Hi Kel here, with a lovely idea for a sick day, a snow day or a rainy day. I was off last week and weary to my bones, so I made myself a nest of quilts, lined up a couple of recorded shows and a movie and got to work on my basket. I've been meaning to try this for weeks, but you know what it's like, it's hard to find a big block of time to work on one thing.
It's an idea I saw on one of my favourite blogs; Live from Tormville is funny, blogs daily and has lots of great ideas too. Her family pull names from a hat and do a handmade present for the recipient. She made a newspaper basket for her sister-in-law. The link to her blog goes straight to the basket post and the tutorial she used is on craftystylish.
I used the same tutorial and my basket took something very like the 96 strips used in the tutorial. It took about half of a Sunday Times. And it took me about 5 hours! I was quite surprised at that. I needed more hands than I had to keep everything nice and tight, so I caved and went to find pegs pretty early on once I started weaving up the sides.
I didn't fancy the ribbon edging, although I do think it looks nice, so I went for some spotted navy masking tape. Inside and out, it also works to disguise some glued down edges. It's quite big, maybe even big enough to fit two stacks of magazines side by side. You can adapt yours to any size, pretty easily.
I can't wait to make another one. I might use this tutorial to make a firmer, smaller one.
I haven't quite decided what to use it for. Any ideas?
Thanks for stopping by.
Kel x
That looks brilliant how sturdy is it? x
Posted by: Debbie Roberts | February 24, 2011 at 07:39 AM
So far it seems pretty sturdy. The strips are 8 layers thick, and paper can be quite strong when rolled or folded. I believe the key is to keep the weaving quite tight, which I got a little obsessed about. Smaller baskets would be sturdier and the last tutorial link uses thicker strips too. -K
Posted by: Kel | February 24, 2011 at 08:17 AM
Wow, I must have a look at those tutorials. If you wanted it sturdier then a few coats of varnish might help maybe? I'd want to put books, paper, magazines...anything paper related in it I think.
Posted by: Carolyn Phillips | February 24, 2011 at 09:24 AM
I love this! Re-cycling at its cute, practical, best.
(I'd probably store yarn stash in it) tfs
Posted by: Mandy | February 24, 2011 at 07:00 PM
Very fun project; might have to try that myself.
Posted by: S | February 25, 2011 at 09:27 AM