Basket Block

I actually completed an entire applique block and stuck with the colours I chose - this one is a basket from a pattern by Kim Diehl in her book "Simple Blessings". I really like how Kim drew these baskets and "bloomers", using the stems as representation for the basket handles.

Here are pictures of the front and the reverse of the block while in the basting and sewing stage

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And the finished block:

I think the background might be too busy, but I do like it. I'm using mostly the Magic Vine fabrics from Eleanor Burns. I got a selection of half yards on a great sale price back in January - I like the bright colours of 30s and 40s fabrics, but I don't much like the novelty prints in these lines. The Magic Vine line has the colours, but more subtle prints. I used the fabrics in the Sally Post applique quilt, but I'm fairly sure that quilt will be donated to my church, so I've decided to use the remainder in a quilt for our family - or maybe as a gift to my niece who will soon be in her own first apartment.

I finally got up the gumption to baste the At Home and Away quilt, so now its time to start tying it. Now that I've finally got the applique pattern/fabrics/technique figured out, it looks like I might have to put it aside for a while.