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26 Mar 2013

HANDMADE: FABRIC EASTER BASKETS


I really wanted to make something for my pilots this Easter.  I remembered that I had this vintage fabric that I received from my mom's neighbour for Christmas a couple of years ago (one of the best Christmas gifts ever!).  Apparently, the fabric belonged to her mother-in-law who was a home-ec teacher.  The fabric has all sorts of little animals (bunnies, birds, butterflies, etc.) and flowers which is perfect for Easter.  At first, I wasn't sure what I was going to make out of the fabric, but when I started thinking about an Easter basket for Little Pilot, I came up with the idea of making him one out of the fabric.  

Here are some more pictures of the baskets.  I placed some toys in one and the other is empty so you can see a little of the lining.  I haven't picked up any Easter treats yet, but hopefully you can imagine them full of some fun Easter tingsies (my sister's "Finglish" for "things").  Just in case your not familiar with Finglish - it's a mixture of English and Finnish that tends to be the byproduct of Finns living in North America.  I'm not really planning on buying too much for the baskets.  I may put some Easterish books that we already own in there and some homemade treats.  Little Pilot thinks he's getting aiplanes, helicopters and cars.  I think we'll also use them for our Easter egg hunt.  
I love how these baskets turned out.  Isn't vintage fabric the best!?  The lining fabric was bought from Fabricland and I love how the polka dots look with the vintage fabric.   

I've seen a few tutorials on fabric baskets, but they are usually for a specific size and/or require hand sewing.  So I decided to include a little how to for my baskets with notes on making your basket any size you would like and no hand sewing required!

Handmade Fabric Basket How To

Material:

You will need your outer fabric, lining fabric and heavyweight interfacing.

I made my basket based on a salad plate that I traced (it was 8 1/4 " diameter).  My pieces were as follows:
  • one  26 3/4" X 12 1/2 " rectangle from both the outer and lining fabric
  • one 8 3/4" circle from both the outer and lining fabric
  • one 8 1/4" circle from interfacing
  • one 26 1/4" x 12 " rectangle from interfacing
You could also use a compass to make any size circle/basket you want.  Just take the radius of your circle and calculate the rectangle length using:  2 x pi (3.136...) x your radius.  You can make the height of the rectangle whatever you wish.  Remember to add a 1/2 " to all your pieces to allow for a 1/4" seem allowance.


1. Once you have cut out your pieces, iron on your interfacing to your outer fabric pieces. 
2. Then, sew your outer fabric in to tube by stitching the two short sides, right sides together.  (Little Pilot thought he could fit through the tube). :)

3. Now attach your circle to the bottom of your tube sewing right sides together.  Pin sparingly so that you can ease the materials together as you sew.

4. Now turn your tube right side out.

5. Repeat the above steps 2) and 3) with the lining material.

6.  Leave your lining tube inside out and slip over the outer tube matching the seam of your lining to the seam of the outer fabric.

7.  Stitch the tubes together at the top leaving an opening through which you will turn the basket right side out.

8.  Once your basket is right side out, press the top seem and then topstitch along the top enclosing your opening as you go around.

That's it.  A relatively simple sewing project!

I'm really happy to give my pilots handmade Easter baskets that are going to be super useful as toy storage after Easter as well.  Have you made anything for Easter this year?  I'd love to see your projects. :)

Sharing with:  GingersnapCrafts, SavvySouthernStyle, SNAPcreativity, houseofhepworths, 36thave, inspirationgallery, shabbynest, tatertots&jello, sundayshowcase, DIYShowoff, Mondayfunday

24 comments:

  1. These are so adorable! I really need to learn how to sew so I can make cute things like this.

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  2. Anu, those are absolutely fantastic and that fabric is to die for!!!!!( I'm jealous of that beautiful vintage fabric ;-D). The modern big polkadots go spot on with the vintage one. I've been meaning to make fabric baskets for my girls endless piles of toys but so far haven't done any. Maybe this will give me a boost. :) You did wonderful job on these. WTG girl! Hugs!

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    1. Thanks Ina! I am SO happy that I found the perfect use for the fabric. :)

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  3. What a great idea! I have a whole bunch of fabric that I've been searching for a use for. This is perfect! Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. Thanks Kathryn. :) It is a great project for leftover fabric and you could even use them to store some of your fabric stash too.

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  4. That fabric is fabulous! And that's the perfect project for it :)

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  5. This is amazing. I love these baskets. Can't believe you made them yourself.
    I'm a new follower.

    If you have a home organization blog post that you've done or are doing in the next month - I would like for you to link it up at our Linky Home Organization Blog Hop since April is Spring Cleaning month over at our blog. Link up now: http://bit.ly/XDWic2

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    1. Thanks Khloe. I'm so glad to have you follow along. If I ever finish organizing my hubbie's office, I'll definitely share it at your linky. :)

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  6. super cute- do they just stay up

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    1. Thanks Kelly. The heavyweight interfacing gives them enough stability/stiffness to stand up on their own.

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  7. That fabric is gorgeous! These are fantastic, going to have to give them a try.

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  8. woohoo! thanks anu for the step-by-step... i WILL be making some! oh goodness... baskets have been on my 'list of things to do' for quite some time now...
    i adore the fabric as well! but you know what's so great about it - it doesn't look feminine! most 'bunnies and flowers' can look pretty feminine... but the colours and imagery can work for either boys or girls. love it!

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    1. Thanks Jenny! I love the fabric for my boys. I think it definitely works for them at least now when they're small. Little Pilot chose the one with the cat on it for himself. He loves cats! He thinks a cat would jump into his lap and let him hold it. :)

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    2. lol... that's too funny!
      lucy thinks we should take one of the neighbourhood 'kissat' home to 'bobo' (onni...)... she thinks they'll happily follow us home... ;)

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  9. What an awesome tutorial! The basket is adorable & love the fabric! Lucky ducky gift... I'm your newest follower, my castle doors are always open for browsing at the "royal" blog! Would love for you to come visit, Tiff

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  10. These are so pretty! I love the lining fabric.
    Sarah

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  11. These are awesome! I'm really digging the fabric combo.

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  12. Seriously so so cute! I am in love, and once again tonight have to say that I had better get sewing because these would be just wonderful for my little gals toys, shoes, well lets just say everything!
    Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy

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  13. These are beautiful and something I'd like to make! Is there any way to post this to Pinterest for future reference? Wonderful idea, beautiful fabric, great inspiration!

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    Replies
    1. Hi there. Thanks for your lovely comment. :) You can find the baskets on my pinterest board and repin from there: http://pinterest.com/nalleshouse/nalle-s-house/ or install the pin it button to your browser: http://about.pinterest.com/goodies/. I hope that helps. I am working on getting a pin it button set up for my images (hopefully soon). :)

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    2. Thanks for the Pinterest tip! I didn't even know that was a possibility! I'll be following you from now on! :-D

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  14. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm glad you shared this link with me. I love the baskets! That bird fabric is amazing!! Kady @ Pink Gerbera Daisies

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  15. P.S. I'm your newest follower! I hope you follow me back so we can see each other's projects! :)

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