Customise wicker baskets to keep your bathroom tidy, or fill them with treats to give as gifts
You often see pretty fabric-lined baskets like these in boutique hotels, but there’s no reason why you can’t have them in your own home! A sewing machine makes this a quick and easy job - just find a pretty wicker basket and choose some stylish fabric and buttons to match. In fact, the only challenge will be refraining from splashing out on expensive toiletries to match your new basket!
You will need:
Read on for our step-by-step guide...
 Step 1Measure the inside of your basket and make paper templates of the sides and base. Place your fabric right side down and draw around the templates onto the back of the fabric. Cut the fabric, leaving a 2cm border around the pencil line, plus an extra 7cm at the top, which will eventually fold over the edge of your basket. |
 Step 2Place two side pieces together with the pencil lines on the outside and pin in place. Machine stitch the edges together using the pencil line as a guide, starting 2cm from the bottom and finishing 7cm from the top (shown here in blue thread for clarity – make sure you use matching thread for the real thing). Repeat to stitch all four of the sides together. |
 Step 3Attach the fabric base to the sides with pins, using the pencil lines as a guide. Hem the top edges of the lining by folding each edge over twice by 1cm and pinning in place. Repeat to hem the unstitched side edges and base. Machine stitch all the hems and press with an iron. Place the lining inside the basket and attach either ribbon ties or buttons to secure the fabric at the corners – use a few stitches in a matching thread. |
Comments
Jill Ruth said on 24th October 2012
I'm a little confused as to how you attached the base to the sides. You pinned it, then turned over 1 cm twice then stitched? I'm not sure how that would work in the corners. I would love to try this so am just clarifying. Thanks so much for all the inspiration found here!
Jenny said on 26th October 2012
Hi Jill! I think the 'turn over twice' is just for the top edges of the lining? The base and sides can just be zoomed through the sewing machine wrong-side-out as there'll be no visible hem. Ooh, does that make sense? I'm not much of a sewing expert, but will check with our sewing geniuses for you!