Thursday, March 17, 2016

Easter Basket Table Favors Using Jute Twine and Plastic Canvas


"WOW" your guests this Easter holiday by creating unique Easter table favors using plastic canvas and jute twine!

Gather the following materials:
Plastic canvas sheet - 10 inch x 13.5 inch
Plastic canvas circle - 3 inch
Plastic canvas needle - size 16* 
Jute twine - not too thick
Mod podge/glue
Scissors
Embellishments


*I initially saw a YouTube video on this here.  I was fascinated, had never used plastic canvas before and wanted to make a basket using jute twine.  I soon discovered it wasn't as easy as it appeared.   So I made quite a few tweaks in making mine, discussed here and along the way.  First off, I wanted to show more of the purple canvas instead of covering it up so in making the handle, I left the edges plain and didn't whipstitch as stated.  Also, the instructions said for the body of the basket to measure and count 10 openings (width) and, for the center, share a row on each side to stitch the center. Since I wanted to show more of the purple canvas I opted to count 12 openings instead, having three rows of 4 openings to stitch in a herringbone pattern. 

Lets begin.

I thought it easier to cut all the plastic canvas and twine pieces first:
For the handle, starting on the bottom end, count 4 holes across and 48 holes up or down and cut out. I found using at least a foot or more longer lengths of twine given would be better since the measurements didn't quite cover the pieces.  There's plenty of twine so no need to skimp with this step.   So cut 6 feet of twine and dip one end into mod podge, wiping off excess and let dry. 


*Word of caution - the size 16 plastic canvas needle eye was too big and I couldn't get it through the canvas holes without a struggle or breaking the plastic so I opted to dip the ends of my twine in mod podge or glue, let harden, and just push the ends like a needle through the openings. This worked fine until it was time to end the stitches and I needed the needle to finish.



For the basket, count 12 holes across and 64 holes up or down and cut out. Next, cut out 9 feet of twine, dip one end into mod podge, wiping off excess and let dry.

Begin stitching the plastic canvas handle by skipping over the first row four holes on the bottom leaving blank and pushing the twine end through the third hole from the left, (second row) leaving an inch of twine on the back. No knots are used so a small tail is left on the back and the first few stitches will cover the tail to secure the twine so it won't come undone.




Bring the twine end back through the hole one row up (third row) and to the right, creating a diagonal stitch. See picture.
Then bring the end twine through the second left hole and up through the fourth row hole on the right.
Next, bring twine end through the canvas first hole on the left (second row) and through the fourth hole in the fifth row, creating another diagonal stitch.

Continue making side by side diagonal stitches, coming through the first hole on the left, over to the last hole on the right.


As you are stitching diagonally toward the opposite end, the twine tail on the back is being secured and covered.


Continue the diagonal stitching until reaching the next to the last row and repeat the shorter diagonal stitched rows just like the beginning starting rows.





To secure the twine, thread the end through the eye of the needle  and push the needle through several stitches on the back, pulling tight and cutting off the excess twine.

For the basket, divide the canvas into three sections of four holes, visually, and begin stitching the canvas the same way as the handle.




Start the middle section the opposite of the first, coming from the back of the second hole. The stitches will run diagonally opposite of the first section, for a herringbone effect.

Finish the middle section the same as the first.


Begin the last section the same as the first section, with the stitches going the opposite of the middle section.



Connect the two ends together by overlapping the first blank rows and stitching horizontal across.


Once the end is reached, thread needle and weave it under several stitches, pulling tight and cutting off excess.



To join the plain bottom 3" circle to the sides of the basket, make one stitch in each hole of the  bottom and the basket side using a whip stitch or overcast stitch along the edge all the way around. End by finishing the twine under several stitches and cutting off excess, as before.



Attach the handle to the top edge of the basket by centering the basket seam in the middle and placing the ends of the handle on equally on edge.  Begin whipstitching through the first row of the handle and basket edge, stitching around to the other end of the handle and to the beginning stitches. Finish twine in the same manner as before.




Imagine the possibilities using other materials like thin ribbon or decorative twine and threads like this.


What a cute way to make table favors. 



Take a little time to enjoy
and
Happy Crafting!




13 comments:

  1. How cute Gail! Love it with the jute- totally unique! Excellent tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Clever and so sweet Gail. Any guest would be thrilled to have their very own custom party favor. The table looks beautiful. Love your purple plates.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this. It reminds me of when I was still a little girl trying to learn needlepoint... and that was a loooong time ago! Thanks for the memories Gail and the how to!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You come up with the cutest craft ideas, Gail. Those little baskets would be great carry-homes for Easter guests. I ♥♥♥ your purple plates and flatware!
    Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gail, I love your basket. It is so cute and personlized. Thank you for linking to DI&DI.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow Gail, I love your cute little Easter baskets. They are just perfect to use as favors. I hope you will come and share this with us at our Monday Cooking and Crafting with J & J. Enjoy the week and Happy Easter.
    Julie xo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your basket turned out great Gail! It's adorable! I love that you used jute twine.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What an excellent tutorial. It looks so cute! Always inspiring!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. OH this is such a cute idea!!

    I would LOVE for you join and share this at my DIY and Recipes FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

    ReplyDelete
  10. These baskets are tooooooo cute!!! I can't believe you made them... Well, yes I can because you provided a tutorial! Haha! Thanks for sharing at Submarine Sunday!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Another great tutorial, finding you for the first time at Celebrating Spring linkup.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my word, these baskets are ADORABLE! Such a fun idea for Easter guest favors too.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...