The Hour Basket with Pellon Fusible Flex-Foam

*the giveaway is now closed*

One hour basket

Pellon has a really exciting brand new product available:  Flex – Foam.  I think you are going to like it!

Pellon® Flex-Foam™ is a lightweight stabilizer consisting of a layer of foam sandwiched between two layers of soft fabric. It is excellent for use in crafts, accessories, and home décor projects for an elegant finished look. It can be used in place of or in addition to other stabilizers. Flex-Foam is a breeze to sew through and adds shape and body to projects such as computer cases, eyeglass cases, purses, tote bags, cup holders, diaper bags, and more! It is compatible with a wide variety of fabrics. It is available as a sew-in, a 1-sided fusible or a 2-sided fusible. Available 20” on the board and 60” on the roll in all of your favorite stores.

I was lucky enough to get some advance product to test it out and I decided to make my good friend, Kelly’s, Hour Basket.  This is a free pattern that Kelly has offered and I know tons of you have already downloaded it and made it.  But I’m COMPLETELY sold on making this with Fusible Flex Foam.  Love it.  Seriously.

One hour basket

I used a precious piece of fabric I own for my basket…a fat quarter size piece of fabric cut from an old Orla Kiely table cloth sold at Target YEARS ago.  So, sorry!  Good luck finding any!  I used Kelly’s pattern and cut my pieces of foam and fabric to size.  And easy peasy, I fused the fabric to the Foam.  I used the one sided Fusible Flex-Foam because I added a lining that was separate from the base of the basket.  To sew the pieces together, I broke out my Clover Wonder clips. (If you don’t own these you should!!)  And this was the first time that I wanted the jumbo version actually.  But the regular ones worked really well to hold these layers together.

One hour basket

I used a foot that could accommodate some bulk…any kind of dual feed foot system or walking foot should do fine.  It was super easy to sew over this.  I was really surprised by that.  I expected it to be more difficult.

One hour basket

Following the steps of Kelly’s pattern, I again used my clips to start sewing box into three dimensions.  Again, this was so much easier than I anticipated.  The foam moved so easily into this shape.  I did finger press my seams open as you can see to help eliminate any bulk and match my seams easier.

You can see below how well this basket is standing on its own without even being sewn or encouraged into a square shape.

One hour basket

I added the lining as per the instructions and again broke out the wonder clips (seriously…buy these) to hold the edges of the two together.  I was pretty easily able to put this under my machine foot and sew all the way around the edge.   The next step which you don’t see is always the trickiest when making any lined bag…pulling the whole bag through a small opening in the bottom of the lining.  There was some tugging that went on, but again…not painful. (I may have a hidden fear of bags lol…I’m realizing that as I write this).  It all turned perfectly and…..<

One hour basket

I am SO HAPPY with my new basket!!  This is a really good size basket.  I know people who made these for Easter Baskets last year for their kids and I understand why now.  I personally took a note from Kelly and chose to fill mine with bundles of precuts.  I’ve got a huge F8th bundle and two Fat Quarter Bundles in there.<

One hour basket

I couldn’t be happier with it!!  I did a little hand pressing on the sides to encourage the foam into shape, but it did not need much.  It has a beautiful shape empty (I just like it filled with fabric!)

Overall, I was very impressed with the fusible flex-foam and would use it again in a heart beat.  I was particularly impressed with how well the fabric fused to the foam.  There is no rippling in the fabric on the foam…I hate when that happens with interfacing.  I’m sure that is user error, but I had no user error here. I just have a beautiful finished product.


*the giveaway is now closed*

Congrats to the winner! #189 AnnetteSeptember 12, 2015 at 7:31 PM

I’m not sure if I could be gluten-free. I love pasta too much!

And now for the giveaway!!

 Pellon is offering one lucky winner a package of 1 yard cuts of each of the three varieties of Flex-Foam. 

To enter, just leave a comment below.  I’ve recently gone Gluten free for health reasons and may do a Paleo diet in the future.  So if you have any tips on healthy eating I’d love to hear those….or tell me why you could never do it! lol    Good luck!!

214 thoughts on “The Hour Basket with Pellon Fusible Flex-Foam”

  1. I've had the 1 hour basket pattern printed out forever to make one but haven't been able to find the right type of interfacing to use so it stands up like yours does. I'd LOVE to win some of this product so I can make myself some of these baskets.
    Peggy in NJ

    As for the Paleo….a friend of mine had wonderful results using the program. She had a lot of help from their online food ordering program.

  2. the bag looks great I have to clips, love them
    the paleo diet… My daughter has UC and went on this diet. it was hard at first, she had to give up lots of food that she loves especially pasta and breads. but she stuck with it for 30 days and lost 12 lbs.
    now she's gluten free and it's really helping her UC
    joan in GA

  3. I had to eliminate gluten from my diet about three years ago. It hasn't been easy, but a large part of that has more to do with dealing with multiple food allergies. Gluten free products are relatively easy to find, although they tend to be very expensive and often lack flavour or have texture issues. Nicole Hunn's Gluten Free on a Shoestring blog (http://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/) has been a lifesaver. She also has 3 cookbooks. Everything I've made from her recipes has been delicious. And, I don't mean "good, considering it's gluten free". Good luck.

  4. I really must try this new product! I am getting excited looking at the fun stuff. In the past I have gone to Bosal for a product like this, it will be fun to try something new.

    I have trouble eating healthy because a) fat and sugar taste so damned good and b) the area where I work is a comfort-food leaning foodie sort of area… hard to find anything that is actually good for you.

    rtgandy at gmail

  5. I've been gf for ten years due to celiac. The best bread I've eaten are Udi's and Rudi's. Some Costcos even carry the large loaves of Udi's. Against the grain makes a good pizza crust. K toos are close to Oreos if you need a cookie fix. And I am so happy that Chex and Cheerios are gf.

  6. Great info on the basket and fusible foam. I can't wait to try it. As for the diet, cut out any processed stuff first, and make your own baked goods. It's a quick step to get back to more natural foods, and you'll feel better. I can't talk about Paleo, as I haven't tried it, but there seems to be lots of recipes. Have fun finding your need eating plan!

  7. Anxious to try Flex-Foam and best wishes with a GF and Paleo diet. My sister has had to eat this diet for 25 yrs due to allergies. She is thrilled to find all the options she has today that weren't available in the past.

  8. Lots of beans (pinto, black, garbanzo, . . and pasta under the brand name Banza made from garbanzo beans) and greens–good for anyone wanting to eat healthy. And not as boring as it sounds 🙂 Watch out for some of the gf foods–a lot of them are full of artificial sweeteners and lousy fats. Thanks for a tutorial of how to stitch up this foam–looks a little intimidating, but your words are very calming 🙂

  9. One of the most difficult parts of a gf diet is eating out. Try to research the restaurant online for gf offerings before going, or ask if the restaurant has a gf menu upon arrival. I also ask the server if they or the kitchen is aware of what's gf if no other info is available.

  10. Love Pellon products! I can't wait to try the fusible Flex-foam in a basket. I've also been trying to eat healthy but the hardest thing for me is deciding what to make and having enough variety in my meals so I don't get bored eating the same thing all the time. I've been trying out the Paleo plan and Clean Eating plans on emeals.com – so easy.

  11. This looks fantastic. My healthy eating tip; cauliflower, cooked and mashed, makes a good substitute for rice. Mixed with ricotta cheese it's a little like mashed potatoe.

  12. I have been waiting to try this Pellon product. It seems perfect for so many products. Good luck with the gluten free diet. I've been thinking about trying it myself. I have fibromyalgia and have heard it could help some. Thanks for the give-a-way.

  13. Angela , you are right on time w/the Flex Fuse Pellon as I just bought some today after a customer at local craft store was raving about it's versatility. I'll be using it in a tote bag for me, using one of Noodlehead's patterns (Gingham Tote from her Handmade Style book). I love your tips for pressing, ease of sewing with and your basket is perfect:) Thank you so much for sharing.

    Go Paleo! I do and it's eliminated and eased much of my pain and discomfort w/osteoporosis and arthritis; rid of a lot of my inflammation. Check out their website and subscribe to the newsletter. You get free recipes and menu planning, etc with easy prep and cook dishes as well as tasty and simple snacks.

    schimmel.db@gmail.com

  14. Looks fabulous!!! I do have Hancock Fabrics near me so will watch for it there!!! Just over two years ago we watched the movie Forks Over Knives and began our food journey into Plant-based Whole Foods. I couldn't have survived without help from Dr John McDougall's Program (The Starch Solution, his newsletter and website full of Success Stories) and Lindsey Nixon – The Happy Herbivore cookbooks. I've lost weight, feel tons healthier, sleep better, more energy, no more arthritis/swollen joints. Almost daily I use the Forks Over Knives app on my phone for great recipes and nutritional guidance. Best advice I've heard on taking a food journey is "progress not perfection". May you be blessed as you seek good health!!!

  15. This looks like a GREAT new product. Can't wait to give it a try. I have been on a diet since January and have lost 35 pounds so far. My plan was to eliminate all "white carbs" and by doing so I ended up with a gluten free diet. I have really enjoyed it and I am feeling very good!

  16. I can't wait to try this foam- it looks like just what I need! I'm not gluten free or paleo, but my best healthy eating tip is to not snack between meals (my big downfall). If you get hungry, drink a glass of water and find something else to do. Many thanks!

  17. You should only be gluten-free if you have celiac disease.
    When the gluten is removed it is replaced with not-nice stuff.
    I think the best diet is moderation and a variety of foods.
    I love what the Pellon does for that basket. I would love to get my hands on some.
    What is the price range?

  18. I offer this advice eat a rainbow. If it comes in a box or a bag and has words on it you can't pronounce don't eat it. I have Celiac and it's a pain but I have learned to eat fruits and veggies and fresh stuff, rice and beans and finally feel wonderful. You can do it. Watch those weird waters, juices and soda is a killer.

  19. I have been wanting to make this basket and Pellon's new product may move it to the top of my to make list. Thanks for adding the comments on how you adjusted the original pattern.
    Renragjdatgmaildotcom

  20. We also had to go GF (and dairy free) because of allergies and other health reasons. We now eat LOTS of fruits and vegetables. Have you looked at the 80-10-10 diet? We are doing something like that, but with some meat at the end of our day. Good luck, it can be overwhelming to start, but it does get easier.

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