Tutorial: Fabric Basket

::Materials needed::
Fabric:
Natural Linen: 1/4 yard for Basket Exterior and Handles
Pink Polka Dots Print: 1/8 yard for Basket Exterior
Pink Geometric Print: 1/8 yard for Basket Exterior
Flower Print: 1/8 yard for Basket Exterior
Green Rabbit Print: 1/2 yard for Lining
Other Materials:
Fleece Batting: 1/2 yard


First of all, cut out 2" squares from 3 different kinds of fabrics: 8 squares from each.
(1/4" seam allowance is included, so your finished square will be a 1 1/2" square)


Sew together two squares, making sure those two are different fabrics.
I made equal amounts for each set like in the picture: 4 for each set.


Press seams in one direction in the way that it isn't on top of each other.


Now Sew together pieces to create 2 6x2 patchwork layer.


When 2 layers are completed, press seam open like this.


It should look like this when you flip them over.When the same fabrics are not
next to each other like this, it might look a little interesting.


Sew the patchwork layers to a 6"x9 1/2" piece of linen fabric.


Place a fleece batting underneath it. Fleece batting is stable and great for this purpose. Make it a little bigger than the top layer.


Pin the layers and sew along the line that separates the patchwork part and the linen part. Repeat this for the other side too.


Machine baste the both edge.


Cut off the excess batting.


Fold it in half right sides together and sew the two edges like this.


Box corners (this link is helpful). Sew the line: along the seam from the pointy end to the needle it is 1 3/4". Repeat this for the other corner too.


Trim excess.


Let us move on to making handles. Cut out 2 - 2"x10 1/2" pieces of fabrics.


Sew them right sides together and press seam open.


Fold each side to the middle just like when you make a bias tape.


Fold in half and sew the edges like this.


Cut in half. Now you have two handles.


Sew the handles to the main basket.





Now let's make a basket lining. Fold in half a 12"x9 1/4" piece of fabric right sides together and sew the two edges, leaving a lining opening(about 2").


Do the same as you did for the main basket.


Sew outer basket and lining together.


Turn the basket right side out through lining opening and pin like this.


Sew the top part of the basket. Hand-stitch opening closed.




Now your fabric basket is complete! Yeah!!

I would love to hear what you think of this tutorial and if you make it, let me know!

Thanks for your time to stop by this blog and reading my posting!;)


Edited to add: 
- All my tutorials are for personal use only. Thanks for understanding!

- Now this tutorial is available in a PDF format (so that you can finally 
print it out!) 

Edited to Add:
- I have had many people asking me to sell a license to sell their fabric baskets made from this tutorial. If you'd like to sell these as a part of your small business (up to 20 baskets/month), you can purchase the license here.

http://ayumills.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/tutorial-fabric-basket.html

Great tutorial from Pink Penguin. Note the nesting seams!