How to make fabric baskets (with just 1 fat quarter of fabric)

Keep your sewing patterns in one place and brighten up your craft space with Jennie Jones’ simple fabric basket pattern.

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Published: April 13, 2020 at 6:53 am

Spruce up your living room or sewing space with this quick-make DIY project to make using just 1 fat quarter of fabric. Here's how...

Notes

Use a 1cm (38in) seam allowance throughout.

Are your dress patterns taking over your sewing space? Problem solved with one fat quarter!

You will need:

  • Fabric (For the basket) (1 fat quarter)
  • Fabric (Cotton fabric for the lining) (46x46cm (18x18in))
  • Iron-on-interfacing (46x46cm (18x18in))
  • Bias binding (1 metre (1yd))
  • Basic sewing kit

Cutting the fabric

Step 1

Cut your fat quarter into a 46x46cm (18x18in) square and fold into quarters.   

Step 2

Find the centre point of the bottom of a sewing pattern and line up the folded side of the fabric with this centre point. You then need to pin a line 1cm (3/8in) outside this for the seam allowance.

Step 3

Repeat this to pin a line on the other folded side of the fabric, again centering your pattern against the fold.

Step 4

Fold your fabric diagonally to ensure your pin lines are centred, then draw two lines following the pin lines, making an L shape on the folded side.   

Fabric baskets pattern step 5

Step 5

Cut your fabric out along both of the drawn lines to use for the box outer.

Cutting the lining and interfacing

Step 1

Place your lining on top of your opened out box outer and pin into place.

Step 2

Cut around the fabric shape to make the lining the same size and shape.

Step 3

Repeat this to cut the interfacing.

Making the box outer

Step 1

Open the fabric out and place the interfacing on the wrong side (WS) with the glue side down.

Step 2

Press the interfacing firmly into place. This will help to stiffen the sides of your fabric box.

Step 3

Fold the fabric in half with right sides (RS) together so the opposite edges are touching and pin then stitch together.

Fabric baskets pattern step 2

Step 4

Repeat this on the remaining two sides to make a box.

Fabric baskets pattern step 3

Lining the box

Step 1

Join the four corners of the lining fabric together in the same way as for the box outer, pinning then stitching together.

Step 2

Place the lining inside the outer with WS facing and match the seams at the top. Pin the lining to the fabric around the top edge.   

Fabric baskets pattern step 4

Step 3

Stitch together around the top using a machine zigzag.

Binding the top edge

Step 1

Fold the bias binding around the top edge to enclose the raw edges of the outer and lining.

Step 2

Turn one short end of the binding under to overlap on top of the other then topstitch into place all the way around.

Step 3

Now you can organise your sewing patterns neatly inside.

How to make baskets out of fabric