estimated reading time: 13 min

Sewing a storage basket: 3 tutorials with patterns (incl. tips & tricks)

24.12.2020 by Sabine Schmidt

Utensilo nähen: 3 Anleitungen mit Schnittmuster (inkl. Tipps & Tricks)

What do I need for that?

Sew a fabric basket

Freebook · PDF
To the sewing pattern →

Materials & Details

Cutting mat^*

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H630

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*

Woven cotton is a classic, non-stretch cotton fabric. It's comfortable to wear, relatively lightweight and at the same time nicely stable.

The surface is usually smooth or slightly matte and feels natural and soft. Depending on the quality, it can be thinner for light clothing or a little firmer for sturdier projects.

Woven cotton is really easy to sew: it hardly slips, is easy to cut and is great for beginners too.

It's perfect for blouses, shirts, dresses, skirts or for decor such as cushions, pouches and patchwork.

In short: simple, versatile and a true all-rounder for lots of sewing ideas

Linen^*

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Linen is a natural fabric with a slightly firm, textured feel. At first it often feels a bit rough, but it gets softer with every wash and becomes really lovely on the skin.

Typical of linen: it is super airy and breathable – perfect for warm days. The fabric looks rather loose and relaxed, often has a slightly irregular appearance, and that is exactly what gives it its charm.

Linen creases pretty quickly, but that is simply part of it and even looks intentional. It is ideal for airy clothing such as dresses, blouses, trousers or shirts.

In short: natural, cooling and wonderfully easy-going with a casual look.

Canvas^*

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H200

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Canvas is a very sturdy, densely woven fabric that feels really stable. It's usually made of cotton or a cotton blend and is made to withstand quite a lot.

The surface is rather firm and sometimes slightly rough, but can be a little smoother depending on the finish. Canvas has hardly any stretch, but keeps its shape nicely.

Sewing it can take some effort because it's thick and stable – but in return you get a very long-lasting result. Fraying is easy to keep under control with the right technique.

Canvas is perfect for bags, backpacks, seat cushions, decor or even sturdy jackets.

In short: strong, long-lasting and ideal for anything that needs to be really stable.

Cork fabric^*

Machine:: Backstitch functionStraight stitch

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Cork fabric is a very special natural material made from the bark of the cork oak. It looks like leather but is much lighter and completely vegan.

The surface is soft, slightly textured and often has a somewhat “wood-like” pattern – every piece is a little one-off. Cork fabric is also water-repellent and really sturdy.

It is pretty easy to sew because it does not fray. Just avoid using too many pins, as they can leave holes.

Cork fabric is perfect for bags, purses, pouches, home decor or special accessories.

In short: natural, light and a stylish eye-catcher with a unique feel.

Oilskin^*

Machine:: Backstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Style-Vil and Style-Vil fix

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

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Oilskin is a sturdy fabric with a waxed or oiled surface that makes it water-repellent. It feels slightly waxy and often has a cool, slightly matte look.

Typical of oilskin: it's pretty stable but still flexible. Over time it develops a beautiful, slightly “worn-in” look – that's all part of it and makes the fabric special.

Sewing it takes a little patience because the surface doesn't glide quite as smoothly under the presser foot. It doesn't like pins much either – better to work with clips.

Oilskin is perfect for bags, backpacks, jackets or anything that's allowed to get wet outdoors.

In short: weatherproof, sturdy and with a really cool outdoor character.

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Sewing a fabric basket: You can find quick instructions and a free pattern for simple fabric baskets in many shapes and sizes in this blog post.

The most important things at a glance

In this post, I will show you how you can easily sew round, square, and rectangular fabric baskets (3 variations in different sizes)
Fabric baskets are perfect beginner projects because they are sewn using only straight stitches
You can download the patterns for the fabric baskets here in the post for free
The fabric baskets are made from woven fabrics such as cotton, canvas, or linen
The sturdier the fabric, the more stable the basket
You can also make these baskets very easily from fabric scraps
Sewing time: approx. 30 min.

Whether round or square: It's all here!

Sewing fabric baskets is huge fun, especially for sewing beginners! Why? Because you see results so quickly! Although these lovely fabric baskets are simple to sew, they are suitable for 1,001 storage ideas.

And the best part is: with my free fabric basket pattern, you can whip them up in no time. Even from fabric scraps! In the instructions for the round fabric basket, I show you how it works.

Would you like to sew a large basket? Perfect! Print out the pattern for the largest of the three sizes and get started. The sewing technique is the same for all three sizes.

By the way: You can also find instructions for a hanging basket and a Japanese Furoshiki bag (which is a type of drawstring basket) here on the blog!

Why should I sew a fabric basket?

What is round or square and good for everything? That's right! Fabric baskets are THE secret weapon against clutter and bits and bobs flying around. And because they are so flexible, you can really fit a lot into them.

They are not just suitable for storage in the bathroom, as organizers on the desk, as a fabric box, or as a collection container for thread and fabric scraps next to the sewing machine: fabric baskets also work wonderfully as drawer organizers! The large rectangular baskets, which you can whip up in a flash with the free pattern, are particularly well-suited for this.

By the way, you can also easily sew a drawstring basket. Feel free to click over to my instructions for the Japanese rice bag!

How long does it take to sew a fabric basket?

The good news is: fabric baskets are sewn in a jiffy! This makes them perfect as a last-minute gift or if you need a quick little organizer.

Even beginners can sew the square baskets in about half an hour. The round baskets take a little bit longer because the round bottom must be carefully secured with pins before you start sewing.

Which fabrics are suitable?

In this section, we will look at which fabrics are suitable for a fabric basket.

All firm woven fabrics such as decorative fabrics, canvas, linen, cotton poplin, and many more are perfect. But denim (super great: old jeans!), corduroy, bag fabrics, or quilted fabrics are also well-suited for sewing fabric baskets.

The rule of thumb applies: the firmer the fabric, the less reinforcement it needs. A basket made from two layers of sturdy canvas can certainly do without interfacing. The same applies to baskets made from denim or quilted fabrics. You should reinforce most other fabrics beforehand so that the lovely fabric baskets keep their shape and stand up straight.

Fabric & accessory recommendations for the fabric basket

All non-elastic fabrics are suitable. You should reinforce the following fabrics with Vlieseline H250^* or bag interfacing such as Decovil light^* before sewing:

You do not need to reinforce the following fabrics and materials before sewing:

Basically, the rule is: the larger the basket is to be, the firmer the fabric, batting, or iron-on interfacing should be.

You can get detailed information on sewing with cotton in my blog post on this topic.

You will need these accessories to sew the fabric basket:

Cotton fabric^*
Batting (e.g., Vlieseline H640^*, Vlieseline H250^*, or Decovil light^*)
Pins^*
Fabric clips^*
Rotary cutter^*
Thread snips^*
Pinking shears^*
Cutting mat^*

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Instruction 1 / 3

Version 1: Sew a round fabric basket

The round fabric basket looks pretty and is quick to sew. Important: the base must be carefully pinned in place before you start sewing – that's the key to this project.

01

Step

Close the side seam of the outer piece
Fold the short fabric edges of the side piece right sides together.
Secure the fabric edges flush with fabric clips.
Sew the short sides together with a straight stitch and 1 cm seam allowance.
Press the seam allowances open.
Step

Divide the ring into quarters and snip

Divide the resulting ring into quarters: first fold it with the seam on the fold and mark the opposite fold. Place the mark and seam on top of each other and draw further marks at the side folds. Snip into the ring along the marked side approx. 0.5 cm deep at intervals of 1–2 cm – this makes it easier to pin on the round base later.
03

Step

Divide the base into quarters and attach
Divide the base piece into quarters as well.
Pin the base and side piece right sides together so the quarter marks line up.
Then pin the base and side piece together flush all the way round in small steps so that no puckers form while sewing.
Step

Sew on the base with a short straight stitch

Set a short straight stitch – it helps the curve of the base take shape more nicely. Sew once all the way around the base, aligning the fabric edges as you go. Then trim the seam allowance with pinking shears to create extra ease for turning right side out.
Step

Sew the lining piece

Sew the lining piece the same way – but leave a turning gap of approx. 7 cm in the side seam.
Step

Join the outer and lining pieces

Place the lining right sides together inside the outer piece. The side seams lie on top of each other with their seam allowances pressed open, and the top edges line up flush. Secure with fabric clips. Sew both pieces together along the top edge on the free arm with a straight stitch and 1 cm seam allowance.
Step

Turn right side out

Reach into the turning gap in the lining piece and pull the whole fabric storage basket through so that only the pretty sides are visible. Shape all the seams and press the seam allowances of the turning gap 1 cm inwards.
Step

Close the turning gap

Pin the turning gap together and edgestitch it closed with a straight stitch.
Step

Topstitch the top edge

Shape the top edge neatly so the seam lies exactly on the fold. Slide the fabric storage basket over the free arm and sew once all the way round approx. 0.7 cm from the top edge with a longer straight stitch (e.g. 3.5 mm).

My tip

Tip: with the quilt-as-you-go method you can also quilt the outer piece from fabric scraps – the binding strip then adds extra stability.
Step

Done

Your round fabric storage basket is finished!

Instruction 2 / 3

Version 2: Sew a square fabric basket

Square and rectangular fabric baskets are even easier than the round version – only straight seams. Perfect for beginners.

Step

Place the fabric pieces right sides together

Place the two fabric pieces (outer and inner fabric) right sides together.
Step

Sew the outer edges (leave the corners open)

Pin the fabric pieces together along the outer sides and sew them with 1 cm seam allowance. In this step we only sew the four outer edges – the corners stay open.
Step

Pull the corners apart

Reach into the first corner and pull it apart so that the seams lie exactly on top of each other. Then pin the sides together flush.
Step

Mark the turning gap

Mark a turning gap of approx. 6–7 cm in one of the side seams. Leave it open when you close the sides.
Step

Close the sides

Sew all four sides together with a straight stitch and 1 cm seam allowance. Backstitch well at the start and end – the corners are under tension after turning. Press the seam allowances of the outer and lining fabric open so the seams lie flat after turning. Trim the seam allowances at the corners a little.
Step

Turn right side out

Turn the fabric storage basket right side out through the turning gap in the lining.
Step

Close the turning gap

Fold the seam allowance of the turning gap 1 cm inwards, pin it together and edgestitch it closed with a straight stitch.
Step

Tuck in the lining and topstitch

Push the lining into the fabric storage basket and shape the top edge neatly. If you like, secure the edge with pins and topstitch it with a straight stitch. Done!

Instruction 3 / 3

Version 3: Sew a rectangular fabric basket

The rectangular fabric basket is sewn almost exactly like the square one – just in an elongated shape.

Step

Pin the pattern pieces together, edges aligned

Pin the two pattern pieces (reinforced outer + inner) right sides together, flush along the outer edges.
Step

Sew the outer edges

Sew the outer edges with a straight stitch and 1 cm seam allowance. The corners stay open for now.
Step

Shape the corners

Pull the corners apart so that the pressed-open seam allowances lie exactly on top of each other.
Step

Pin the side seams (mark the turning gap)

Clip all four side seams together with fabric clips and mark a turning gap of approx. 6–7 cm in the lining.
Step

Close the side seams

Close the side seams with a straight stitch and 1 cm seam allowance. Backstitch at the start and end by sewing back and forth a few times.
Step

Turn and close the turning gap

Turn the fabric storage basket through the turning gap in the lining. Fold the seam allowance of the turning gap 1 cm inwards and edgestitch it closed with a straight stitch.
Step

Push in the lining

Push the lining into the fabric storage basket. If you like, you can topstitch the rim with a straight stitch. Done!

My tip

Tip for large fabric storage baskets: use Decovil light, a quilted bag fabric or firm materials such as SnapPap, cork fabric or Tyvek – then you don't need to reinforce the pattern pieces as well.

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.

Sewing a storage basket: 3 tutorials with patterns (incl. tips & tricks)

Why should I sew a fabric basket?

How long does it take to sew a fabric basket?

Which fabrics are suitable?

Fabric & accessory recommendations for the fabric basket

Version 1: Sew a round fabric basket

Close the side seam of the outer piece

Divide the ring into quarters and snip

Divide the base into quarters and attach

Sew on the base with a short straight stitch

Sew the lining piece

Join the outer and lining pieces

Turn right side out

Close the turning gap

Topstitch the top edge

Done

Version 2: Sew a square fabric basket

Place the fabric pieces right sides together

Sew the outer edges (leave the corners open)

Pull the corners apart

Mark the turning gap

Close the sides

Turn right side out

Close the turning gap

Tuck in the lining and topstitch

Version 3: Sew a rectangular fabric basket

Pin the pattern pieces together, edges aligned

Sew the outer edges

Shape the corners

Pin the side seams (mark the turning gap)

Close the side seams

Turn and close the turning gap

Push in the lining

Comments

Sabine