When I go back to England, it's always fun, if time allows, to take along handmade gifts for friends I'm meeting up with.
Last year I sewed up dish towels,
and shared my tute with you here,
this year I made Pixie Baskets.
The Pixie Basket is a free pattern by Heidi of Fabric Mutt - available here. I adapted them slightly as I progressed, so the lining fitted more snuggly and changed measurements to suit the amount of fabric I had to hand and allow for fussy cutting.
I've had several social media requests to share my method to make the lining smoother, so I've created a tute that you can follow by clicking the image below:
It was a bit of a production line, and I made 13 in total.
This one has stayed in America - I gifted it to a friend who loves the Wizard of Oz.
Here're some Amy Butler/Lotta Jansdotter and Cotton + Steel versions.
And a couple of more masculine ones made from Timeless Treasures fabrics.
You can see just how small these baskets are here with an Aurifil cotton reel standing in one (2" x 3" x 3-1/2") !!!
Everyone who received one loved it, and they've been put to good use for emptying pockets of cards, cash, and keys when they get home or to hold their watches, rings, and other jewellery when they go to bed. One pixie basket has already been on holiday with its new owner and was a safe place for their room key and other odds and ends during their hotel stay. My PB is storing my sunglasses and lip balm by my front door, so I can't leave home without them.
Have you made a Pixie Basket yet? What are you using yours for?
Featured on:
Clicking on an image will take you to a new page of crafty goodness :)
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only; no payment or commission is received on click-throughs, and opinions are my own.
Click to follow me on
Ohhh! They are so beautiful one netx to the other! What a production!!
ReplyDeleteI have two baskets (well mine have another shape but the same function): one for the keys at the entrance and one for my make-up in the bathroom!
These are super cute Chrissie. No wonder their new owners love them.
ReplyDeleteE xx
Love the fabrics you've used. I live in East Yorkshire, about 2.5 hours from Newcastle and of course I understand you're heading :)
ReplyDeleteI'm from St Helens, Lancashire (now Merseyside) originally then 20+ years in Wiltshire before moving out to the States 5 years ago. I love our English colloquialisms and sayings - Chris :D
DeleteThey're lovely, and will make great little gifts. You've given me an idea, thank you.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I use mine by my sewing machine.
ReplyDeleteLovely collection Chris - I have a similar basket next to my bed for lip balm, hand cream and pen and paper for night time notes! xx
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely. Sure that your friends will appreciate them. I am suffering from a similar ailment right now (basket case). Now, how do I get on your friends list :-)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Preeti.
http://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com
You made me giggle Preeti - if you want to be on this particular friends list you'll have to move to England, they're all proud to be basket cases there x :D
DeleteWow you have been busy! I made 2 but 13, is good going! I too altered the lining slightly and I found that minor adjustment made all the difference. They are so gorgeous aren't they and I love all your variations :-)
ReplyDeleteThey're so easy aren't they and people love them. Had a fab trip and then last week we were in Austin and tomorrow we fly off to Mexico. I hoping for a few weeks at home after this to catch my breath - hope all's well for you and yours x
DeleteI love your Pixie Baskets! I've made one for myself. I'm using it for a thread catcher...not too big, but it's stylin'! Seeing your stack of the...I wanna make more now!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!They make pretty and useful gifts. I haven't made any yet, but I think they're fabulous. I love Heidi's Pixie Cups too.
ReplyDeleteLiving in Newcastle I completely get the heading :) you certainly whipped up a veritable storm of pixie baskets Chris, they look great together
ReplyDeleteEeee, I love a good old English saying Fiona to flummox locals ;D
DeleteHaHa! Like Fiona I live near Newcastle upon Tyne in northeast England, in fact I was born and brought up in a small mining village a little north of Newcastle, in Northumberland. Most of the men worked down the pit as did both my Grandfathers, my Uncles, and my Dad until he left after an accident (he is 84 now). I can remember when I was a small child seeing men going home after shift with coal blackened faces and white eyes, just like you see on TV in old movies. Thank you for the tutorial Chrissie, and for stirring up a long forgotten memory.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Kate
I'm from St Helens, Lancashire (now Merseyside), another mining town and my family "work't down't pit" too. I've several paintings of miners hanging in my living room and also a bronze statue all by the English artist Alexander Millar that I brought over to America with me when I moved here 5 years ago, they remind me of where I'm from. "Eee, I'm glad for't t'ave stirred some'at up in thee" our Kate ;D
DeleteThese are lovely little baskets...I've got them on my bucket list but not sure when I'll get to them. Thanks for the tutorial on better linings.
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful gifts - just perfect and easy to pack. I'm sure your friends will be delighted - I know I would be!
ReplyDeleteI have been meaning to make a pixie basket for a while and haven't got around to it! I might just make time this weekend after seeing all these cute baskets! :)
ReplyDeleteThese baskets make me happy! I should try them out for my friends. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThey look so professional! I bet your friends loved them! x
ReplyDeleteThanks Clare, they really did and I had the best time seeing everyone - Chris :D
DeleteThey're really cute and perfect for using up fabric stash too
ReplyDeleteGreat gifts!
ReplyDeleteAm going to give these a go as so cute
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I might have to make some for my daughter's to store their little bits and nic-nacks
ReplyDeleteI love those baskets, they are the perfect handmade gift! Thank you for sharing them at The Really Crafty link Party this week. Pinned!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info on turning made easier. I will try that on my next project. (came over from Show off Saturday SewCanShe.)
ReplyDelete