center basket piece, then stitch.

8. Square off the bottom of the basket feet and stitch on a neutral background fabric triangle cut from the 5-1/2-inch square.

Figure P

9. Use a straight edge and rotary cutter to trim the top of the basket so it measures 5-3/4 inches.

Figure Q

Assembly

1. Stitch the basket and basket handle units together to form the four blocks.

2. Stitch the four blocks together to form a large diamond shape.

3. Cut two 10-1/2-inch print background squares. Bisect these diagonally to form four triangles.

4. Determine measurements for binding and borders using the triangles cut from 10-1/2-inch squares, and the diamond-shape basket block assembly. Stitch borders, triangles and binding together, creating four units. Stitch each of these units to the top and bottom sides of the basket block unit.