Tips for making Noodlehead’s Divided Basket pattern


Recently a friend announced an upcoming surgery, and that she would be out of commission for eight long weeks! (She is doing okay, the procedure was last week)

I wanted to do a little something for her – she is an awesome gal!

Art Gallery Fabrics Utopia Frances NewcombeEnter these stunning prints from Utopia by Frances Newcombe for Art Gallery Fabrics. I got mine during a flash sale from FatQuarterShop.com – the site has daily sales starting at 11 a.m. ET and also features Precuts of the Week.

I decided to make Noodlehead’s Divided Basket in the fabrics and fill it with post-surgery friendly items. Not sure exactly how this happened, but this one turned out to be my best basket yet out of the three I’ve tried.

Noodlehead Divided Basket Utopia Fabric frances newcombe wideshot

A couple things I did this time around that made the pattern go together quicker and easier:

  • Pellon 950F Shirtailor interfacing on all pieces (including pocket) and Pellon fusible fleece on the two exterior pieces cut slightly smaller to avoid bulky seams
  • For the four lining pieces (bright orange print) – I managed to get all of them cut from one fat quarter by folding the entire piece twice to form quadrants, tracing out the pattern piece – then pinning all four layers together in several spots and cutting them all out at once
  • Also folded the interfacing into quadrants and cutting all four simultaneously in the same manner for the lining pieces, and by cutting the exterior interfacing two at a time. (This REALLY cut down the time)
  • Glue basted the binding tape for the pocket and only had to top stitch once instead of twice
  • Glue basted the handles, pocket to exterior piece, exterior pieces to avoid having to use pins/Wonder Clips

Noodlehead Divided Basket Utopia Frances Newcombe close up

Noodlehead Divided Basket Utopia Fabric interiorNot quite sure what to give someone who just had surgery, so I took an informal poll on Instagram and got some wonderful ideas: Arnicare gel for pain relief, hot beverages, cups. I was able to find some appropriate items at Target – including this adorable mug that says ‘YOU ARE MAGICAL’ and has a unicorn on the inside.

Target You Are Magical Mug UnicornThe mug is wrapped up in *lots* of tissue paper to protect it during its journey across several states in the mail. There is a pair of blue plush socks in the mug, Burt’s Bees moisturizing lip balm, Swiss Miss hot cocoa, and a few white chocolate macadamia nut Clif bars. By now, my friend has received her care package in the mail so I wanted to share it with you too!

Get Well Gift Basket Idea FinishedSee you next time!

– Jennifer



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