Years ago my elderly neighbor in Oregon made some fabric baskets with Christmas fabrics. They had ribbons sewn into the corners, which when tied lifted the corners, creating a basket for Christmas treats and odds n ends. After Christmas the ribbons are untied and the basket can be stored flat for storage. They were very handy but the ribbons were annoying.
Here is an updated version of the foldaway fabric basket. They can be made in any size but we will start with a finished 6" basket.
I use one for stitch markers. I left a corner unsnapped so that I can reach into it easier while I'm knitting. It sits on a side table a bit higher than my head so leaving one corner open allows me to see what size stitch marker I am reaching for.
Let's start with supplies. We're going to make a 6" basket. The base will be 6". For a 6" basket, cut a 10 1/2" fashion fabric and a 10 1/2" lining fabric. Cut a corresponding piece of fusible interfacing to iron onto the back of the fashion fabric square. Cut a piece of heavy interfacing 6" square. You will need 8 snap sets also.
After ironing on interfacing, place right sides of squares facing and sew around, using a 1/4" seam allowance and leaving a 3-4" gap on one side for turning. This creates a simple pocket. Trim corners and turn. Slide the 6" square of heavy interfacing inside and position in center. Hint: If you want to place the heavy interfacing before turning, use a glue stick to hold heavy interfacing in place on wrong side of fashion fabric/interfacing before sewing sides. Either way works about the same.
Sew around the heavy interfacing. I used a stitch that catches the interfacing every few stitches but you can also use a straight stitch. If you use a straight stitch stay right on the edge of the heavy interfacing. You can see the stitching in the picture above. This gives the basket a firm base.
Topstitch around the edge of the turned out pocket, being sure to catch the opening left for turning.
Measure and mark 1/2" from topstitching and 1" from side on both sides of all four corners. I use ink because it's clear to see and the snap will cover the ink. Attach snaps, being sure to have fastenings facing inside.
Notice the pencil with its eraser? When I place the poky prong piece of the snap pair I use the eraser to press the prongs through the fabric for easier placement of the other half of the snap. I then use the snap pliers to press snaps together and follow up with a snap tool and rubber mallet to make sure each snap part is secure.
You can also make these portable baskets magnetic. There are multiple reasons for a magnetic basket but the first thing that pops to mind is for minding sewing pins and/or needles. Slide a piece of sheet magnet with adhesive onto the center of the heavy interfacing (glue side down on interfacing and magnet facing up to lining fabric) before sewing around the heavy interfacing and closing pocket.
Adjusting to make custom sizes:
For whatever base size you want add 4 1/2" and cut squares
Example, For a 5" basket, cut 9 1/2" squares.
For a 12" basket cut 16 1/2" squares.
For a 8" basket cut 12 1/2" squares.
The 4 1/2" is 2" sides and 1/4" seam allowance.
The heavy interfacing size will match whatever the basket base size will be.
When the basket is not in use it can be unsnapped and put away flat. Great for travel crafting, holiday baskets that are only out during the holiday season, or for entertaining when space is limited. I am sure there are lots of other uses for them that make their flat storage ability quite useful.
No comments:
Post a Comment