March 22, 2009 - 1:17pm
Home Made Bannettons
I tried using the search function to answer this question, but was not successful..
Has any member made linen liners for wicker bread baskets??..If so, what grade of linen did you purchase..I want to make some so that I can start experimenting with Poilane-style miches..I am interested in making 8", 10", and 12" linen-lined baskets..Probably at least two of each size..The linen sold by artisan bakery supply companies is very expensive compared to purchasing linen by the yard in a fabric store..Any advice would be helpful, especially as to construction / sewing procedures..Any tips on how to approach making a pattern for cutting the linen would be greatly appreciated..
Bruce
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I have made homemade ones with just heavy cotton-linen fabric (4 euros a meter), no pattern, not even worrying about the quality of my sewing and they have always worked and doughs have never stuck. No point in being too perfectionist about it, unless you want to. I just loosely hand sewed seams that made the fabric sort of take the shape of the basket, cut the top edges so it could be rolled and sewed. Jane
Thanks Jane
My sewing skills are minimal, although I can use a sewing machine in a pinch..Been a while since I sewed anything more than repairing a seam, or re-attaching a button..I will just wing the pattern..
Bruce
Bruce,
If you can handle a sewing machine you're all set. Just cut a large circle from the fabric, set the machine up for a wide zig zag stitch and just stitch over 1/4" elastic that you place on the edge of the circle, stretch the elastic a little as you go and overlap the ends, sew as few stitches at the end to hold it all together and you're all set. I will see if I can do one tonight and take photos for you to see what I mean. mattie
Is there a process for seasoning the linen or linen/cotton so the dough doesn't stick? ....besides flour?
I don't bother with sewing - I just use a piece of linen as is. This way it fits every basket and can be used as couche. Easier to store too - let it dry, fold and put away.
Mike
I don't sew mine in either, I just have several pieces of loose linen ina few sizes. It makes it easier to get sticky dough out of the basket if you can turn out the dough onto the peel and then peel the linen away from it.
Here's where I got mine from:
http://www.fabrics-store.com/first.php?goto=big_fabric&fabric_id=549
cloth
I have found that a heavy cotton called "duck cloth" that can be found at arts and crafts stores works just as well as linen, which is much more expensive. I use a large enough piece of it that it drapes over the side of my wicker basket. That way I can use a large rubber band to hold it in place. The material is stiff enough that I can press the folds virtually flat inside the basket so that my bread doesn't get fold marks (not that I'm so professional that the flour stays on the dough perfectly anyway!).
Summer