Friday 22 February 2019

How to make a ~ Fabric Basket with Handles ~ Tutorial

fabric basket is a great place to store all those little bits and pieces that children collect. Measuring 6.5" x 6" x 6" (16.5cm x 15cm x 15cm), this handy sized basket is sturdy enough to stand up by itself. Today's tutorial will show you how to easily make one.

Learn how to make a fabric basket with handles. Tutorial by Threading My Way

This tutorial was originally published elsewhere on the Internet a few years ago. The original posting is no longer available, so I thought I'd republish it here on Threading My Way.

Materials:
  • 2 pieces - 13 inches x 10 inches (33cm x 25cm)exterior of the basket
  • 2 pieces - 13 inches x 10 inches (33cm x 25cm) contrast colour for the lining
  • 2 pieces - 13 inches x 10 inches (33cm x 25cm) - medium to heavy weight, woven, sew-in interfacing for the exterior
  • 2 pieces - 13 inches x 10 inches (33cm x 25cm) - light weight iron-on interfacing for the lining
  • 2 pieces - 8 inches x 4 inches (20cm x 10cm) - contrast colour for the handles
  • 2 pieces - 8 inches x 1 inch (20cm x 2.5cm) - heavy weight, woven, sew-in interfacing for the handles

When cutting exterior and lining fabric:
  • 13 inches (33cm) = Width
  • 10 inches (25cm) = Height

The exterior fabric is 100% cotton Curtain Fabric and the lining a slightly heavier cotton. 

The interfacing used in this project, produces a basket that will stand up by itself, without being bulky to sew. You could substitute those specified with different weight interfacing, fleece or batting. It all depends on the look you are after, what you are used to sewing with and the weight of the fabric you are using.

Instructions:
All seams are 3/8 inch (1cm), unless otherwise indicated.
Use a NON steam setting for pressing, with the iron at the correct setting for both interfacing and fabric.
Backstitch at the beginning and ending of seams.
Using a denim or jeans sewing machine needle, will help with sewing bulky parts of the project.
Keep pins well away from the presser foot. DO NOT sew over them.

Interfacing for exterior fabric:
  • Sew interfacing to the wrong side of exterior fabric, to prevent movement.
  • Sew on all 4 sides, sewing 1/4 inch (6mm) from the edge of the fabric.
  • Neaten all edges, with a zig zag stitch or overlocker (serger).

Interfacing for lining fabric:
  • Cut the iron-on interfacing a fraction smaller than the lining.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions to fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the lining. 
  • Place a cloth under the iron to prevent glue getting on the iron.
  • Neaten all edges, with a zig zag stitch or overlocker (serger).

Exterior of basket - sew front to back:
  1. With right sides together, sew down one side, stopping with the needle in the down position 3/8 inch (1cm) from the bottom edge.
  2. Lift the presser foot and turn the fabric 90º.
  3. Lower the presser foot and sew across the bottom, stopping with the needle in the down position 3/8 inch (1cm) from the side edge.
  4. Lift the presser foot and turn the fabric 90º.
  5. Lower the presser foot and sew the 2nd side.
  6. Press seams open.



Sew lining:
The two lining pieces are joined in the same way as the exterior fabric, except that a 2 - 3 inch (5 - 8cm) gap is left in the bottom seam, to allow turning later on. 
  1. With right sides together, sew down one side, stopping with the needle in the down position 3/8 inch (1cm) from the bottom edge.
  2. Lift the presser foot and turn the fabric 90º.
  3. Lower the presser foot and sew 4.5 inches (11cm) across the bottom. Stop and backstitch.
  4. Leave a gap and begin sewing  4.5 inches (11cm) from the 2nd corner. Backstitch as you start sewing. Stop with the needle in the down position 3/8 inch (1cm) from the side edge.
  5. Lift the presser foot and turn the fabric 90º.
  6. Lower the presser foot and sew the 2nd side.
  7. Press seams open.
  8. Leave the lining wrong side out.

Make boxed corners on exterior and lining:
  1. Measure 3 inches (7.5cm) from the bottom corner seam in both directions. (Measure from the seam. Don't measure from the edge of the fabric.) 
  2. Put a mark at 3 inches (7.5cm). You will have two marks, both 3 inches (7.5cm) from the corner.
  3. Pull out the sides of your basket.
  4. Place one seam on top of the other seam.
  5. Put a pin through the top mark. If the pin comes out through the mark on the other side, your boxed corner will line up. 
  6. If the pin is not coming out through the mark on the other side, reposition the fabric until it does.
  7. Make sure the seams are open. 
  8. Holding the fabric in place, take the pin out and re-pin away from the marks.
  9. With a ruler, draw a line across the fabric, at right angles to the seam and through the mark you made.
  10. Remove the pin. Hand sew to hold in place, if you would like.
  11. Sew across the line. Sew a couple of times for reinforcement.
  12. Cut the fabric and neaten.
  13. Repeat for the other three corners... (2 lining, 2 exterior)
  14. Turn right side out and press the boxed corners.
Steps 1 - 2: measure 3" from corner

Step 5: check that the marks are lined up

Steps 8 - 11: rule a line to sew along, remove pin and sew

Step 12: cut fabric and neaten


Make the handles:
  1. Fold in half lengthwise and press.
  2. Open out so you can see the crease.
  3. Fold each half in to meet the crease and press.
  4. Open out one side.
  5. Place the interfacing in the handle so it is touching the centre crease.
  6. Fold the side over the interfacing.
  7. Fold one side over the other side.
  8. Topstitch 1/4 inch (6mm) from the edge, on both sides of each handle. Increase stitch length to 3.0 for the topstitching.
Steps 1 - 2: fold in half, press and open up

Steps 3 - 4: fold each side to meet the centre and press

Step 5: place interfacing in the handle

Steps 6 - 7: fold and press

Step 8: topstitch


Attach handles to the exterior:
  1. Find the centre point, of the top of the exterior fabric, between the side seams.
  2. Place each end of the handle 1.5 inches (4cm) from the centre, with the handle against the right side of the fabric.  There should be 3 inches (7.5cms) between the inside of the handle ends.
  3. Pin the handles to the exterior, with the pin well away from the stitching line, to avoid the presser foot.
  4. Sew 3/8 inch (1cm) from the edge.
  5. Sew back and forth a few times to reinforce.
Steps 2 - 4: sew handles to the exterior

Step 5: reinforce handle


Attach the lining to the outside of the basket:
  1. Turn the lining inside out and the exterior right side out.
  2. Place the exterior inside the lining. ie: the right side of the exterior is next to the right side of the lining.
  3. Place the handles between the lining and the exterior.
  4. Line up the top edges of the lining and the exterior.
  5. Match the seams on either side, making sure the seams are open.
  6. Baste (hand sew) the top edges of the lining and the exterior to hold in place.
  7. Sew a 1/2 inch (1.5cm) seam to join the top edges of the lining and the exterior.
  8. Remove basting.
  9. Sew back and forth over the handles a few times to reinforce. You won't be able to see the handles, but you will be able to feel them.
Steps 2 - 3: place the exterior inside the lining, with the handles in between

Step 6: hand sew to hold in place

Step 7: sew the top edges of lining and exterior

Step 9: reinforce where the handles are


Turn the exterior right side out:


  1. Put your fingers through the hole in the bottom of the lining.
  2. Gently pull the exterior out through the lining.
  3. Close the gap in the lining by sewing a row of stitching near to the edge.


Finishing off:


  1. Push the lining back into the basket.
  2. Press the top edge of the basket.
  3. Topstitch 1/8inch (3mm) from the edge, around the top of the basket.

This little, fabric basket is perfect for storing a myriad of items in a child's room. 
  • matchbox cars
  • games
  • pencils and drawing supplies
  • Lego
  • dice
  • counters
  • farm animals
  • socks
  • underwear
It's a quick and easy project. Make a set to help your young child keep their room tidy.

Learn how to make a fabric basket with handles. Tutorial by Threading My Way


... Pam




2 comments:

Thanks for stopping by! I love reading your comments and try to reply to all of them via email. If you don't receive an email reply from me, check back here.