Teeny Tiny Garden Basket ~ Part Two

 If you've ever wanted to try making an applique handle basket block, now is a great time to give it a whirl.  You don't need a lot of fabric, and you'll see it's not hard at all.  So....please join me in this tutorial!

Ready to begin the handle applique adventure?  No worries....I'll take you through every step of the way.  

Follow along with the instructions in your Garden Basket pattern.  If you need the pattern, click here.

The first step is to cut your bias strip.  Follow the directions in the pattern to cut the strip.

Using the Clover 1/4 inch bias maker, push the pointed edge of the bias strip into the wide part of the tool.

You may need to help the fabric through by inserting the tip of a pin in the slot on the bottom and push the fabric until it comes out a bit.  

Stop when the fabric begins to come out of the narrow end.

Grab a little of the fabric, and then iron the fabric as you pull the tape maker along, ironing as you go.

The bias maker automatically turns the (tiny) raw edges of the strip under while you press it in place.  Voila!  Amazing and so, so easy!  Trim the bias strip to the size for the handle as stated in the pattern.

Mark the triangle as instructed in the pattern (that way you will get a perfectly symmetrical handle every time!), then stay stitch the ends of the handle in place at the very bottom of the triangle.

Smooth the handle with your fingers and glue in position.  The center of the handle should touch the square you drew at the top of the triangle.

Hand or machine stitch the handle to the background triangle.

If hand stitching, I recommend using silk thread.  You can read my silk thread tutorial here.

Sew the basket bottom unit to the handle unit.  So darn cute already!

Add the basket side units....

...and the bottom triangle.  Your basket is done!  If you're like me, you wanna make more of them....lot's more!

Remember, if an applique basket isn't in your wheelhouse, no worries!  The Garden Basket pattern includes this all-pieced basket for you to make instead.

I added the three petal appliques to my basket a bit later in the process.  

Also, I received a lot of emails inquiring about the background fabric I used, and the pieced fabrics in the basket block.  

The pieced fabrics are mostly from my Prairie Dry Goods collection, but used many fabrics from other collections, too.

The background fabric is from my Farmer's Daughter collection and can be purchased here.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, I'd love to know.  My blog comments haven't been working well for a long time, so if you'd like, email me with your thoughts: Pam@HeartspunQuilts.com

Next up....we will tackle the pieced border and finish our quilt!

IN THE STUDIO.....I'm working on a bunch of new things and need to make some room for the new stuff that will be coming.  So, I've selected a bunch of patterns and put them on sale for $5 each.  Click here to browse the sale patterns.

Keep your needle busy and your heart content.  Be well....