Basket case

Election day is finally here and for residents of Ohio, at least, it couldn't come soon enough.  The phone's been ringing off the hook with calls from campaigns, pollsters, special interest groups and the mailbox has been stuffed with political junk mail.  The polls are so close that until the results are announced, I'll be a basket case.  Or maybe I am a little bit anyhow.

I am having a lot of fun with these baskets.  I'm still not sure how they're going to come together, though.  And that caused me some problems this week.  Because it's necessary to decide on pressing directions as you assemble these blocks, I fell back to my standard choice with baskets, pressing in toward the basket body to accomodate outline quilting.  But at some point, it dawned on me that especially considering the small size of these, it was going to result in a lot of bulk if I put them together in 4-patches, like the classic stamps.

So I grabbed a couple of blocks and did a test join.  As carefully as I pinned and adjusted and as slowly as I fed them under the needle, they still jogged off-kilter slightly.  If that wasn't a big deal, the bulk, even after pressing the join seam open, was prohibitive...a big wad of fabric layers at the delicate point.  Hmmm.

I had a few blocks still in pieces, ready to assemble after appliqueing the handles (my evening handwork), so I pressed the side seams on the basket bodies open as I sewed them up.  Despite my reluctance - I'm a traditionalist, I prefer to press one way or the other - I do think this offers a lot more flexibility in final quilt assembly once I decide on a layout as well as quilting ease if I go with an overall pattern vs. an outline. 

And they matched up like a dream.

The downside was that I had to gently pull apart seams on all of the blocks I had already made to re-stitch and press them.  That kept me busy, but I'm back on track now.  What's kept you busy this week?  (Besides trying to stay comfortable ~ *warm* wishes to all of my blog friends who are still suffering without power after the storm!)

Comments

[paula.thequilter]

Being in a swing state hasn't been fun. I'm in Colorado and can SO relate to the phone calls, junk mail and (hateful) commercials. Such cute little baskets.

[Barb Robson]

Wonderful quilt as always!Love the 2 blocks with the black backgrounds and the splash of red.

Here is a tip for matching those tricky points - match them right sides together - no pins, then just take 5 or 6 stitches over the seam/points. Open it up, check to make sure they match ok, if they don't just pull on the bobbin thread and pull the 5 or 6 stitches out. Try again, once you are satisfied then sew the whole seam. This is from my friend Heather who says "pins are for sissies"!

[Maria]

Your baskets are lovely.
I so love tradition quilts, well made it fresh colors.
I just love yours.
And on your election: we should give ourselves a BIG shake and be grateful for the opportunity to at least have a vote.

[Julie]

No swing state here, but the calls and commercials were still oppressive. Your baskets are looking great! I love the black/grey/cheddar color scheme!

[Kate]

I've enjoyed following your election from afar, the US system is so different to ours in Australia, (our pollies are still annoying 'tho!!)
Love the progress you are making with your baskets...gorgeous, gorgeous. Really like the occasional black background.

[Tonya Ricucci]

beautiful!

[Thimbleanna]

You're killing me with those cute baskets! Next time you start a quilt, you should just have a quilt along -- no matter what it is, I'm sure to love it. Very interesting about those seams -- I'm a traditionalist too and would have a VERY tough time ironing those seams open. I can see how it would make a big difference though!

[Teresa Rawson]

Your baskets are delightful! I love how two have dark backgrounds. :o)

Very clever, pressing the seams open. I should try that...sometimes, it's the only decent thing to do!

I too am glad all the nonsense is over! The phone calls in Michigan have been to horrible, even though we had ceased to be that much of a swing state. I wish all that negative ad money could have gone for a good cause! It was a nail-biter for a while!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

[Linda in NC]

What a great collection of baskets you already have! (Well worth all the seam re-do.) I love the dots with them. Will you be incorporating those?

I always enjoy seeing what you are working on; you have such a great color/fabric sense. Very inspiring.

[Donna]

Great baskets! Can only imagine all the stuff you've had to deal with in Ohio! I'm so glad it's over and I'm in a state that neither party cares enough to visit.

[Jeannette]

This is going to be an awesome quilt! I never press open seams either who would have thought, great discovery! Thanks for posting!

[barb]

Hooray for Ohio, the swing state. My daughter voted in your state and saw Michelle Obama at a rally at Miami.
Love the baskets and your choice of limited color scheme. Isn't it interesting to see how the value changes make such a big different in the look of them.
I agree about the open seams. It makes a much smoother finish.

[Cathy at PotterJotter]

Your baskets are so lovely and your patience is inspirational! I have just started my very first quilt and am so enjoying it, though my results won't be half so good as yours. Will post it up if I'm brave enough! xCathy

[Janet]

I'm loving your baskets! Great color combination.

[Anita]

I love, love, love your baskets!! And I couldn't be more glad to be rid of the political junk mail and robo-calls. Blech.

[Meredithe]

Loving these baskets. Co-incidentally, I've just unearthed a basket kit to start and am now Really Inspired to get going with it. Thank you!

[Dixie]

Just love your basket blocks - are they six-inch blocks? Really want to make a quilt like yours! Thanks as always for the inspiration.

[Sharon]

I love how the reverse blocks look so much bigger than the other blocks, Very cute selection of prints, this is going to be stunning.

[Brenda Yates]

I found this site while searching for John Sauls Antiques in Tyler, TX... and fell in love with those beautiful quilts!

Now I find that I love this site, too..

thanks for showing all the lovely things and telling us about your great finds.

BY in Oregon

[Hélène]

Beautiful baskets - I am intrigued what you will be doing with the small circles ?!???
What a good idea from Barb - I will try that!