Materials:
1/2 yard of exterior and handles fabric*** Fat Quarter (FQ) of interior fabric Fusible fleece/Thermolam or similar
*** Home decor weight recommended. You can make the exterior of the basket with just a Fat Quarter, but you will need additional materials to make the handles.
Cutting:
From the exterior fabric: (2) 10.5”x16.5” rectangles*** for the basket (2) 5”x9” rectangles for handles
*** The top of the basket is along the 16.5” side, so if you have a directional print, be sure the top of the print runs along the 16.5” side.
From the interior fabric: (2) 10.5”x16.5” rectangles
From the fusible fleece: (2) 10.5”x16.5” rectangles
Assembly:
- Fuse your fusible fleece (or desired interfacing) to the EXTERIOR basket pieces. Set aside.
- Fold one of the 5”x9” exterior fabric rectangles in half lengthwise and press. Open it up then fold in both sides 1” toward the center crease. Press. Please note, you are NOT folding the edges all the way to the middle. Your finished handle should be about 1.5” wide when folded up. Once folded, top stitch down either side of the handle. Repeat for the other 5”x9” exterior rectangle. Set handles aside.
- Pin the interior 10.5”x16.5” rectangles right sides together (RST). Using a 5/8” seam allowance, sew down both 10.5” sides. Sew along ONE 16.5” side leaving a 3” opening at the bottom for turning. Be sure to backstitch at each end of the opening. This piece will be your lining.
- Pin the exterior 10.5”x16.5” rectangles with interfacing fused RST. Using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew down both 10.5” sides. Sew along ONE 16.5” side – if your print is directional, be sure you are sewing along the BOTTOM of the print! I would hate for you to finish your basket only to have the print upside down!
- Draw a 3” square in the bottom corners of your lining piece. This should be in the corners that are completely sewn shut. Repeat for your exterior piece.
- Cut out the squares drawn in step 5 on both the lining and exterior pieces.
- Open up the corners (the areas you just cut out a square) and “nest” the seams, lining up the edges of the corners. Pin. Repeat for both exterior corners and lining corners.
- Sew the 2 exterior and 2 lining corners shut using a 1/4” seam allowance.
- Turn the exterior of the basket right side out, pressing out the corners.
- Pin (or use Clover clips) each end of a handle piece 1” from the side seam. Repeat for the other handle piece and side seam.
- Place the exterior of the basket inside the lining so that the right sides of both the lining and the exterior are facing. Pin (or clip) in place along the top. Be sure to nest the side seams of the lining and exterior pieces.
- Using a 1/2″ seam allowance, sew along the top of the basket, connecting the exterior and the lining.
- Using the 3” opening left in the lining, turn the basket right side out. Carefully push out the corners of the basket and tuck the lining back inside.
- Press the top edge of the basket carefully so that the lining is tucked in and not visible along the top edge of the basket. This is an important step to make your finished basket look cute! Take your time! Pin (or use clips) along the top of the basket to hold the lining in place. Top stitch along the edge using a 1/8” seam allowance. This will hold the lining in place and give your basket a more finished look.
- Sew the opening in the lining shut using a 1/8” seam allowance. You’re done!
