Completed little projects and what's up next

So I made two new little projects.  I used some scraps and tried a fabric basket and a checkbook holder.

The fabric basket pattern is from Sometimes Crafter, and she has a whole bunch of cute basket pictures and a full set of pretty easy to follow directions.

Mine turned out... okay.  It's cute, it stands up, and it hold things, so it fits my purpose.

But it's also a bit floppy and it's lopsided.

As it turns out, sewing in a lining is kind of difficult.  The outer basket is slightly larger than the inner lining, but you have to reverse them to sew them together.  The Sometimes Crafter has some really good advice on how to get them to match up, but it's still not easy.  At least not the first time.  I'm sure it'll get easier with practice.

The other hard part was how small it was.  I accidentally cut my first square too small, so I cut the rest small, and sewing a small circle is harder than I thought it would be.  Next time, I'll make it the right size.  I'll also either use sturdier fabric, or I'll use interfacing on both sides.  I only used interfacing on the outer box this time, and I think that's why it's as floppy as it is.

But it's still pretty darn cute.  

Then I tried a check book cover using the same fabric bits.  The directions are from Crazy Mom Quilts.  The directions are super easy to follow.  And some cute fabrics could make some really cute covers.

Unfortunately, I'm still not so good at straight seams.  Or finishing.  Mine ended up a bit crooked.

But with more practice, I'm sure I'll make some cute ones!