Practical Fabric Baskets Tutorial

These nifty little baskets are practical for storing bits and bobs. Free Sewing instructions. Small, Medium or Large Basket.

MATERIALS
38.5 x 20.5cm (15 x 8in) fabric for the smaller bag
41 x 22cm (16 x 8½in) fabric for the medium bag
38.8 x 23cm (15 x 9in) fabric for the large bag 
½m (⅝yd) cotton twill fabric for the lining*
½m (⅝yd) iron-on interfacing 
Pinking Shears
*recommends a cotton twill for the lining as the stiffness helps to the bags to keep their shape

FINISHED SIZE
Approximate sizes, diameter x height based on the bags folded:
Small bag 14 x 12.7cm (5½ x 5in)
Medium bag 14cm (5½in) square
Large bag 14 x 15.2cm (5½ x 6in)
  
PREPARATION
Use ¼in seam allowance throughout.
Wash and press fabrics before starting.

 

Cutting instructions

1 For the small basket cut:
• Two 7½ x 8in rectangles for the bag outer
• Two 8in squares for the lining
• Two 8in squares of iron-on interfacing

2 For the medium basket cut:
• Two 8 x 8½in rectangles for the bag outer
• Two 8½ x 8in rectangles for the lining   
• Two  8½ x 8in rectangles of iron-on interfacing

3 For the large basket cut:
• Two 7½ x 9in rectangles for the bag outer
• Two 8 x 9in rectangles for the lining 
• Two 8 x 9in rectangles of iron-on  interfacing

Sewing instructions
 
The method that follows is the same for each of the bags.

1 Following the manufacturer’s instructions, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the bag outer fabric. This makes the basket sturdier when used.

2 Place two bag outers together, wrong sides facing, making sure the pattern follows the same direction all the way around. Pin and sew along the bottom then up the side, leaving the top open.

3 Place the bag on your sewing surface, with the wrong sides still facing out. On one side, line the bottom and side seams on top of each other and press flat with a hot iron, Fig 1. Make a mark with a pen, 2in across the now centre side seam, do not measure along the outer sides, only the centre seam. Fig 2

4 Stitch across the corner twice to create a sturdy seam, and snip off the end with pinking shears. Repeat on the opposite corner. Put the outer bag aside for now. Fig 3 

 

5 Place the lining pieces on top of each other, pin in place and sew around as before, but this time leave a 3in gap of stitching in the centre of the bottom. This will be used for turning later. Create the box corners the same way as you did for the outer bag.

6 Turn your outer bag right sides out and place it into the lining bag, Fig 4. Pull and twist the inner bag into the lining bag which is still right sides in, and line up the side seams. Pin in place, Fig 5, then stitch around the top of the bag.

7 Gently pull the outer bag through the 3in gap at the bottom of the lining. Fig 6 

8 Once you have fed the bag all the way through and checked the seams, fold in the sides of the open 3in gap at the bottom, press flat and sew straight across, Fig 7. Iron your bag, folding the lining  inside. Line up the top seam and iron flat then fold the top down by approximately 1½in.