Craft Book Challenge - January

I have what some may call a bordering-on-the-ridiculous number of craft books. What can I say? I love craft books! I love to peruse the pages of a new craft book, soaking up all the gorgeous photographs, being inspired by the possibility of so many new projects, enjoying the artistry and style of each author. I'm a craft book junkie. So when I saw the Craft Book Challenge on Liesl Made I knew it was the perfect challenge for me to undertake this year.

To kick off the challenge, I used my current favorite fabric, Bliss by Bonnie & Camille for Moda, to make Tone Finnanger's fabric basket in Sew Pretty Homestyle. I've been wanting to make some fabric baskets for the craft room so this seemed like the perfect first project for the challenge. In theory, it is both beautiful and practical. In reality, a fabric basket made this way is going to have some give, so I have to be realistic about what I'm going to use it to store. It's not exactly as practical as a plastic bin but it's a lot more attractive, despite my imperfect sewing, so I will make up a few more and use them for storing things that I like to look at, like my embroidery supplies, yarn, and favorite scraps of fabric.

I changed the dimensions slightly, from Tone's original instructions, only because I wanted to use this spotty red fabric and I didn't have quite enough. Overall the project was easy to complete, but I did find it a little bit fussier than it seems when you read through the instructions. I got some puckering in the fabric and batting, and I was slightly frustrated that I couldn't get the bottom exactly right. However, I suspect that if I try it again I will have a little more success, since I now know firsthand what are going to be my trouble spots. For now, I'm going to call it good and go make the kids a snack.

Happy Crafting!

Kate