September 23, 2010

Indigo Blue

Do you get side tracked when you are doing something and the next moment something else totally takes over?  It happens to me all the time. I needed a scallop basket for a gift. It was going to be a plain basket using natural canes. Out of the blue I thought um, what if I dye the cane indigo blue? So there, off I went dyeing the cane with Ritt liquid dye in indigo blue. I was happily dyeing along then suddenly I thought why not dyeing some indigo moons? The end of that day I had indigo moons and indigo cane for the scallop basket. The thing is, this is not the basket I had in mind for a gift! Now I have to make another one for that gift...! 
A few weeks ago one of my students came back from Japan and he brought me back a bag of little pieces of silk offcuts. They were mostly in white and cream, but they are perfect to use in indigo moons. Above is the result of those little silk pieces indigo moons.
This is an Indigo basket. It is going to be my first piece of furniture for my future studio. With a trip to Japan earlier this year and my love of Japanese textiles plus my love of indigo blue influenced  by Jude Hill I decided that my new studio will be in indigo blue and white. I am planning a BORO quilt using vintage kimono fabric. You can see some of them in the basket ready for me to start. 
Back to the indigo basket. This style of basket is called scallop basket. I made 12 or so of them a few years ago. I gave them to my quilter friends and I called them quilter's baskets. It is a reproduction of an antique basket that was brought to Australia by the European migrants. A lady at Basketmakers of Victoria took an old and broken basket apart and rewrote the instructions for us to reproduce. Don't ask me why, but it is easy for me to make them. Above is the base of it. 
The spokes are woven for the rim and folded down to form the base.  I weave them together to form the stand.  I must tell you about the tool kit roll you see above. It was a gift from DIL who is a trained sculptor, making craft on the side while she is home looking after the family. 
The access spokes are trimmed and the body of the basket is now ready for the handle. When the cane is dry this basket is very sturdy and strong. It's great for car travel because it doesn't fall over on the bumpy rides. 
One of my friend's husband is an engineer and when he saw this basket he asked if I actually made it? When I told him I did, he turned it upside down looking in and out and said "It can't be, this basket is a totally impossible engineering structure!" Haha! I hope that was a compliment! 

Here is the complete basket with handle and all. What I need now is that studio to go with it LOL! I have more of these baskets to show you in my next post.



27 comments:

Terry said...

Great Basket I bet it's a good style for traveling.
Like the moons and the idea of a studio. I keep trying but everyone always has other uses for 'some" of the space. Dreaming just like you.

kaiteM said...

Beaut basket Nat, love the blue spokes. k.

Paula said...

Beautiful basket Nat, please show us some more, I just love baskets, I use to make them when I was yonger and before I started quilting and dyeing. They are fun to make.

Paula

Melinda said...

Wonderful basket - the design and the color are both outstanding.

Lori said...

The basket is absolutely gorgeous!! I love indigo blue and I bet your sewing room will be fantastic.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hey Nat...what a beautiful basket to suit Seabird!!! You are one talented lady!!! I bet your studio will be beautiful...can't wait to see it. How long to go? Dzintra♥x

Quiltbenaco said...

Molto bello il cesto ma...sei sicura che è facile da fare?????
Il blu è da sempre il mio colore preferito, in tutte le sue sfumature
Ciao Domenica

Gina said...

What a fabulous basket. My grandfather used to make them as a hobby so I know how much work goes into them.

Love and hugs Gina xxx

ria vogelzang said...

What a cute basket!! You did a great job! I admire you so much that you are such a talented person!!!!
And those lovely silk indigo moons!! Gorgeous!!!!
Hope your studio will be possible!
Big hug, Ria. ;x;x))

Teresa Rawson said...

That is absolutely STUNNING!! You make it look very easy, but I'm sure it is NOT!! I can't wait to see your blue and white studio, as blue is my favorite color...blue anything...blue/white quilts, blue walls, blue clothes, blue skies...just makes me happy thinking about it!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Betty said...

I just love the basket. You have so many talents Lady. I know what you mean about being side tracked at times. It happens to me quite alot.

Willow

Anonymous said...

There is always something amazing to see on your blog Nat. You are one very talented lady. That basket is incredibly beautiful and your dyed fabrics are scrumptious! :o)

I just love the idea of an indigo and white studio. Sounds just perfect to me.

Queen of the Tea Cosies said...

Gawd! Is there anything you can't or won't put your hand to?
The basket is very clever and beautifully made. Of course an engineer would love it.
Can't wait to see the studio manifest.

deanna7trees said...

gorgeous basket and the most luscious fabrics. your quilting friends are very lucky indeed.

QuiltSue said...

The fabric is beautiful, but the basket is to die (or should that be "dye") for.

Janet said...

I just love that basket Nat, it's gorgeous, I wish I could come and have some lessons, you make the most wonderful things! The fabrics dyed up beautifully. Keep making things for the new studio and it will happen.

Lis Harwood said...

What a great post Nat. I adore your basket, it is an absolute wonder and looks beautifully balanced - I would need to try it out for a few years to be sure, hint hint!! Great dyeing detour, isn't it fun when things go like that, even if we don't do what we intended. Looking forward to seeing your blue and white studio.

Dot said...

What a beautiful post Nat! I love,love your indigo moon's. There is nothing your can't turn your hand to creative lady. Your basket is beautiful and very well constructed too!
And those vintage fabrics are delicious. I like the sound of your new studio. Great color combination. Dot xx

Karen said...

A beautiful basket and I love your indigo moons!

Micki said...

The basket is just so pretty..perfect colors and it will come in so handy!
Micki

Sue-Anne said...

That basket is GORGEOUS!!!! My cane baskets look pretty plain in comparison. You're so clever. I think a blue and white studio would be beautiful to work in.

Suzanna said...

Nat, what a beautiful basket!

Bev C said...

Hello Nat,

Your basket is so beautiful. That man really gave you a great compliment. I remember my two older sisters doing basket making at school. That was sometime ago now!!!
Happy Monday.
Bev.xoxo
p.s. love the indigo dyed material.

Kim D. said...

Love your basket Nat, it's gorgeous! Your hand dyed fabrics are wonderful and what lovely pieces your student brought you. I can't wait to see the quilt you make. Have a lovely week!

india flint said...

there's something magical about indigo...

Ivory Spring said...

Natima,

I am absolutely in love with that blue/white basket. It's a good thing we live on different continents, or I would be tempted to come over the stealthily snatch that basket away. :)

Jo Wholohan said...

I just adore these baskets Nat!!! Loving reading throught your blog xx

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