MAY
Bicycle Ride
PIECED BY Julianna Gasiorowska
FINISHED SIZE of paper-pieced block: 12˝ × 12˝
By May, spring has well and truly sprung. The countryside is a riot of color once again. What could be better than a lazy bicycle ride collecting flowers in bloom to adorn the kitchen table? The text fabrics used in this block were designed by Kumiko Fujita.
Materials and Supplies
CD content is available to download from http://tinyurl.com/11026-patterns.
•Green: 1 fat quarter for background
•Assorted red print scraps totaling ¼ yard for bicycle, light, and basket
•Fussy-cut flower scrap or appliqué flowers
INSTRUCTIONS
Assemble the Block
TIP
Use the illustration below to help with fabric and color placement for the small pieces in the bicycle design.
1. Assemble all sections.
2. Join A to B. Join C to D to E. Join G to H. Join J to K. Join L to M. Join N to P.
3. Join AB to CDE to F to GH. Join JK to LM. Join JKLM to ABCDEFGH to NP.
DESIGN NOTE Section K includes the bicycle basket and flowers. To appliqué the flowers, piece section K1 using background fabric; then add the appliqué. To piece the flowers, add background fabric to a fussy-cut flower scrap until it is large enough to cover section K1.
Bicycle Basket
MADE BY Julianna Gasiorowska • FINISHED SIZE of basket: approximately 14˝ × 15˝ × 5˝
Add a vintage touch to your bicycle with this modern basket, perfect for both young cyclists and those slightly older ones who like a touch of whimsy. The basket is designed to be detachable and carried using a handle, which wraps safely around the sides and bottom when the basket is placed on the bike.
Materials and Supplies
CD content is available to download from http://tinyurl.com/11026-patterns.
•Blue prints: total 1 yard for bicycle block background and basket
•Lining fabrics: total 1 yard (I used bright pinks and blues for contrast.)
•Assorted scraps: reds and pinks for bicycle
•Fussy-cut flower scrap or appliqué flowers
•Fusible interfacing: 2 yards
•Batting (optional)
•2 buckles
•String or ribbon: 1½ yards for drawstring
DESIGN NOTE To make sure the basket fits your bicycle, measure the distance between the handlebar and front wheel. Adjust the size of the basket by changing the size of the sashing strips around the bicycle block or by scaling the bicycle block using a photocopier.
Cutting
BLUE PRINT
•1 piece using template 1 for basket back, adding ¼˝ seam allowance all around as you cut
•1 piece using Handle pattern (pages CD36–CD38) for basket handle, adding ¼˝ seam allowance all around as you cut
•2 strips 2˝ × 12½˝ for sashing
•2 strips 2½˝ × 15½˝ for sashing
•1 strip 5½˝ × 38½˝ for basket bottom and sides
•2 strips 3½˝ × 18½˝ for straps to attach basket to bicycle
NOTE Alter the width of the straps to fit the buckles you are using. The measurements given are for 1½˝-wide straps.
LINING
•2 pieces using template 1 to line basket front and back, adding ¼˝ seam allowance all around as you cut
•1 piece using Handle pattern (pages CD36–CD38) for basket handle, adding ¼˝ seam allowance all around as you cut
•1 strip 5½˝ × 38½˝ to line basket bottom
•1 strip 6½˝ × 41½˝ for drawstring casing
FUSIBLE INTERFACING
•2 pieces using template 1, not including seam allowance, for basket front and back
•2 pieces using Handle pattern (pages CD36–CD38), not including seam allowance, for basket handle.
•2 pieces using template 1, including seam allowance, for lining front and back.
•1 strip 5˝ × 38˝ for basket bottom
•1 strip 5½˝ × 38½˝ for lining bottom
•2 strips 3˝ × 18˝ for straps
INSTRUCTIONS
Assemble the Block
1. Assemble the block following the May block instructions (page 45).
2. Sew the background 2˝ × 12½˝ strips to the top and bottom of the block and the background 2½˝ × 15½˝ strips to the sides.
NOTE Join 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D (pages CD32–CD35) to make template 1.
3. Center template 1 onto the bicycle block, pin or trace around the template, and cut out.
Apply the Interfacing
1. Remove the foundation. Apply the interfacing pieces without seam allowance to the wrong side of the basket front and back. Apply the interfacing with seam allowance to the lining front and back.
2. Center and apply the 5˝ × 38˝ interfacing strip to the basket bottom. Apply the 5½˝ × 38½˝ interfacing strip to the lining bottom.
3. Apply interfacing to the straps and to the handle.
4. Optional: Add batting to the basket front, back, and bottom. I quilted parallel lines on the front and back and left the bottom and sides plain.
Assemble the Handle
1. Place the 2 handle strips right sides together. Stitch along both long edges, leaving the short edges open.
2. Turn the handle right side out, press, and topstitch along the long edges.
TIP
Add texture to the basket by quilting parallel lines along the handle.
Assemble the Straps
1. Fold the short ends of the straps, and then fold again as shown. Topstitch along the edges of the triangles.
2. Press the seam allowance toward the center of the straps. Fold the straps in half and topstitch all around.
Assemble the Basket
1. Position the straps on the basket back as shown. Attach the straps by sewing rectangles about ¼˝ and ⅛˝ from the edge of each strap.
2. Pin the basket bottom to the front, right sides facing. Stitch together around the bottom and side edges. Do not clip the fabric on the curves. Topstitch, if desired.
3. Pin the opposite side of the bottom piece to the exterior back piece, right sides facing. Stitch together around the bottom and side edges. Turn right side out and press. Do not clip the fabric on the curves.
4. Pin and sew the handle onto the right side of the basket exterior as shown, with the contrast lining showing as the handle goes across the basket bottom and up the other side.
Assemble the Lining
1. Pin the lining front to the lining bottom, right sides facing. Sew from side to side around the bottom.
2. Pin the opposite edge of the lining bottom to the lining back, right sides facing. Sew around the bottom and sides, leaving a gap along the bottom for turning.
3. Finish the short edges on the 6½˝ × 41½˝ casing strip using a serger or by sewing a double-turn hem.
4. Fold the casing strip in half lengthwise and press. Fold in half again and press to mark a crease. Open the second fold and stitch along this crease to make the casing for the drawstring.
5. Starting at the bottom of the casing, topstitch along each short edge about ⅛˝ from the edge and stopping 1˝ from the bottom of the strip.
6. Separate the 2 layers at the bottom of the strip. Pin one of the layers around the top of the basket lining, right sides facing, with the ends of the casing meeting. Sew in place.
Finish the Basket
1. Insert the exterior basket into the lining, right sides together. Pin the open edge of the drawstring strip to the top of the exterior basket; stitch all round, making sure the handle is tucked down out of the way.
2. Turn the basket right side out through the gap in the bottom of the lining. Push the lining to the inside of the basket. Slipstitch the opening in the lining closed.
3. Press the lining so it is not visible from the outside and topstitch along the top edge of the basket.
4. Attach the buckles to the straps.
5. Thread the ribbon or string through the drawstring casing.
