Quilted Cotton Storage Baskets

Item # 452410568P24
Advanced Varies

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

  • 2yds Cotton fabric: main fabric print (A)
  • 3/4yds Cotton fabric: contrast fabric print (B)
  • 1 1/2yds Flex-Foam 1-sided fusible stabilizer
  • 1 package Hi-loft batting: Twin Size 72"x 90"
  • Basting spray
  • Fabric clips
  • Fabric scissors or rotary cutter with mat
  • Disappearing fabric marking pen
  • Sewing machine & sewing notions
  • Walking foot
  • Dowel
  • Iron
  • Optional: No-Slip grip gloves

  • MEASUREMENTS:
    • Short Basket: 14"x 15"
    • Tall Basket: 14"x 18"

DIRECTIONS:

Click on "GET PATTERNS" to download and print patterns.

  1. Cutting:

    • Main Fabric A
      • Basket Sides - cut 1 piece 34"x 50" (short) or 40"x 50" (tall).
      • Bottom- cut 2 of large circle template (16 1/2" diameter) both sizes.
      • Bias Tape - cut 2 pieces 2"x 44"

    • Contrast Fabric B
      • Cut 4 rectangles 12"x 27" for handles. These panels will be cut down using the pattern during the construction of the handles in a later step.

    • Batting
      • Basket Sides - Cut 3 pieces 17"x 50" (short) or 20"x 50" (tall)
      • Bottom - Cut 3 of large circle template (16 1/2" diameter) both sizes.

    • Flex-Foam Interfacing
      • Trace 2 of handle patterns to the smooth side of the foam. Cut only the outer edge.

  2. Quilt sides and bottom of basket:

    • Use basting spray to adhere the three layers of side panel batting together so the batting is triple the thickness. Repeat for circle pieces.
    • Wrong sides together, fold the main fabric A side panel in half to 17"x 50" (short)/20"x 50" (tall).
    • Spray baste and adhere the batting piece in between the folded side panel.
    • Spray baste the circle batting, sandwiching it between the 2 circles of fabric A.
    • Use the zigzag quilting pattern and fabric pen to mark both panels for quilting. For the side panel, start the upper points of the zigzag pattern about 1" below the fold. For the circle, start in the center and work out toward edges.
    • Quilt along the lines as marked using a walking foot. For the side panel, start with the line closest to the fold. For the circle, start in the center and work out toward the edges. Begin each line of stitching from the same end of the pieces so that any shifting or puckering happens evenly.
    • Once panels are quilted, trim side panels to 15 1/2"x 46" (short) and 18 1/2"x 46" (tall). Trim the circle to the smaller circle pattern (15" diameter).

  3. Making the handles:

    • Fuse the Flex-Foam pieces to the wrong side of 2 fabric B pieces, following the manufacturer's directions.
    • Match the Flex-Foam fused fabric to the remaining fabric rectangles, right sides together.
    • Using the traced pattern on the foam as a guide, sew the handle shape using 1/4" seam allowance. Leave the bottom edge open for turning.
    • Trim away excess fabric so that 1/4" seam allowance remains. Trim back foam close to the seam to reduce bulk, being careful not to cut through stitches or into cotton.
    • Snip notches into the seam allowance at curves, especially the inner curve. This will help the curves lay flat and maintain their shape when turned right side out.
    • Turn handles right side out through the open bottoms. Use a dowel to help push the fabric through the narrow opening. See hacks for an additional idea.
    • Press handles flat, using steam and fingers to help push out the seams and shape the curves.
    • Quilt the handles with 1/4" spaced lines following the curve of the handle.

  4. Sewing handles to side:

    • Determine which side of the quilted side panel will be the right side (outward facing). Lay the quilted panel right side up on the work surface with the folded edge at the top.
    • Mark 2" in from the left edge at the top and bottom of the quilted panel. This is the alignment mark for the first handle.
    • Match the inside edge of the left leg of one handle to the 2" marks. Pin along this edge.
    • Lay the rest of the handle flat on the quilted panel and pin in place. The left most edge of the handle will extend past the edge of the quilted panel, this will be resolved later once the side has been sewn into a loop.
    • Mark the placement of the 2nd handle by measuring 13 1/4" from the rightmost edge of the first handle. Align the left edge of the 2nd handle with this mark and pin in place.
    • Sew 7 sides of the handles, leaving the leftmost edge of handle 1 loose.

  5. Prepare the Bias Tape:

    • Connect bias tape by matching short ends, right sides together, perpendicularly with ends extending 1/4" past the overlap (see diagram).
    • Sew along the diagonal as marked to connect the 2 strips. Trim seam allowance to 1/4" and press seam open.
    • Press strip in half wrong sides together.
    • Fold raw edge in toward the center fold and press again, forming double fold bias tape.

  6. Constructing the basket:

    • Pin back the loose edge of the handle so it is out of the way.
    • Curve the quilted side panel into a loop matching the short edges together without overlapping.
    • Sew the 2 edges together using a wide zigzag stitch.
    • Trim a length of bias tape to 2" longer than the height of the basket.
    • Place the bias tape over the zigzag seam on the inside of the basket to hide the stitching and raw edges. Have 1" extend past the top and bottom. Wrap this excess over the edges to the front of the basket. Topstitch both sides of the bias tape.
    • Unpin the handle and lay it flat on the basket side. It should cover the other side of the zigzag seam. Topstitch the final side of the handle.
    • Turn the basket inside out so the handles are on the inside.
    • Pin the bottom edge of the tube to the bottom circle panel. Sew around the circle using 1/2" seam allowance.
    • Trim the seam to 1/4". Finish the seam with a zigzag stitch, serger or with the remaining piece of bias tape.
    • Turn basket right side out.

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