DIY Fabric Basket Tutorial - Upcycled Table Runner to Easter Basket
Welcome to the new trishstitched.com! Over the past year I’ve been working on my new site here on squarespace and it has been a journey! There is still a lot of work to do, but I’m so proud of how it is turning out so far!
Today’s post is hopefully the first of many projects that will come with a youtube tutorial! This project has been on my mind for well over a year and it’s nice to finally have it done and ready to share!
A few years ago, I used a lemon print table runner to make a basket as my studio ‘trash can’ and it was an easy, quick and usable project that I wanted to do again.
Last year I came across this embroidered table runner on Poshmark and thought it would be the cutest Easter Basket for my daughter. I didn’t have the time last year to sew it up, but now it is done and filmed and ready to share!
What you will need:
Table Runner (any length can work, but the longer your runner, the larger you can make your basket/can make two)
Foam (I used Pellon 76 Flex Foam, but you can get a variety of sew in, or one side fusible foam)
1” wide cotton webbing, or pre-made handles. (1+ yards, depending on how long you want your handles, I purchased mine from Penny Supplies on Etsy)
Other supplies include sewing machine, iron and ironing board, lightweight interfacing (if table runner does not include), seam ripper, thread, scissors, pins and/or clips, fabric marking tool, piece of paper to make circle bottom, ruler and tape measure.
First, seam rip the table runner open, separating the lining and main fabric. Set aside any decorative elements, like tassels, you can choose to use them later!
Iron both fabrics. My table runner already had a layer of lightweight interfacing on both pieces, if your runner does not include, I do recommend adding it on.
Next, measure the height of the basket. I wanted mine to be as high as my border design. Add seam allowance to this measurement. I am using a seam allowance of ½”. Measure this height across and cut.
I cut 1” off the bottom of my design to make my basket a little shorter while keeping the full design intact. This can also be helpful if your raw edge isn’t completely even.
Next, cut the same measurement from another main piece, this will be the back of the basket. Because I am working with a 72” long table runner, I have enough material to make two baskets, but you can also use the border print on both front and back of the basket. Cut the fabric.
With right sides together, stitch the front and back of the basket along one side seam. Again, I am working with ½” seam allowance. Press the seam open.
The next step is optional but I find it helpful along the way. Baste a half inch stitch around the fabric. This makes it easier to place the foam and can be a guide for stitches in later sewing steps.
Next I am measuring my current piece of fabric to cut out some foam. I am cutting foam 1” less than my fabric. My fabric measures 13.25” x 27” so my foam is 12.25” x 26”.
I find foam is best for this project to easily stand the basket up, batting can be used, but the basket won’t hold it’s shape as well.
Line up the foam onto the wrong side of the fabric, keeping it within the basting stitching. Stitch in the ditch on the seam allowance to hold foam in place. Baste the foam to the fabric, stitching the foam ½” in on the fabric. (If you have spray adhesive, that can work to keep the sides of the foam in place while sewing.)
Next, stitch the other side seam, with the right sides together.
Next cut out the basket lining. Re-measure the basket, from fold to the raw edge. Since my basket height does not exceed the fabric width, I can cut one continuous lining piece. If you are making a larger basket, you may have to cut two pieces of lining and stitch together, just like our main fabric. If you need to cut two pieces, be sure to include seam allowance in your measurements!
My basket measures 27” x 13.25”.
Fold the lining right sides together and stitch.
Next measure the bottom circle of the basket. Find the ¼ length of half the basket by measuring half, then half again.
I find it helpful to use a fabric or fashion tape measure, where you can fold and measure each quarter. Since you may end up with a 3/8, or 5/8 measurement, it’s easier for me to get a sewing measurement with a tape measure than doing the math. Check out the youtube video to see how.
My folded basket is 13.5”.
13.5 / 2 = 6.75
6.75 / 2 = 3.375 (3 3/8”)
To this measurement, add 1”.
Find the center on a large enough piece of paper, and mark the measurement continually around the center to make your circle. (In this photo I started with my original measurement and then added the extra 1”, but you can add the 1” to your measurement from the beginning of your circle.)
Use the full template on both the main fabric and the lining. The foam will be cut minus our ½” seam allowance.
Again, baste a ½” around the main fabric circle before basting on the foam. For the bottom of the bag, stitch the foam in place. Since it is the bottom of the bag, you won’t see this stitch but it will keep the foam from moving around over time.
After the foam is stitched onto the bottom, pin or mark four even points of the circle. You can do this by folding the circle in half for the first two points, then fold on those points to get the next two.
These points will line up on the basket as the two side seams, and the halfway points.
With right sides together, match marks or pins, and pin around the circle bottom.
Repeat those steps for the lining, making sure to pin right sides together. Stitch with ½” seam allowance on both lining and main. I recommend having a lot of pins to hold fabric in place and sewing slowly around the circle. Stopping and adjusting your material every so often.
Next, cut out the handles. I’m using 1” cotton webbing, and cutting my handles at 15.5” long.
You can make them longer or shorter, you can also use pre-made handles that can stand up on the sides, for easier basket pick up. Or you can leave the handles off entirely! To get my measurement, I just held up some strapping to the basket edge and decided which length I liked.
On each side seam, mark 2” away from the seam. This is where the straps will sit. Baste them in place.
With the basket wrong sides out, insert lining right sides out, so both right sides are together.
Pin or clip right sides together, and leave a few inches free on the back of the basket. Stitch together with ½” seam allowance.
Using the opening on the basket, turn fabric right sides out. Fold lining into basket.
Gently press seam down, and fold remaining seam allowance. If you made a basting stitch in the beginning, you can use that as your fold point to close the basket. Topstitch around basket top to close the seam. Stitch under the handles to keep them moving freely. Remove any basting stitches on the body of the bag, remember you can keep the bottom stitching in place.
Now your basket is complete and ready to be filled up!
If you had decorative tassels on your runner, you can use them in making a name tag, or you can stitch it onto the finished basket!
I love how this fabric basket turned out, and I’m already thinking about future versions! This would make a cute, re-usable gift bag for Christmas, and it can be part of the gift itself! And when fall comes around I would love to make a Halloween one for my daughter to trick or treat with!