See how to sew a basket with a fold-over top you can use for just everything. Free pattern in 3 sizes and so cute!
These useful handmade storage baskets can be used in any room around the house; keep items together in a safe place, perfect for baby items, children's toys, make-up, bathroom organizer, bobbin thread, and so much more.
Do you want an ad-free, printable copy of this online tutorial? Find it here for just $3. You won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. ------ Or get the BUNDLE with ALL the Printable Tutorials - current and future ones!
You can even sew a bunch of these beautiful fabric pumpkins and place them in a basket like this one, and you've got perfect fall decor! Scroll down to get measurements for 3 basket sizes.
Use this tutorial to sew a basket to turn an easy project into a super-duper-completely-easy one. Want to try it out? Let me show you how to make a stack of baskets so quick and easy you'll never want to do it any other way!
The smaller size can store your reusable face wash pads if you like. (See how to make fabric makeup remover pads here)
The way these easy baskets are made is using the same technique as this pretty tote project. (Actually, you can use it on any box-formed item you sew!) Also, they are part of the SewPretty HOME series - it's free:
Join the FREE 7-part email course and make 6 beautiful items for your home! You'll love it!
Simple. Easy. Quick. A perfect beginner project. Promise. Want to think about it? Save it to Pinterest and come back later to sew a basket or two:
How to Sew A Basket Video
Let's get sewing. And I've even got a video for you. Just sit back and relax. Then scroll down for measurements - or see step by step photo tutorial too.
A few of my favorite features of these baskets: they are firm, their measurements can be easily adjusted to the size you need.
And - nesting! Make all sizes, they can be nested! You'll love to see the smaller or larger baskets to nest together!
Cutting Instructions For Sewing A Basket
- cut 2 pieces from Outer fabric in the desired size
- cut 2 pieces from Lining fabric in the desired size
- cut 2 pieces from Fusible fleece (smaller by an inch in length AND width)
- cut 2 pieces from stiff FUSIBLE interfacing (smaller by an inch in length AND width)
What Size To Cut
There are 3 sizes. Let's mark them as sizes Small, Medium, Large
| Finished Size | CUTTING DIMENSIONS for fabric (interfacing in the brackets) | |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 5" by 5 ½" | 11" by 9" (interfacing 10" by 8") |
| Medium | 7" by 5 ½" | 15" by 12" (interfacing 14" by 11") |
| Large | 10 ½" by 12" | 22" by 18" (interfacing 21" by 17") |
To make the smallest version, you'll need 2 fat quarters of fabric (half yard). To make the largest one, you'll need 4 fat quarters or 1 yard. Now, let's sew!
How To Sew A Basket - Instructions
The seam allowance for this project is ½" inch (1.3cm).
Step 1 - Cut Fabric and Interfacing
Select your desired basket size and cut fabric, fusible fleece, and stiff fusible interfacing, using the chart above. Interfacing and fleece pieces will all be smaller by one inch to keep the seams clean. The seam allowance for this project is ½" inch (1.3cm).
Step 2 - Cut Corners for Basket bottom
Cut 2 corners from the bottom of each of the 4 fabric pieces: place them horizontally and cut a square from each lower corner. See the chart below to find your dimensions.
Corner Cutting Chart:
| For Size: | Cut Square From Bottom Corners: |
| Small | 2 ½" by 2 ½" |
| Medium | 3 ½" by 3 ½" |
| Large | 5 ¼" by 5 ¼" |
Do the same with your fusible interfacing and fusible fleece pieces - same corner dimensions, despite the fact that the interfacing+ fusible fleece pieces are all smaller by one inch.
Step 3 - Apply Fusible Fleece and Stiff Interfacing
Press fusible fleece to the back of Lining pieces and fuse stiff interfacing to Outer pieces. In this tutorial, the prints here are my Outer and the solids are my Lining.
I keep my diy ironing board close by, to make pressing my small projects a breeze. I don't even need to get up to press, as it's a handy tabletop version.
Step 4 - Sewing Step A
Using a ½" seam allowance, sew the top of Lining and Outer. You'll make two sets. Press the seam open (do not press directly over fusible fleece, it doesn't take direct heat well):
Step 5 - Assemble The Basket
Place the pieces together, so the right sides of Lining pieces will face each other, and the right sides of Outer pieces will face each other too. Again using a ½" seam allowance, stitch the sides, the top and the bottom, leaving out the corer areas. Also leave a few inches unsewn in the bottom of Lining (notice the two green arrows)
Step 6 - Box the Corners
Now you’ll need to box all four corners that are still open. Fold the corner flat matching up the two side seams. The side seams should lie directly one over the other (notice the two arrows). Then stitch over the (blue) line using the same ½" seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to reinforce it.
Step 7 - Turn Right Side Out
Once you've got all 4 corners boxed, turn the whole thing right side out through the opening you left in lining bottom. All that's left is stitch the opening closed and...
Step 8 - Press
Press well to achieve that neat look. I love to use my DIY sleeve roll - it makes pressing bags and pouches a piece of cake, every single time! You can use my FREE TEMPLATE to make one for yourself.
Bonus tips For sewing baskets
If you have no fusible fleece available, you can use batting, or in some cases even the inexpensive crafting felt. Only when you don't plan to have the basket washed, as crafting felt won't behave well when laundered.
When using non-fusible interfacing, you'll need to cut the interfacing the same size as fabric - and not smaller, as the instructions above suggest. I usually use a zigzag stitch to baste it to the fabric and only later, once the item has been sewn together, I'd trim some of it from the seam allowance to reduce bulk. I used batting to make the large basket:
Remember: the stiffer the interfacing, the stronger the basket. You (almost) never want a slouchy basket!
Also, this interfacing guide for beginners will make your (interfacing-related) sewing life so much easier! And your baskets prettier:
Need more info on interfacing? Visit my easy Interfacing Guide For Beginners.
Super useful for all your future projects, I promise!
Also please note, washable interfacing or interlining, like using cotton batting will make it even better for something you wash often, say, a bread basket. The mid-sized basket would really make a pretty breadbasket for the holiday table, what do you think? (And now that I mention this, we will be making our own bread like this one soon again!)
If you like baskets and home storage, you'll love these two patterns from my pattern shop too:
HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS BASKET tutorial?
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LeAnn
Hello friend. Your tutorial was outstanding. Detailed and organized. I can’t wait to try it. LeAnn
Laurie
So, I'm kinda confused. I watched the video and everything and at the end of the tutorial after you turn the basket right side out and press the lining it shows the lining totally inside the basket. How do you get the cute little cuff of lining on the outside of the basket? Oh, wait!! Do you just fold down the top of the basket? Duh? But how do you make it look so nice and neat? Do you tack down the fold or anything?
Damjana
Laurie hi, a great observation, yes I simply fold the top of the basket down - this makes it not just prettier but also strengthens the top rim. My only secret to make that cuff look neat is pressing - and pressing well. It always works! Enjoy,
Emma
So many cute projects you share with us. Thank you!!
Kathy
These are adorable! If you are using directional fabric, which way should you cut?
Thank you!
monica
lovely baskets!!! I understood there is a video, where can I find it please.
thank you for sharing!
Monica
Damjana
Monica hi,
the video is here, in the post, scroll down to the Heading Sew A Basket VIDEO. Enjoy!
M Robertshaw
Question
I’ll have to purchase some fusible fleece online. Which product would,you recommended? I’ve never used it before.
Damjana
Marion hi,
one of my absolute favorites is the Vilene H 640, but it can depend on what you are sewing. Feel free to take a look at a few interfacing products compared here - beginner-friendly notes, scroll down to the "Fusible Fleece" tips. Enjoy,
Damjana
Kelly
Can you use flannel to make these?? I'm very excited to give it a try. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Damjana
Kelly hi,
sure you can sew flannel baskets too! Just make sure you prewash your flannel as it will shrink more than quilting cotton. And feel free to take a look at this flannel sewing guide:
Enjoy!
Damjana
Kerry
Just finished my first basket. Slightly adjusted the measurements but it still looks just as good. I might have to make some more and fill with toiletries as Christmas presents 🙂
Damjana
Kerry hi, I'm glad my tutorial helped you make your diy gifts! Happy holidays,
Damjana
Diana
What is the beautiful fabric that you used for the basket?
Damjana
Diana hi,
and thanks for asking, the fabric I use in this tutorial is from the Hampton Garden collection, soo pretty! The fabric designer is Lila Tueller. When she makes something, it's gorgeous, so I'm always on the lookout for her new collections. Happy sewing!
Damjana
Delia Vogel
I love these baskets. So pretty and useful.
Damjana
Thank you, Delia.
Rosemary B
Thank you for sharing these patterns, Damjana.
I have made a basket like these some years ago, with this fold over. They are very stable and nice.
Thank you for the tutorial. I think I will make many more now because I have fabric that I just want to use up.
Then I can give baskets to friends I love
Thank you dear friend
Damjana
Dear Rosemary,
so kind of you, thank you.
xoxo,
Damjana
Kelly
Can you tell me what number or brand of stiff fusible interfacing you use?
Thanks!
Damjana
Kelly hi,
I did not us a branded stiff interfacing here, it was a bit stiffer than Wovenfuse 2, close to Vilene S320 (but without the dots), enarly as stiff as Pellon Decor Bond. Our local fabric shop also carries fusible canvas which is not a thing online, but is basically a layer of canvas backed by a glue layer. You can simply use buckram with some Odif 606 (which is a permanent glue spray) I'm not sure if it helps, but should provide some guidance.
Kelly
OH MY GOSH!!! I made this basket twice. First it was the small one. I used an upcycled pillowcase from thrift. I always make a tester so I can get the mistakes out. I made the medium one for my pastor to put his treats in at church. I used fabric remnants. I can see getting really good at these baskets. Thank you for this tutorial. Your directions are easy to see. But one thing is that although I perfectly cut and measure the fabrics, they never line up. Is there something I'm doing incorrectly? And I'm not sure also if you stitch on top of the interfacing or right next to it? I never have enough fabric to gather for the corners.
Damjana
Kelly hi,
a great idea to use fabric remnants and upcycled fabric for the baskets - this way, you can make a lot of them at basically zero price. Regarding the fabric pieces not lining up, it's hard to say without seeing any image - but the first thing that comes to mind is maybe to check if you used the seam allowances as instructed, or are they different? I generally sew next to the interfacing layer when it's cut on the seam allowance - really close to it. With every new sewn basket, these will get better looking. But bottom line, enjoy the process. Damjana