a tisket, a tasket ...

a Yoko Saito basket!

You guys made me so happy with all your lovely comments about this project.  I'm thrilled you even bother to take an interest in what I do here, let alone anticipate a reveal.  And thank you for tolerating my incessant teasing, by the way.  I hope I always make the wait worth your while. :)

So I bought this book - "120 Embroidery Motifs" by Yoko Saito - maybe 3 or 4 years ago. 

I've poured over the pages countless times.  "Little Rainbows" is a project I've been wanting to make soooo badly but just never got around to ... until now.

I'm really happy with how it turned out.  The lining is a little "poochie" (how I describe fabric that's a little too loose so it doesn't fit smoothly), but I don't mind too much. 

Yoko used ricrac around the rim, but I just went with what I had in my cupboard ... this little bit of cotton lace. 

I hand quilted it too, like the original.  I just stitched random wavy lines.  I think maybe it's supposed to suggest the rain that is making the rainbows.  It didn't take too long - this basket is only 4" tall (not including the handle) and the base is 4" in diameter. 

And that handle?  Well ... let's just say it wasn't my favourite part - I made it twice - the scalloped piece really needs to be cut on the bias (I knew better but stubbornly tried to get away with a pretty striped print the first time around) - reattached it twice and had to undo/re-do several knots.  But it was all worth it in the end 'cause I think it turned out great.

I don't know what I'll use it for yet - maybe to keep some of my sewing accoutrement next to my machine or on my desk to hold pencils ... for sure somewhere I will see it often. :)

Comments

[Kristy]

Truly beautiful....worth the wait. I do miss the days when you posted daily...I have to admit. Are you on instagram?

[Beverly]

So dainty and beautiful!! You do great work. Very time intensive I imagine.

[Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts]

Oh I love it! Just gorgeous! It would make the cutest little Easter basket. :-)

[Four dogs and one quilter]

So pretty and dainty. How wonderful it will look in your sewing room.

[Margie/ Linen artisan]

Stunning ! such incredible work.. too small to handle and to be embroidered ..

[Saartje]

Very pretty! It would make a lovely Easter basket, filled with pastel egg, or even small sugar ones. but then you only get to take it out a few weeks a year, and that won't do, of course...

[Kate]

Gorgeous piece

[Ulla's Quilt World]

So lovely! :)
Greetings from Finland!
Hugs, Ulla

[ina]

It's beautiful!! ;p

[Archiethewonderdog]

It's gorgeous!

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

Oh, my, my...your stitches! Truly amazing! So delicate and beautiful, and the perfect representation of spring to me. (I think I still remember what spring looks like?) ;)

[Meredithe]

Absolutely gorgeous!!

[Silvana]

Wow! Sooooo pretty!

[usairdoll]

Ahhhhh!! This basket is just so precious! When you showed this a few days ago while you were still working on it, I had to go google Yoko Saito as I had not heard of her before. I have been going Yoko crazy ever since, hehe. Thank you for sharing all your beautiful stitching, you are so talented and inspiring!

[Heather (mtl)]

Oh, but this is the sweetest basket! No wonder everyone is swooning - your workmanship is impeccable!

[wendy]

it's beautiful! I've gone looking for the book on Amazon...

[Jacqueline Strand]

Beautiful - I love the embroidery and the handle - a true piece of useful art.

[wendy]

LOVE IT!!!!! Your stitching is so sweet and beautiful, it just inspires me!

[Jeannie D]

Just beautiful...worth the wait...Well Done!

[Cecilia]

Wow, gorgeous!

[jessica]

I think this pretty little basket would make a wonderful easter basket for a little (or big) girl.

[AnneMarie]

Soooooo Pretty!!!! Is there a pattern available for this? I would love to have one.

[Luba]

The most amazingly gorgeous, delicate and prettiest thing I have ever had the pleasure and privilege to ever see. I would put it in a glass case and just stare at it's beauty. Oh My! To have such a talent ! Thank You for sharing with us mere mortals.

[Emma]

I LOVE THIS BASKET!!!! It is just simply too perfect! Okay so I know that this is a "late" comment and all but I must know, what did you end up using it for??! Love it, love it, love it!