Make It Sew: Baskets and a Skinny Pincushion!

MAKE IT SEW is a group of quilters and sewists who enjoy making small projects and quilts.

March Project of the Month: Skinny Pincushion - perfect for leftover jelly roll strips - bring TWO 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles and FOUR 2.5" squares. The rest of the supplies will be provided.

March Block of the Month: 4" Basket Block (read below)

Each month in 2024, we will be learning how to make a different "bitty block" that can be used in large or small projects. If you make a set of "bitty blocks" each month, you can slowly make the row quilt as shown below or use your blocks on various smaller projects. 

These blocks are perfect for the beginning quilter, as you will learn 'quilting basics' throughout the year. Quilting Daily shared these free online patterns a few years ago, and they are still available. The URL for the Basket pattern is below:

https://s31968.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/pdf/QMBittyBlocks-BasketBlock.pdf

In this month's class, we will be making the 4" Basket block. If you are new to rotary cutting, help will be available! Bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies. At the time you register, please let me know if you need to use one of the Library's sewing machines. Rotary cutting equipment and ironing board stations will be available to use at each class.

A kit to make one block will be provided at class. Feel free to bring your own fabric to make more blocks as time permits!

Each Basket block takes three fabrics, two prints and a contrasting background. Here is what you need for one block. You will learn how to make half-square triangles. 

Background fabric:

2" squares (4)

3" square (1) 

1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangle (2)

Print fabric 1 (for top of basket):

2" squares (3)

Print fabric 2 (for basket base):

2" square (1)

3" square (1)

If you want to make a quilt similar to the one below, you will need to eventually make 12 Basket blocks.