Nifty Napkin Basket

Now you can create a fun basket for every occasion. Just think of all the compliments you'll receive at your next gathering!

Design by Michelle Strassburg

Skill Level

Confident Beginner

Finished Size

Basket Size: Approximately 7½" × 7½" × 2"

Materials

• 8 (4¼" × 12") A strips assorted prints and tonals
• 1 (4¼" × 33") B strip print or tonal
• 1 (2½" × 40") binding strip
• 4 yards 1¾"-wide nonwoven sew-in stabilizer
• Thread
• Basic sewing tools and supplies

Project Notes

Read all instructions before beginning this project.

Stitch right sides together using a ¼" seam allowance unless otherwise specified.

Cutting

From stabilizer:

• Cut 8 (1¾" × 12") strips.

• Cut 1 (1¾" × 31½") strip.

Completing the Basket

1. Fold an A strip in half lengthwise with right sides together and stitch along one long side as shown inFigure 1 to make a tube. Turn tube right side out. Repeat with all A strips to make a total of eight tubes.

2. Referring to Figure 2, insert a same-length stabilizer strip inside each A tube. Note: Gathering the tube over a pair of needle-nose pliers will allow you to grab the stabilizer at one end and pull it through the tube.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 using a B strip and the long stabilizer strip to make a B tube.

4. Bring ends of the B tube together. Push the fabric back, butt the stabilizer ends and, using a zigzag stitch, sew the ends together to form a loop as shown in Figure 3. Fold under one end of the fabric tube and pull it over the opposite raw edge so the stabilizer is completely covered; press and machine-stitch through all layers to secure.

5. Referring to Figure 4, arrange four A tubes vertically with long sides touching. Weave the four remaining A tubes over and under the vertical tubes.

6. Position the B loop around the edge of the woven section and clip or pin in place. Weave ends of A tubes into the B loop to form the basket sides as shown in Figure 5. Once all sides are woven, stitch around the top of the basket 1/8" from the edge to secure tubes. Note: Binding clips are an easy way to hold each A tube on the B loop as you are weaving.

7. Bind the top edge referring to Quilting Basics.

Takeoff Table Runner

Sometimes less is more. This easy yet fun table runner could be just what you need to add a dramatic statement to a room. Or maybe it could be a last-minute gift for a dear friend.

Designed & Quilted by Holly Daniels

Skill Level

Confident Beginner

Finished Sizes

Runner Size: 36" × 12"

Block Size: 6" × 3"

Number of Blocks: 12

Materials

• Small piece (at least 7" × 7") each 12 light gray prints
• 5/8 yard black print
• Backing to size
• Batting to size
• Flying geese trimming ruler (optional)
• Thread
• Basic sewing tools and supplies

Project Notes

Read all instructions before beginning this project.

Stitch right sides together using a ¼" seam allowance unless otherwise specified.

Materials and cutting lists assume 40" of usable fabric width for yardage.

Cutting

From each light gray print:

• Cut 2 (3½") A squares and 1 (3½" × 6½") C rectangle for a total of 24 A squares and 12 C rectangles.

From black print:

• Cut 2 (3½" by fabric width) strips.

Subcut strips into 12 (3½" × 6½") B rectangles.

• Cut 3 (2¼" by fabric width) binding strips.

Completing the Blocks

1. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each A square.

2. Select two matching A squares and one B rectangle. With right sides facing, position an A square on one end of B and stitch on the drawn line as shown in Figure 1. Trim ¼" from the sewn line and press A open. Repeat with the remaining A square on the opposite end of B to make a Flying Geese block.

3. Repeat step 2 to make a total of 12 Flying Geese blocks.

Completing the Runner

Refer to the Assembly Diagram as needed for construction.

1. Select a C rectangle to match the A pieces in one block. Sew the matching C rectangle to the bottom of the block to make an X vertical row; press. Repeat to make a total of six X rows.

2. Repeat step 1 to make six Y rows except sew C to the top end of each block.

3. Sew the X and Y rows alternately together to complete the runner top; press.

4. Create a quilt sandwich referring to Quilting Basics.

5. Quilt as desired.

6. Join the binding strips and bind the edges referring to Quilting Basics.

Cherry Marmalade Topper

Sometimes working with templates can yield beautiful results. These easy templates are well worth the effort to try.

Designed & Quilted by Carolyn S. Vagts

Skill Level

Beginner

Finished Sizes

Topper Size: 32" × 32"

Block Size: 10" × 10"

Number of Blocks: 9

Materials

• ½ yard cream batik
• ½ yard tan batik
• 5/8 yard brown batik
• 1 1/8 yards red batik
• Backing to size
• Batting to size
• Template material
• Thread
• Basic sewing tools and supplies

Project Notes

Read all instructions before beginning this project.

Stitch right sides together using a ¼" seam allowance unless otherwise specified.

Materials and cutting lists assume 40" of usable fabric width for yardage.

Cutting

Prepare templates using patterns provided.

From cream batik:

• Cut 18 triangle shapes for B.

• Reverse template and cut 18 triangle shapes for C.

From tan batik:

• Cut 18 triangle shapes for E.

• Reverse template and cut 18 triangle shapes for F.

From brown batik:

• Cut 18 kite shapes for D.

From red batik:

• Cut 18 kite shapes for A.

• Cut 4 (1½" by fabric width) strips.

Subcut strips into 2 each 1½" × 30½" G and 1½" × 32½" H strips.

• Cut 4 (2¼" by fabric width) binding strips.

Completing the Blocks

1. Sew B to one angled edge of A to make an A-B unit as shown in Figure 1; press. Repeat to make a total of 18 A-B...