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Sew a sewing basket: DIY instructions for a storage box

07.04.2019 by Sabine Schmidt

Nähkorb nähen: DIY-Anleitung für eine Aufbewahrungsbox

Sewing a sewing basket: Are you looking for a nice storage box for your sewing notions? With my pattern, you can easily sew your own practical sewing storage box!

I have been dreaming of sewing my own beautiful sewing storage box for a long time. Somehow otherprojects (Livia eBook) always got in the way.

Today I finally got around to making a beautiful storage box for my sewing notions. It was really quick. And I think it is super cute!

The sewing basket is made from a simple square of fabric, which is nicely reinforced and quilted. So it is no witchcraft. Just a little clever folding technique. ;)

Quilting also gives the basket extra structure and stability.

By the way, you can also wonderfully sew the fabric basket out of waxed fabric. You can also easily make the waxed fabric yourself!

What you need to sew the sewing basket

38 x 38 cm outer fabric, e.g. cotton fabric,^* linen^*, canvas^*, glitter faux leather^*, denim, corduroy
38 x 38 cm cotton as lining fabric
38 x 38 cm cotton batting^* or thermo-lam^* to sew in or iron-on interfacing^*, Bosal^* also works very well; if you use Bosal, you can do without Vlieseline S320!
optional: Vlieseline S320^*, for nice, crisp corners
sewing pins^*
fabric marker^* or chalk pencil^*
sewing thread^*
rotary cutter^*
fabric scissors^*
patchwork ruler^*
Sewing machine (you can also read my review of the Janome Horizon)
fabric clips^*
seam gauge^*

Note on batting

If you want your sewing notions box to have particularly good structure and crisp corners, reinforce one or both fabrics with Vlieseline S320 before sewing.

If you would prefer to sew a lightweight, flexible notions box, quilt the outer fabric and cotton batting together first.

This is what the finished sewing basket looks like

If you like, feel free to leave me a comment and tell me how you got on with the sewing!

Happy simple sewing,

your Sabine

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.

Sew your own sewing basket

Step

Place the outer fabric on the cotton wadding and pin it securely.
Mark any lines you like on the fabric with the fabric marker.
Step
Step

Sew along the lines with a longer straight stitch (decorative seams with the twin needle look great too!).
This is how it should look now:
Step
Step

Now place the prepared outside right sides together on the lining fabric.
Step

Pin everything securely with pins.
Step

Sew around the square with a straight stitch and a seam allowance of 1 cm. Leave a turning gap of approx. 10 cm on one side.
Step

Open the seam allowances by pressing them apart. Alternatively, you can use a bone folder like I do.
Step

Trim the seam allowance at the corners diagonally to 3 mm from the seam.
Turn the fabric right side out through the turning gap.
Shape the corners and seams well, fold the seam allowance of the turning gap inwards and press the fabric.
Edgestitch around the square, closing the turning gap as you go.
Step

Fold the square in half.
Secure the fabric layers on both sides with wonder clips.
Step
Step

On the folded side, now make a mark 10 cm along the side and 10 cm along the fold.
Step

Join both marks with a diagonal line.
Step
Step

Repeat this step on the other side of the fold.
Step

Sew along the diagonal line with a straight stitch.
Step

Open the fabric storage basket so that the two corners you've just sewn lie on top of each other.
Step
Step

Sew the two resulting unsewn corners the same way as the first two.
Step

This is how it should look now:
Fold the corners down and pin them in place.
Step
Step
Step
Step

Secure them with a short seam.
Press the corner pockets of the fabric storage basket open.
Step

Done! :)
Now you can fill your masterpiece!

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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.