How to make fabric baskets (with just 1 fat quarter of fabric)

Spruce up your living room or sewing space with this quick-make DIY project to make using just 1 fat quarter of fabric.

Keep your sewing patterns in one place and brighten up your craft space with Jennie Jones’ simple fabric basket pattern. Here’s how…

How to make fabric baskets: step by step

You will need:

• Fabric (For the basket) (1 fat quarter)
• Fabric (Cotton fabric for the lining) (46x46cm (18x18in))
• Iron-on-interfacing (46x46cm (18x18in))
• Bias binding (1 metre (1yd))
• Basic sewing kit

Notes

Use a 1cm (³⁄₈in) seam allowance throughout.

Cutting the fabric

Step 1

Cut your fat quarter into a 46x46cm (18x18in) square and fold into quarters.   

Step 2

Find the centre point of the bottom of a sewing pattern and line up the folded side of the fabric with this centre point. You then need to pin a line 1cm (3/8in) outside this for the seam allowance.

Step 3

Repeat this to pin a line on the other folded side of the fabric, again centering your pattern against the fold.

Step 4

Fold your fabric diagonally to ensure your pin lines are centred, then draw two lines following the pin lines, making an L shape on the folded side.   

Step 5

Cut your fabric out along both of the drawn lines to use for the box outer.

Cutting the lining and interfacing

Step 1

Place your lining on top of your opened out box outer and pin into place.

Step 2

Cut around the fabric shape to make the lining the same size and shape.

Step 3

Repeat this to cut the interfacing.

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Learn how to make sewing pattern weights, and your pattern pieces will lie nice and securely on your fabric!

Making the box outer

Step 1

Open the fabric out and place the interfacing on the wrong side (WS) with the glue side down.

Step 2

Press the interfacing firmly into place. This will help to stiffen the sides of your fabric box.

Step 3

Fold the fabric in half with right sides (RS) together so the opposite edges are touching and pin then stitch together.

Step 4

Repeat this on the remaining two sides to make a box.

Lining the box

Step 1

Join the four corners of the lining fabric together in the same way as for the box outer, pinning then stitching together.

Step 2

Place the lining inside the outer with WS facing and match the seams at the top. Pin the lining to the fabric around the top edge.   

Step 3

Stitch together around the top using a machine zigzag.

Binding the top edge

Step 1

Fold the bias binding around the top edge to enclose the raw edges of the outer and lining.

Step 2

Turn one short end of the binding under to overlap on top of the other, then topstitch into place all the way around. Now you can organise your sewing patterns neatly inside.

Turn a fat quarter into a practical storage solution

This project is ideal for beginners and a great way of creating storage easily and cheaply. Gather your fat quarters (or use off-cuts from larger sewing projects) to make your baskets, and don’t be afraid to experiment with size! Large baskets can come in handy, too.

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Now you’ve made your baskets, keep your shelves neat and tidy with our DIY bookends.

Jennie Jones

Jennie Jones discovered sewing when she had children and her work is featured regularly in Simply Sewing magazine. Her Fast Fat Quarter designs show makers how to craft modern gifts, accessories and homewares using just one or two pieces of fabric. She shares a mix of handmade loveliness with a bit of vintage thrown in on her Instagram @thestitchinghut. Jenny harbors a fairly serious fabric buying habit

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