Itty Bitty basket tutorial

Many of you have been asking me for a tutorial on making my storage boxes.  I have put together a little tute here. This is a basic version of the storage bucket and can be adapted to any size.

For now i'm going to keep it small and simple.  I will post back later and explain how to change up the basket to make it bigger and add holes for carrying.

This basket is about 5.5" x  5" finished.

To start, you need a piece of paper to make a pattern. Any kind or type of paper will work but it needs to be at least 9" square. You are going to cut a 9" square out of your paper.

Next, you are going to fold you paper in half

and then fold it in half again, so you have a smaller square. Now, you are going to cut a 1.5 square corner out of it on the open sides (don't cut on the folded side or you'll just end up with a hole in the center of your square).  It should look like this

And when you unfold it

Ok now you have your first pattern piece.  Place it onto your fabric. You'll need at  minimum a 9" square piece of fabric. I'm using part of a layer cake, so my fabric is 10" square.

Cut out around the pattern piece so it looks like this:

Now you are going to attach your side pieces.  You'll need 4 scraps of fabric that are 4" x 6".  I've used different fabrics for mine but you can use all the same fabrics if you like or anything you choose.

Lay them out alongside your bottom piece like this:

Flip over the pieces and sew along cut edge using a 1/4" seam allowance like this;

Fold the fabric sides out and press the seams upwards toward the side pieces.  Topstitch using a scant 1/8" seam.

 

Optional - for a stiffer more sturdy basket, you'll want to interface this entire piece with Decor Bond/Craft bond or some other interfacing material.  

Now you'll sew up the side seams on all four sides, with right sides of the fabric facing each other.  It should look like this when it's done. 

 

Turn it right side out and poke out the corners.

Next you'll make another square using lining fabric. This time your square will be 16"

 

Fold in half and then into quarters as you did for the paper piece.  Then cut out a square from the corner that is 5".  It should look like this.

  

(Interface this piece if you like)

Sew up the sides as you did for the outer basket, but leave it inside out. 

Next you'll place the basket lining inside the outer basket with the wrong sides facing. Poke the corners in so that it's nice and square and all the seams align, then using a basting stitch, you'll baste along the top raw edge of the basket.  

Cut 2" strip of fabric that is at least 28" long.  Make a double-folded tape using a bias-tape maker if you have one, or just use your iron (turn the steam off so you don't burn your fingers  ~ ask me how I know?)

 

Open up the folded tape and pin it to the top edge of the basket.  Sew along the fold line (this should be about 1/2" SA).  It should look like this when you are done. 

 Next fold down the tape over the raw edge and use pins or clips to hold it in place.  I hand-sewed down the tape to the inside of my basket, but you could also machine sew it if you have walking foot.

And when you are done you'll have a handy little storage basket to use in your home.

Mine is full of my ever growing stash of washi tape.  Yep, I love me some washi!

Everyone needs a little itty bitty basket in their home.

Happy Sewing!