I'd like to know how to make a cloth basket using old clothes and material scraps. I have everything from basic fabrics to jeans to sweaters to use.
Baskets can be so expensive, so I'd love to make my own. I'm looking especially for rectangular baskets (so I can stack them a bit). Easy/beginner level if at all possible.
To make a folding basket (one that stores flat, but pops up when you need it by tying ribbons at the corners) -
1. Figure out the dimensions you want. You said you want rectangular baskets, so find a box (shoebox?) that is the size you want, and open it up flat. This will become your pattern. You can adjust as needed.
2. Cut 2 pieces of fabric the total size of the box (bottom, sides and ends)
3. Cut some cardboard or funfoam the size of the bottom, and each of the sides (5 pieces total). they shoudl be a littel bit smaller than the sides.
4. Cut some flannel, batting, or towel to go in the middle to give it a little body.
5. Layer all these things together lke a sandwich - outside fabric, cardboard/foam, flannel/batting, inside of the basket fabric. Pin everything together around the outside, and along where the box will "fold" being sure there is no cardboard/foam underneat the folds.
6. Stitch all these seams (will look almost like tic tac toe with a box around it.
7. Cut ribbon that you like into pieces about 6 inches long, and stitch them diagonally at the corners (about 1/2 inch from the tip of the corner.
8. Use bias tape, and sew it all around the outside.
Tie up your corners, and you have a basket!
If you use the fun foam, you can wash it, but don't put them in the dryer. If you use cardboard, don't wash it. I have also used needlepoint canvas for the inside, but it is bulky.
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