Storage Basket Tutorial

Storage baskets can be a big expense, but this version is as great to use up your stash as it is for storing your stash in! It would be just as helpful in the bathroom for towels or the kids  room for toys. It is simple to sew and you can make it to match your own decor.  

 MATERIALS
• 1m of outer fabric – canvas or furnishing fabrics would work well
• 1m of lining fabric – use a nice print for a contrast
• 75cm heavy weight interfacing
• Linen thread
• Leather scraps for handles
• Thread

GOOD TO KNOW
• You can make this any size you like, just scale up or down appropriately.
• Use a 1.5cm seam allowance throughout. 

TO CUT  
Outer fabric:
–  Cut 1, 35cm diameter circle 
–  Cut 1, 110cm x 40cm 
Lining:
–  Cut 1, 35cm diameter circle
–  Cut 1, 110cm x 40cm 
Heavyweight interfacing:
–  Cut 1, 32cm diameter circle 
–  Cut 1, 107cm x 25cm 

TO SEW 
1 Measure and cut out all your fabric pieces. 

2. Take the long lengths of fabric and sew them with right sides together at the short edges to make tubes, using a 1.5cm seam allowance. 
3. With right sides together, pin the base of the tube evenly around the edge of the outer fabric circle. Repeat process for the lining fabric pieces. Sew around the base of both, again using a 1.5cm seam allowance. 

4. Turn the outer fabric right side out and place the circle of heavyweight interfacing into the base and around the tube ‘walls’ before putting the lining piece inside and fitting it neatly into the outer basket.

5. Line up the top raw edges. Turn in a small hem and pin, then sew them together.

6. To keep the heavyweight interfacing in place, it is a good idea to run a line of stitching just above the edge of the interfacing – a few little tacking stitches would also work.

7. Fold the top edge of the basket over to the outside to make a cuff. Take the two scraps of leather and fold in half to create a loop. Using the linen thread, sew in place onto the inside of the basket using a cross stitch.