Mini Basket Tutorial

Several folks asked for a tutorial so here you go!  Before you get started, I will warn you that these are very addictive.  If you have made any kind of bag before, you'll put these together very, very quickly.  (Giveaway for a mini kit to either make one of these baskets or let me make one for you can be found here!)

For my bags, I used squares from Happy H"owl"oween layer cake.

And labels from Sweetwater.

Choose 4 squares from your layer cake - 2 of these squares should match as they will be your lining fabric.  

From square 1, cut 2 strips 3 1/2 by 9 1/2 (the green in my photo) for the side of basket.

From square 2, cut a strip 6 1/2 by 9 1/2 for the bottom of the basket.

Join together creating one piece of fabric.

Cut your 2 matching squares to get 2 pieces which measure 6 1/2 by 9 1/2 and put aside for lining.  (Note you can use the leftover fabric from the lining for the sides of your next basket!!!)

Cut a piece of iron on fusible fleece to the back and iron to wrong side of fabric.

After the fusible is secure, iron on your label.  This is an optional step but important you do this after the fusible because these labels can get scorched by the iron.  (Don't ask me how I know this.)   You can choose to also top stitch the label but I didn't think it was necessary for mine.

Fold in half (right sides together) and sew side seams.

Next step is to box the corners - you can experiment here to get the dimensions you want.  For a basket that measures 4 inches high, I measured a rough 1 1/2 inches from the point and then sewed across - roughly where the pin in.   Do this for both corners.

You can experiment here and create a basket that is taller than 4 inches and skinny.  After you box the corners, turn the basket inside out and sit it on your sewing table and make sure you are happy with it.

Now create the lining.  Take your 2 matching squares (cut 6 1/2 by 9 1/2) and sew the bottom seam and one complete side seam.  For the other side seam, sew from top edge about 1 1/2 inches and backstich.  Then sew up from bottom edge seam 2 inches and backstitch.  This should leave an opening roughly 2 1/2 inches which should be large enough to turn things inside out once lining is attached.  Box corners on lining the same way you did above.

Nest your basket - right side out - inside your lining - wrong side out.  This puts RIGHT SIDES together.  Pin along the top edge.

If you want handles, you can use ribbon (7 1/2 inches) or you could make handles out of fabric.  They should be positioned between the lining and basket to either side of the side seam.  In this photo, they are tucked inside - sorry I don't have a photo that shows this.

Sew completely around top edge.

Find the opening in the lining and then gently turn basket inside out.  If you have to, you can always make that opening a bit wider.   Once turned, hand stitch the opening. 

I really like how you can see the top edge of the lining in this photo. 

Fill with candy and enjoy!

And, if like me you can't make just one, you can build a tower!!

Happy Stitching!