Monday, 26 March 2012

Easter Basket...

Here's how I made the Easter Basket pictured above. It's a small basket, measuring 6" x 5" x 1.5".

  • 2 pieces 8 inches x 6 inches - main colour for the outside of the bag
  • 2 pieces 8 inches x 1.5 inches - main colour for the handles
  • 2 pieces 8 inches x 6 inches - contrast colour for the lining
  • 2 pieces 8 inches x 1.5 inches - contrast colour for the handles
  • 2 pieces 8 inches x 6 inches - interfacing
  • 2 pieces 8 inches x 1.5 inches - interfacing
  • 2 small pieces - double sided fusible webbing
I used a medium to heavy weight, woven sew-in interfacing, but you could substitute this with a different weight interfacing, with iron-on interfacing or with batting.



Glueing the appliqué shape to the fabric:
You will need double sided fusible webbing to glue your appliqué to the material. Do NOT cut the appliqué shape out until the fusible webbing is glued to the fabric. One side of the fusible webbing feels rough or bubbly. This is the side you will iron onto the fabric to appliqué. The fusible webbing should be slightly smaller than the fabric. Because I was doing four appliqués, I fused the webbing onto the one large piece of fabric and then cut it into the four smaller appliqués. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for fusing your webbing. Here's I did it:

  2. Place an old cloth under the fabric and on top of the fusible webbing, so glue doesn't get onto the iron or the ironing board.
  3. Set the iron to the correct temperature for the fabric and don't use steam.
  6. Cut out the appliqué.
  8. Centre the appliqué onto the front piece of the bag. This bag will end up with a bottom of roughly 1.5", so take that into consideration when placing the appliqué
  9. Put the old cloth under the front piece of the bag and on top of the appliqué.

Sewing the appliqué shape to the fabric:
You can hand or machine sew the appliqué to the fabric. This will help to prevent it from fraying. Experiment with stitch types, lengths and widths to achieve the look you are after. I use an appliqué foot, simply because it makes it easier to see what I'm stitching. It is not necessary. For this project, I have used a zig zag stitch, with a width of 3.3 and the length .7. I find it also helps to loosen (or reduce) the upper thread tension. On my machine I set the upper thread tension to 3.

  2. Do the same to finish.
  3. For the corners stop with the needle on the inside so the needle is down and going through the appliqué. 
  4. Lift presser foot
  5. Turn fabric
  6. Put the presser foot down
  7. Put the needle up
  8. Reposition the fabric so the needle will be at the end and will line up

Sewing the lining:

  1. Sew the two side seams.
  2. Sew the bottom seam, leaving a gap of 3 inches.
  3. Probably not necessary, but I neaten the edges.

Making the box corner:
The first time I sewed a box corner, it took me ages to work out what to do. Now, it's easy as! If you've never done one, practise. It gets easier every time. If my instructions don't make sense, google it, as there's heaps of tutorials out there.

  1. Measure .75 inch (3/4 inch) from the corner seam (don't measure from the edge of the fabric) in both directions and on both sides of the fabric. 
  2. Put a mark to show where 3/4 inch is. You will have four marks.
  3. Pull out the sides of your bag.
  4. Place one seam on top of the other seam.
  5. Put your pin through the top mark. If the pin comes out through the mark on the other side, your boxed corner will line up. 
  7. Face the seams in opposite directions to reduce bulk.
  8. Take the pin out and hold the fabric in place. If you would like, hand sew in place to hold.
  9. With a ruler, draw a line across the fabric.
  10. Sew across the line. I sew a couple of times for reinforcement.
  11. Cut the fabric and neaten.
  12. Repeat for the other side.

Outside of bag - sew front to back:
 I sew the interfacing to the fabric, before I sew, to stop any movement. If you are using iron-on interfacing, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

  1. Sew the interfacing to the wrong side of each outside piece of fabric. Sew close to the edge of the fabric.
  2. With right sides together, sew the side and bottom seams.
  3. Make boxed corners as per the lining.

  1. Place two handles right sides together.
  3. Sew the long edges together.
  4. Finish seams with a zig zag.
  6. Iron the handles.
  7. Topstitch 1/8inch (3mm) from the edge of the seams. I increase the stitch length a little to topstitch. I use a stitch length of 2.6
  8. Repeat for the second handle.

Join the handles to the bag:
  1. Place each end of the handle 2 inches (5cm) from the side seam on the outside of the bag.
  2. The right side of the handle should be next to the right side of the bag.
  3. Baste (hand sew) into place.

Attach the lining to the outside of the bag:
  3. Tuck the handles between the outside and the lining.
  5. Sew a 6/8inch (1.5cm) seam to join the top edges of the lining and the outside of the bag.
  7. Finish the seams with a zig zag stitch.

Turn the bag right side out:
  3. Topstitch the gap in the lining.

Finishing off:
  1. Push the lining back into the bag.
  2. Iron the top edge of the bag.
  3. Topstitch 1/8inch (3mm) from the edge, around the top of the bag.

I know I should have photographed my bags with some Easter eggs, but I was too impatient to wait for a trip to the shops, so I've used a cotton reel to give some perspective.

A quick and easy little project. Of course, the basket doesn't have to be used for Easter eggs. This is the same little basket I made to put fabric letters in for the Typography Challenge. Just change the fabric to suit the purpose.

Have you seen our Ongoing Bags and Totes link party? At last count, there were 147 fabulous bags linked up... lots of ideas, tutorials and inspiration.

How to make a cute, little fabric Easter Basket. Tutorial by Threading My Way

... Pam


  1. Such cute little bags Pam - and a great tutorial!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success

  2. Oh Pam, these look so lovely. Such a comprehensive tutorial. I just love them ♥♥♥

  3. Lovely bags Pam and great instructions too! There will be some very happy little girls come Easter round your way I think!

  4. These are great! Well done!

  5. What a cute daughter would love this. Thank you for the detailed tutorial. I really need to try the applique!

  6. These are too cute! And wonderful tutorial. Thanks so much! Take care. Deb.

  7. That is so smart to do the extra stitching at the handles when you attach the lining. I would not have thought to do that. Smart.

  8. Very cute!!! I love that spotty fabric... just perfect for an easter project!

  9. Hi Pam, this is too cute for just easter eggs. this can easily be my bag for work.

  10. These are so pretty! I love the spots combined with the gingham. Some little girl is going to love these.

  11. Cute little bags for Easter or any time! Thanks so much for sharing!
    Quilting at the River Linky Party Tuesday

  12. These are so cute! I'm following:) I hope you'll share this at my link party, running now through Saturday night!

  13. Oi querida muito lindo seu trabalho, e obrigada por compartilhar!!

  14. These are darling! And what a great idea to use bags for Easter baskets! My mother in law made my kids fabric trick or treat baskets and they've lasted for years. Thank you for sharing!

  15. Really CUTE!! Honestly, I'd make a larger one for myself, to wear as my Easter purse! Thanks for sharing how, and Happy Easter to you! ~tina

  16. So sweet! Much better than those cheapo ones!

  17. Your bags are absolutely wonderful!

  18. What an adorable Easter basket!! And what a special keepsake for the person you made it for :) Thanks for sharing at my party!!

  19. Such a lovely basket! I'm sure the little one you made it for will treasure it -- and find lots of other uses for it too! Your detailed tutorial was fabulous. I would love it if you would consider linking to Busy Monday at A Pinch of Joy, a Sunday through Thursday link party for ideas that make life easier, better and more fun!

    1. Thanks, Charlene. Can you leave me the link to your party.

  20. Your bags are always so cute! I always mess up my corners. :( I think I will try again with your tutorial. Thanks for partying with us this week.

  21. I am featuring your Easter Bags tomorrow at the party. YAY!! Hope to see you there.:)

  22. Really great fab instructions too

  23. Sweet totes!Love them!Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial!
    Have a fabulous week!
    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft

  24. Wow, that was pretty creative and unique. I'd love to include this to my Easter crafts for kids post featuring lovely crafts and projects. Thanks for sharing inspiration!

