Fabric Basket - Free Tutorial & Pattern ~ DIY Tutorial Ideas!

Sewing Easter baskets from fabric {Sewing instructions + free pattern}. Sewing Easter Baskets from Fabric – DIY Step by Step Tutorial.

Before you begin, here's a list of the materials, tools, and supplies you'll need:

Printed pattern pieces
Cotton fabric
Scissors, pen, pins, iron
Kam snaps and pliers
Bias tape and piping in a color that matches the fabric
Fuse-on batting

DOWNLOAD PATTERN HERE

Now it's time to cut:

When cutting, add the seam allowance.

Pattern piece A (side panels): 2x outer fabric, 2x lining fabric, 2x fusible interfacing (Important: If you want to finish the edge of the basket with bias tape like I did, then cut the top edge WITHOUT seam allowance! This is the red line on the pattern.)

Pattern piece B (bottom): 1x outer fabric, 1x lining fabric, 1x fusible interfacing (each cut on the fold)

Pattern piece C (handles): 2x outer fabric, 1x fusible interfacing (each cut on the fold)

Inner Part of the Basket

You'll start with the inner part of the Easter basket. You'll need:

2x Pattern Piece A (Lining/Side Panel)

1x Pattern Piece B (Lining/Base)

Pin the base strip to one of the side panels, right sides together. It's a little fiddly at first, but it gets easier the second time around. 😄 To prevent shifting while sewing, I place the pins perpendicular to the seam and simply sew carefully over them with the machine. Feel free to try it and see if it works for you.

✎ The base panel might be longer than the side panel. That's okay. If it extends beyond the side panel, simply trim it.

Sew the second side panel to the base panel in the same way. It's important to clip the seam allowance close to the edge afterward so the curve can form nicely. Be careful not to cut into the seam itself! The inner part of the basket is finished and can be set aside for now.

Easter Basket Outer Part

Now that you've sewn the basket lining, you're ready to tackle the outer fabric. You will need:

2x Pattern Piece A (Outer Fabric/Side Panel)

1x Pattern Piece B (Outer Fabric/Base)

2x Pattern Piece A (Full Fleece)

1x Pattern Piece B (Full Fleece)

Before you start sewing, iron the fusible fleece onto the wrong side of the pattern pieces. The outer part is sewn in essentially the same way as the inner part of the basket. The only difference is the piping, which I added. I simply couldn't do without it; my piping obsession continues! Of course, if you prefer, you can sew the basket without piping and skip the corresponding steps.

Attaching the Piping

Pin the piping to the seam allowance of the two long edges of the base (right side of the fabric facing up). The piping should point inwards. Sew the piping close to the edge of the piping (yellow seam). This seam will later serve as a guide when sewing the pattern pieces together.

The outer cup is sewn in the same way as the inner part. Don't be intimidated by the batting! Sewing is easier if you turn the bottom piece (with the piping seam) towards you. Use the (yellow) piping seam as a guide and sew just to the left of it. Again, carefully clip the seam allowance.

Attaching bias tape to the inner piece

Before sewing the inner piece to the outer piece, I'll show you how to attach the bias tape. The right side of the fabric of the basket's inner piece is facing outwards. In the first photo, you can see how the bias tape is folded and pinned. Once you've secured it all the way around with pins, you can cut the bias tape and sew it into a ring with a straight stitch (photo 2). Now, sew the bias tape close to the right of the outer (unfolded) fold.

Sew the outer and inner pieces together

In the next step, we'll get much closer to our goal: Place the inner and outer baskets inside each other, wrong sides together. Fold the bias tape over both pieces to the outside. It's best to iron before pinning and sewing to ensure a nice, clean bias tape edge.

Stitch the bias tape all around, close to the edge.

Sewing the Handle

2x Pattern Piece C
1x Pattern Piece C (Fully Fleece)

Now all that's missing is the handle for your Easter basket. Sew the handle pieces together, right sides facing, leaving a turning opening along one of the long edges. Turn the handle right side out through the opening. Shape the edges and curves with an iron. Topstitch close to the edge all the way around.