Our Thicket Pop-ups!

This tutorial describes how we figured out how to cut the thicket panels and sew them back together to make the out side panels for our Thicket Pop-ups.

(If you would like to skip all the figuring we did, and just want the cut list for each of the panels, scroll below and find the cutting section for each of the two sizes.)

Thicket is Gingiber’s first fabric collection from Moda fabrics. It is all in black and cream or white. We went with the black and cream option, and have totally loved all of the prints, especially the panels! We had a quilt in mind, and that may still come, but in the meantime, we made some really sweet pop-up baskets, using the pattern and springs from The Fat Quarter Gypsy. With permission from The Fat Quarter Gypsy, we are writing here about how we figured out what size to cut out each of the animals from the pattern in order to get the right sized outside strip for each basket. You will of course still need to purchase a pattern to get all of the cutting and sewing directions to make them!

For the Medium sized pop-up basket, that uses the Small Thicket Animal Panel:

How I figured out what size to cut each animal block:

The side panel (before being sewn into a tube) is supposed to measure 9.5″ high by 26.5″ wide. The width of the panel is very important, and must not be changed. You can, though, change the height a bit as long as it doesn’t get too tall and wobbly… So, while the 9.5″ height works, a 10″ height for the sides will give the animals a bit more clearance on the top and bottom. I would suggest you do this. *This means that the liner panel must now be cut at 10″ x 26.5″ so that both the inside and outside match!

Now we get to the width…… If you are interested in the math that I did, I am listing it here, and if you aren’t, just scroll right past this, where you will find the cut list. If you love these baskets and want to make them with other panels or quilt blocks, I am hoping that reading through my math will help you figure out the math for your own project.

• This pattern has 1/4″ seam allowances
• That means the finished tube (once the 26.5″ wide panel is sewn together) will be 26″ around
• There are four animal panels
• I divided 26″ by 4 and got a width of 6.5″ for each animal panel not including seam allowances
• I added back on the 1/4″ seam allowances
• Each animal panel will need to be cut to 7″ wide

Are you following me? It is important to first take off the seam allowances, find the finished size of the blocks, and then add back on the seam allowances to EACH block.

There is one more thing! The rabbit panel is wider than the rest, and the bear panel is thinner than the rest…. I was able to cut the Fox and Owl panels into very nice 7″ wide by 10″ tall blocks with plenty of room around the bottom and sides for the seam allowances, and extra room at the top for the finishing part up there too. But, the rabbit needs a wider cut than 7″. So, I took an inch off the width of the bear block and added it to the rabbit. This worked out just fine and the basket looked great, and the spacing between the animals looked pretty even too!

The cut list (width x height) for each of the small Thicket animal blocks:

Fox: 7″ x 10″
Owl: 7″ x 10″
Bear: 6″ x 10″
Rabbit: 8″ x 10″
Lining: 26.5″ x 10″
(I used Feather Weight interfacing from Pellon for both the lining and outside of the basket, but might have used Shape Flex too, or Fusible Fleece on the outside for even more structure.)

*** Make sure to start all of your cuts the same distance below the bottom of each of the animals’ feet! In the case of the medium pop-up with the small animal print, I measured 1″ below the feet of each animal as my bottom cutting line. This will provide a straight line visually around the bottom of the basket. ***

Ok, now sew the blocks together and the flat strip should measure 26.5″ like the pattern calls for. Apply the interfacing, grab your pattern and spring, and you are all set to finish your project!

For the Extra Large sized pop-up basket, that uses the Large Thicket Animal panel:

How I figured out what size to cut each animal block

The side panel (before being sewn into a tube) is supposed to measure 17.5″ high by 45.5″ wide. The width of the panel is very important, and must not be changed. You can, though, change the height a bit as long as it doesn’t get too tall and wobbly… In order for a comfortable amount of clearance above and below the animals, I changes the height of the sides to 19″. *This means that the liner panel must now be cut at 19″ x 45.5″ too so that both the inside and outside match!

Now we get to the width…… If you are interested in the math that I did, I am listing it here, and if you aren’t, just scroll right past this, where you will find the cut list. If you love these baskets and want to make them with other panels or quilt blocks, I am hoping that reading through my math will help you figure out the math for your own project.

• This pattern has 1/4″ seam allowances
• That means the finished tube (once the 45.5″ wide panel is sewn together) will be 45″ around
• There are four animal panels
• I divided 45″ by 4 and got a width of 12.25″ for each animal panel not including seam allowances
• I added back on the 1/4″ seam allowances
• Each animal panel will need to be cut to 12.75″ wide

Are you following me? It is important to first take off the seam allowances, find the finished size of the blocks, and then add back on the seam allowances to EACH block.

There is one more thing! The rabbit panel is wider than the rest, and the bear panel is thinner than the rest…. I was able to cut the Fox and Owl panels into very nice 12.75″ wide by 19″ tall blocks with plenty of room around the bottom and sides for the seam allowances, and extra room at the top for the finishing part up there too. But, the rabbit needs a wider cut than 12.75″! So, I took an inch off the width of the bear block and added it to the rabbit. This worked out just fine and the basket looked great, and the spacing between the animals looked pretty even too!

The cut list (width x height) for each of the large Thicket animal blocks:

Fox: 12.75″ x 19″
Owl: 12.75″ x 19″
Bear: 11.75″ x 19″
Rabbit: 13.75″ x 19″
Lining: 45″ x 19″
(I used Feather Weight interfacing from Pellon for interfacing the lining, and Fusible Fleece on the outside for extra structure and loft.)

*** Make sure to start all of your cuts the same distance below the bottom of each of the animals’ feet! In the case of the Extra Large pop-up with the Large animal print, I measured 1.5″ below the feet of each animal as my bottom cutting line. This will provide a straight line visually around the bottom of the basket. ***

Ok, now sew the blocks together and the flat strip should measure 26.5″ like the pattern calls for. Apply the interfacing, grab your pattern and spring, and you are all set to finish your project!