Learn to Sew a Fabric Basket

Fabric baskets are both fun and functional.  This one is also simple to make using the free pattern.  You can store a lot of little things in this fabric basket.  I like to store sewing supplies but it is great for office supplies and little things in the bathroom.  There are all kinds of uses for these baskets.  This particular pattern came from Sewing Times over on YouTube.  I really wanted to share this project with you since I was making a few for myself.  

I used basic cotton fabric for this project.  It doesn’t require much so you can use remnants or fat quarters for this project.  I used fabric that I had on hand for my fabric basket but you can head to JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores, Hobby Lobby, Fabric.com or Onlinefabricstroe.net to get exactly what you need for your fabric baskets.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  

What you will Need: Learn to Sew a Fabric Basket

• Pattern you can get by clicking on this link
• 1/4 yd outer print fabric 
• 1/4 yd lining fabric
• 1/8 yd contrast fabric for the bottom
• 1/4 yd Fusible Fleece like Pellon TP 971F

Step 1: Cut your Fabrics

From the fusible fleece cut two from the pattern piece on the fold and one that measures 14 1/4″ x 5″.  Cut two outer and two lining pieces that measure 11 3/4″ x 4 3/4″.  From the contrast outer fabric and the lining fabric cut one rectangle each that measure 15″ x 5 3/4″.  Cut two pieces of contrast fabric that measure 2″ x 7 1/2″ for the handles. 

Step 2: Fuse the Fleece

Place the fleece pieces on the wrong side of the 11 3/4″ x 4 3/4″ outer pieces and fuse them following the manufacturers instructions. Place the fused pieces on top of the corresponding lining pieces so that you have a lining and an outer piece together.  Trim around the fleece through both layers leaving a 3/8″ seam allowance.  You should now have four identical pieces.  Fuse the 14 1/4″ x 5″ piece of fleece to the contrast fabric piece that measures 15″ x 5 3/4″.  

Step 3: Create the handles

Take the 2″ x 7 1/2″ and fold the long raw edges into the center and press.  Fold in half to enclose the raw edges and press again.  Stitch on both sides.

Step 4: Mark the centers

Mark the centers of all of the pieces.  The best way to do this is to fold them in half and mark the centers.  You will mark the long edges of the rectangular piece and the top and bottom of the curved piece.  Mark the short ends of the outer contrast fabric rectangle pieces by measuring in from each side 1″ on both ends.  This will be where you place the handles.

Step 5: Add the handles

Place the handles on the marks you just made on the ends of the outer contrast fabric rectangle on the right sides and clip.  Stitch using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  

Step 6: Create the outer fabric basket

Place the contrast fabric rectangle with the handles on your work surface.  Match the center marking with the center marking on the curved part of the main outer piece right sides together and pin. Fold the rest of the rectangle around the curve of the outer piece and pin. Stitch using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Add the other side of the basket in the same way and stitch.   

Step 7: Create the Lining fabric basket

Create the lining basket the same way you created the outer basket. Turn right sides out. 

Step 8: Finish the fabric basket

Place the outer fabric basket into the lining basket so that they are right sides together matching the center markings and pin. Stitch around top of the basket using a 3/8″ seam allowance leaving an opening on one side for turning. Turn the basket right sides out and insert the lining into the outer basket.  Press.  Top stitch all the way around the top of the basket making sure to enclose the opening.  You have now finished your fabric basket.     

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