I have been making fabric baskets for ages and never get tired of them. These fabric containers are great as gifts or storage bins. In the kitchen I keep there cloth napkins, in the bathroom - make up and small items. When my boys were little, these baskets were perfect for their favorite Lego pieces, now they keep there gadget cords.
It is also a quick make that takes around half an hour.
For a basket with the measurements 5" (12.5 cm) tall, 3 1/4" (8.5 cm) deep x 6" wide (15.5 cm) you will need (all measurements are width x height)
- 2 pieces of fabric 10 x 14 inch (25 x 35 cm)
- 1 piece 10 x 14 inch (25 x 35 cm) of woven fusible interfacing
I like using Marimekko upholstery grade heavy weight cotton for outer side and heavy weight cotton for lining. You can use canvas, denim or upholstery fabric. Even though upholstery fabric is quite thick I like adding fusible interfacing because it makes the basket sturdier and shapes it better.
Since I was using waterproof coated fabric in this tutorial, I didn´t use fusible interfacing.
Let´s start. Iron the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of your outer piece of fabric (according to the instructions on the package).
Fold both outer piece and lining right sides together along the 14 inch side. You can also add a tag .
Sew along each side of outer fabric with regular seam allowance. Repeat with inner fabric. You will now have 2 bags.
Box the corners. Fold your piece in a way shown on the photo below and mark a line at 1,5 inch from the bottom of the corner (the folded seam should always face to the right - it will make nesting the seams at the later stage easier).
Sew along the marked line locking the stitches in the beginning and the end. Cut off the corners with 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Press the side seams on both outer and lining pieces. Don´t skip that step, it doesn´t take much time but it will only make your finished basket look better.
Now insert the lining into the outer piece with the right sides facing, nest the side seams and pin them together along the top, leaving a 3-4 inch gap. Sew along the top, taking the clips off as you go.
This is how it looks after sewing. Turn it right side out through the opening.
We are almost there - the final seam left! Put the lining inside the basket and pin with clips along the edge.
Increase the stitch length to 3,0. You can use a top stitch needle for best results (universal needle works too). Stitch along the top. Bury the thread ends! Ta-da! You have finished your basket!
I think it took me more time to write the tutorial rather than to sew a basket.
If you would like to make one using this tutorial, please, tag me @nordiccrafter on Instagram. If you don´t know how to sew you can buy a Marimekko basket from my shop (I still add the items and if you don´t find what you are looking for, send me a message).
Happy Sewing!