Fabric Basket

Learn how to make a lined fabric basket with handles in any size. Nicki LaFoille shows you how!

A fabric basket is useful for storage and organization in any space. Sewing a fabric basket is a great way to incorporate beautiful coordinating fabrics for a decorative element. Use quilting cotton for the outside and lining, or use a heavier weight fabric, such as denim or canvas, for the outside of the fabric basket.

Nicki provides dimensions for the fabric pieces for a 3 ½” tall and 7” diameter basket, but describes the process to determine the dimensions for any size basket. Once the bottom circle is drawn, you can measure the seamline of the circle, and add seam allowances, which will provide the length of the side piece. The height of the side piece can be as tall as desired. Create shallower or deeper baskets depending on your need. Nicki recommends cutting the lining side ⅛” shorter than the outer, to account for turn of cloth and allow the lining to tuck neatly inside the fabric basket when turned right side out.

Fusible fleece gives the basket sturdiness and allows it to stand up on its own. Nicki demonstrates how to stitch the side piece, then quartermark the pieces and ease the straight edge of the side piece into the curved edge of the bottom circle. Use twill tape, webbing, ribbon, or fabric for the handles, and align them along the upper edge.

Nicki demonstrates how to attach the lining and outer fabric baskets together, then topstitch the upper edge, to close the opening and to secure the lining inside the fabric basket.

For more basket and bowl tutorials, check out these videos:
How to Make a Sturdy Fabric Basket
How to Make a Zippered Box Pouch
Rope Bowls with Scrap Fabric