How to Make Quick and Easy Storage Baskets in Any Size you want!

A Step-by-step Tutorial on How to make Storage Baskets for your Crafts-Sewing, Knitting, Crochet in ANY SIZE you want!

Oh how we crafters love to start new projects before finishing older ones! Its fun to bounce between them when things begin to seem boring. I know that is the case with me and I am not ashamed about it at all! Proud Phd(projects half done) in crafts I have got :)

Also we get busy in making stuff for friends and family, trying out new projects and finishing orders(if we sell) on time that we sometimes forget about our own necessities. When I used to crochet and knit multiple projects, they used to end up in random and mismatched plastic bags and bins. Same was for sewing.

First I tried to keep them in clear plastic zipper bags, each project in separate bag, but things went out of control when there was a large amount of materials needed. They were too small to hold everything. It has been more than a year that I have set up my sewing space but there was no dedicated or organized space. I felt overwhelmed every time I needed to work.

So I thought to buy something, but the size I needed proved to be a problem. Either the baskets were  smaller or larger but not in exact size. So I gave up that idea and decided to make them myself.

I was scouring the internet for easy basket ideas but as soon as I read "Pellon" or something fancy-schmancy stuff required to make baskets sturdy, I ran away! We all know its not easy to find everything everywhere. And when I decided to order it from abroad, the shipping charges made me cringe! So being the "Jogaroo"(read it in urdu) that I am, I looked here and there in my house to find a cheap and sturdy alternative. And my eyes landed on Felt. Yes! Acrylic, Crafting Felt!

I know, I know, you all would not have felt hanging around in your house but it is very easy to find. Most stationary shops have it. Its cheaper by the meter/yard and comes in all sorts of colors. The felt that I have used is bit stiff, so the baskets will keep their shape. The other important thing is fabric-be it plain or printed, its up to you. If you can't find the stiff felt, the soft ones will do the job too. Just use thicker fabric with it.

Lets get started, shall we?

Things you will need:

⦁ Fabric
⦁ Felt
⦁ Scissors
⦁ Wonder clips or Pins
⦁ Sewing thread
⦁ Ribbon (optional)
⦁ Sewing Machine
⦁ Paper, Pencil and Ruler to draft a pattern

Pattern Drafting

I am going to teach you how to draft a pattern for a basket that you are planning to place in a dedicated spot. I took measurements of a shelf where I am planning to keep them. You will need exact measurements of:

1. Length (measure space back to front for your basket)
2. Width (how wide it is going to be)
3. Height (how much higher the sides will be)

Here I am showing you the measurements that I took from the shelf.
Length = 14 inches
Width = 10.5 inches
Height = 7.5 inches

For Base of Basket

On a large sheet of paper, draw a rectangle(or square if your length and width are same) using the final measurements below.
Add 1 inch seam allowance in length and width, so it is:

L = 14 + 1 = 15 inches
W = 10.5 + 1 = 11.5 inches

Sides (longer sides of rectangle)

Draw rectangles on both sides(left and right) of base, using last measurements.  Add 1 inch seam allowance in length and 1 and half inches for seam and hem in height.

L = 14 + 1 = 15 inches
H = 7.5 + 1.5 = 9 inches

Front and Back Sections

Draw rectangles on remaining two sides (top and bottom sides) of base. Add 1 inch in width for seam allowance and 1 and half inches in height for seam and hem. Use following measurements:

W = 10.5 + 1 = 11.5 inches
H = 7.5 + 1.5 = 9 inches

Your pattern will look more or less like this depending on your measurements.

If you are having any trouble, feel free to ask me in comments below. I will gladly reply you.

Cutting

Cut out the finished pattern following outer lines only.

For felt, pin this pattern up on felt and cut as many pieces you want to make. I made 4 baskets with this.

For fabric, fold the pattern 1 inches from all 4 sides and then pin it up on fabric. So the fabric pieces will be an inch smaller than felt pieces. (check out next photo to see how it looks like)

Prepping for Sewing

Place felt on flat surface(table or floor). Place fabric piece on it with wrong side on felt and right side facing you. Match the inside edges. Secure them both with pins on outer edge.

Red dots = inside edges
Blue dots = outside edges
Yellow dot = corner

Hold two inner sides together with felt in between and fabric outside, secure with clips or pins. Do this on all 4 inside edges.

Start Sewing

Thread your machine with color of your choice.  With half inch seam allowance, start stitching from corner, back-stitch and sew til the end. Repeat this for other 3 sides. Now you have what we call "Exposed Seams"

Below I have demonstrated how to finish these "Exposed Seams" using 4 different methods. Use any one of these that you find comfortable to work with.

1. Serger/Overlocker

If you own a serger/overlocker, just serge the seams and you are good to go. Don't forget to knot threads at corners and clip them.Follow same procedure with remaining seams.

2. Ziz-Zag Machine

If you don't have a serger but have a machine that can do zig-zag stitch, its great news. All you have to do is trim the seams to quarter of an inch.

Select zig-zag stitch on your machine. Zig-zag on edge of seam, start sewing from corner of basket, back-stitch and sew all the way.

Follow same procedure with remaining seams.

3. Ribbon-Covered Seam

If you don't have zig-zag machine or do not like thready seams;) you can use ribbon to finish these off. First trim the seams to quarter of an inch. Take 1 inch wide Grosgrain ribbon, measure your seam length and multiply it with 4, add 2 inches to that. Cut a long piece of ribbon to that final measurement.

Fold the ribbon lengthwise in half, matching edges, press it with iron to make a crease in center.

 Cut ribbon into 4 equal pieces.

Before sewing, fold half inch ribbon to inside and secure it to corner of basket with clip, making sure that the crease is on edge of seam.

Place 3 or 4 clips on entire length of seam.

Start sewing from corner, back-stitch to secure. Sew close to ribbon edge.

Follow same procedure with remaining seams. Clip off extra.

4. Binding Tape

If you want to take your basket to next level, you can use fabric binding tape to finish seams off. It will look pretty as well as professional. Straight Binding Tape tutorial

 First trim the seams to quarter of an inch.

Measure your seams just like I explained in Ribbon section. Take out final measurement and cut tape length according to that. Cut tape into 4 pieces. Fold one end half inch inside and give it a good press.

Attach it to seam at corner with clip, making sure tape's central crease is on the edge of seam.

Secure the rest of tape with clips on seam.

Sew with straight stitch, beginning from corner, just on the edge of tape.

Remember to back-stitch in beginning.  Follow same procedure with remaining seams. Clip off extra.

Time to Finish/Hem the Basket

To make sure your basket's finished height is accurate, measure it from corner and mark the original height measurement with pencil on all 4 sides. Trim off the corners to reduce bulk.

Now following that marks, fold the hem outside of basket so that felt is showing on edge.  Secure hem with clips. Make sure the seams are facing in one direction. I have turned the seams towards center of front and back pieces.

As the basket is stiff, so we will be sewing it from inside. Place your basket under machine's foot, with straight stitch hem all around with 1 inch away from edge.

Trim off the remaining felt neatly.

Here you go! Your perfect basket to keep your stuff in place. Now I can store all my fabrics and notions neatly according to projects. Ready to go whenever my mood strikes! :)

My first Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to make Quick, Easy Storage Baskets that you can make in any size that you need. Time to make these and sort your stuff for Easy Access, Proper Storage and Less Visual Clutter :)

Happy Stitching!