Hi guys!
I've been wanting to share this with you ever since I started decorating my studio! I am one of those people who likes to work in a reasonably organized space. In order for my workday to be productive I try to get everything set up neatly the night before, and yes! that also has to look presentable... I know, I know it sounds silly, but being surrounded by pretty patterns, plants, books, shelves, fabrics etc makes me super crazy productive! So I thought to myself: How can I organize my studio and home and use that to also decorate it?
Ta-da! Fabric baskets! I've been making them double-sided so when you fold them over both prints show! So choose a couple of pretty fabrics that go with your space and let's get started!
Here's what you will need along with the dimensions:
2 pieces of fabric each measuring 20 x 6 inches (50.5 x 15.5 cm) - one for the outside and one for the lining
2 round pieces of fabric each with a diameter of 6 inches (16 cm) - one for the outside and one for the lining
1 piece of fusible interfacing 19 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (49.5 x 14.5 cm)
1 round piece of fusible interfacing with a diameter of 5 1/2 inches (15 cm)
NOTES:
I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
There are several types of fabric you can use for this project. I recommend using 100% cotton printed fabrics with some body because it looks better even when using interfacing. In regards to the print, choose two designs that go well together, and that's very easy to find when you are shopping the same collection of fabrics. For this project I recommend using the heavy cotton twill and the linen cotton canvas from Spoonflower. They have thousands of designs to offer and Dreaming With Isa is there too! Check it out here, and let me know what you think!
These measurements are good to make a small to medium size basket. If you want to make them with your own measurements to fit your own space, no problem! Here is a little tip to calculate the circle for the bottom and the length of the rectangles:
Circumference (length of the rectangle) = 2 x 3.14 x radius
If you want to come up with the circle size that best suits you first, then go the other way around. Let's say you want an 8 inch circle in diameter (which means that your radius, which is always half of your diameter, will be 4 inches):
Radius = Circumference / 2 x 3.14
4 inches = Circumference / 6.28
Circumference = 4 x 6.28
Circumference = 25 inches
That means your rectangle should measure 25 inches in length by whatever height you choose, and the circle diameter should be 8 inches. :)
Phew!!! Enough with the math! Let's get sewing!
First things first: take your fabrics and interfacing to the ironing board and fuse the one interfacing rectangle to the lining fabric rectangle, and the one interfacing circle to the lining circle. Whatever side you choose as your lining and outside fabric it doesn't matter, you can always flip them inside out once you are tired of it! :)
After interfacing phase is done, take your pieces to the machine. Let's start with the interfacing parts, the fused rectangle goes with the fused circle, that makes the inside basket. Fold the rectangle in half lenghwise with the right sides together and sew with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, as you can see below.
Now pin the circle to the bottom. Note if the design on the fabric has a direction so you don't place the circle in the wrong end.
Very easy right?
While you are sewing, make sure you remove the pins before the needle goes over it! A little tip to sew the circle is to go slowly, and if you are having trouble, use the 1/8 inch seam allowance, the curves can be tricky! :)
Repeat the same instructions for the outside basket.
Now, we've finished both lining and outside parts. We are almost done! Let's pin them together with the right sides touching, as you can see below. Leave a 3 or 4 inches opening (without stiching) so you are able to flip it inside out through that hole.
Right sides together.
Leave the opening.
Through that hole, you will be able to turn it inside out. And it will look like this:
Push one basket inside the other - it doesn't really matter which one you choose to be the lining.
Now, we'll have to topstich that opening, so go back to the ironing board to iron the opening flat - it's much easier to sew that way.
Back to the machine to topstich it! Choose any color you like! Contrasting color looks good on this project!
Voila!!! Our basket is ready! You can add a little tassel to give it a little extra charm! And you can learn how to make them here.
Isn't that super cute? I use mine to store yarns and embroidery threads.
But you can also use them as planters!
And we are done! If you have any questions, leave a comment or e-mail me at hello@dreamingwithisa.com, I'll be happy to help with anything!
Don't forget to share your creations on Instagram!
