Ombre - for Project QUILTING 16.2
Project QUILTING challenges provide adventures that push us to think outside the box, allow us to use up stash items, and feel accomplished for creating and completing within a time frame. This challenge brought a second appreciative reason. The project allowed for using one of my favorite quilting techniques, coiled rope baskets. The definition of quilting is two layers of fabric stitched with a filing between. Rope baskets have fabric on both sides with clothesline between then zigzag stitched together.
A huge thank you to Kim Lapacek of Persimon Dreams and Trisha Frankland of Quilt Chicken for sponsoring Project QUILTING each season.
THE MATERIALS
The supplies for coiled rope baskets:
• Cotton clothesline rope - I like either 7/32” or 1/4”. It needs to fit under the presser foot after being wrapped with fabric and the machine needs to have the power to stitch through it.
• Matching top and bobbin thread - My favorites are variegated as they blend into the fabrics well. OmniV and Rainbow thread, both 40 wt, from Superior, are used on this basket.
• Fabric cut in 3/4” strips - Batiks and high-quality hand-dyed work especially well as they fray very little. I chose from my stash of Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics for this project. Check out the assortments available from Blue Bar Quilts in Middleton, WI (online too).
THE STITCHING
• Rope is wrapped with 3/4” strips of fabric before tightly coiling a two inch flat disk. After straight stitching to secure the disk, zigzag stitching holds the rope together.
• Sides are shaped as they are stitched into the desired height.
• Zigzags add stability to the coiled rope basket.
THE FRONT ORNAMENT
Adding a little piazza to the coiled rope basket -
• I’m using the small and medium size Whimsical Flowers Template to create an ornament.
• Gold yarn from my stash for the bottom layer and Superior Metallic Thread mixed with eyelash yarn for the smaller, top layer.
• Topped it all with a metallic bead before stitching it to the front of the bowl.
THE FINISHED PROJECT
The ombre coiled rope bowl finished with a 7.25-inch base, 9-inch top , 4.75-inch height and 5.5 inches to the top of the loop. If you have the perfect spot for it, find it in my Etsy Shop’s Coiled Rope Basket section.
Additional views of the completed project. I’m linked up to the challenge here.
Published by Sally Manke, Fiber Artist
Sally Manke's mission is to delight others with textile art that exemplifies her passion for joyful, creative expression through color and texture. She is a speaker, teacher, pattern designer, and fiber artist. Contact her to book a workshop or trunk show at this link. Visit her Etsy Shop at www.sallymanke.etsy
Sally is a brand Ambassador for BERNINA USA. All stitching on this project was completed on a BERNINA 790 PLUS.