Directions for Monogrammed Fancy Woven Basket / September 2002
(This project utilizes letters from our Diamond
Monogram Set 3.)
This project utilizes a
museum-quality Nantucket woven basket, with a padded top. It is the perfect compliment
to our Diamond Monogram Set 3, since the letters have a woven background as a
fill pattern.
Step 1. Print the template and
instructions.
These are .pdf files, and
require Adobe Acrobat Reader software in order to view and print.
To insure printing in exact size, be sure that FIT TO PAGE (see Properties under
the Print Menu) is not selected.
Step 2. Sew out the letter of your choice.
Hoop your choice of fabric
with the appropriate stabilizer.
We used a medium-weight
white satin fabric, and matched it with one layer of medium-weight tearaway stabilizer.
Be sure to use a piece
of fabric that is 12" (30.5 cm) x 12" (30.5 cm) or larger. This will
insure that there is sufficient fabric to properly wrap the padded top.
Step 3. Trim the fabric
After the design has been
sewn, turn the fabric over and tear away the excess stabilizer.
Using a compass that is
set to produce a circle that is 7 1/2" (19.05 cm) in diameter, draw a circle
around the design on the back of the fabric by placing the sharp point of the
compass at the center of the design. Use a soft pencil in the compass, and draw
the circle carefully.
Trim the fabric along the
pencil line with sharp scissors.
Step 4. Assemble the top
By hand, sew a running
stitch around the edge of the fabric 1/4" (8mm), using a needle and heavy
thread. Try to place the stitches so that there is approximately 1/8" (4mm)
between each stitch. Leave a long tail at each end, with both ends of the tail
exiting on the back side of the fabric.
Place the embroidered fabric
wrong side up, and place the foam cushion in the center, foam side down.
Press down on the foam,
compressing it, and pull the ends of the thread, adjusting the gathers to be smooth,
and pull until there is an open center about 1" (25mm) in diameter. Tie the
thread ends firmly. Turn the padded top over and adjust as necessary so that the
monogram is accurately centered.
Step 5. Finish the top.
Choose a piece of cording
approximately 12" (30.5 cm) long. It is best to have a little excess cording
to insure that it will go all the way around the top.
Rather than a fabric cording,
we chose a small beaded cord, which lends a nice contrast to the woven basket.
By hand, whip stitch the
cording around the circumference of the padded top, about half-way down the sides
of the cushion. This provides a ìstop" so that the cushion does not
fall into the basket.
OPTIONAL: you can make
two small loops out of ribbon or cording, placing them on opposite sides, and
stitch them to the sides of cushion to act as ìlifters" for the cushion.
If you are going to do this the handles should be attached prior to sewing on
the cording, with the excess brought to the back side of the top. We found that
the top of such a small basket was easy to lift off without handles, so we skipped
this step.
Step 6. Finish the back side of the top.
Cut a circle of ultrasuede
or non-fray fabric, and glue it to the back of the cushion with a fabric glue,
or with a hot glue gun. This not only gives the back a finished look, but also
hides the gathers and running stitch, and helps to stabilize the top fabric so
that it wonít shift with use.
The cushion top is press
fit, and can be easily lifted off for access to the inside of the basket.
Congratulations! Your project is complete.
Fabric and cording
Widely available from sewing
stores.
4" (102mm) Nantucket
Woven Basket:
Manufactured for Sudberry House, the basket is available at many gift and craft
shops, or online from the companyís website at:
http://www.sudberry.com
(The basket is # 30000
- 4" Nantucket Small Basket, and the cushion insert is # 30001 - Matching
3 1/2" Pincushion. Please note that these are separate items, and both must
be ordered)
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