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You Asked 4 It: Structured Fabric Baskets Editor: Liz JohnsonWednesday, 01 June 2011 9:00

Another You Asked 4 It survey request crossed off the list. Several people asked about structured fabric baskets. We'reguessing there must be a lot of Sew4Home fans out there with a lot of stuff they need to organize in some terrific totes. We'vecome through with not just one but a pretty pair: a large basket measuring 10" wide x 8" tall x 6" deep and a small companionat 8" wide x 7" tall x 5" deep. The two nest perfectly together. Wouldn't these make an awesome wedding shower gift filled withkitchen or bath goodies?!

We dove into our stash for this project and came us with four beautiful Michael Miller Fabric prints that are still availablethrough numerous outlets. Divine Damask and Dressforms are from the Black and White collection, which we originally usedfor a week of beautiful pillows last spring. We accent the dramatic black and white combo with Apple and Black Ta Dot -Michael Miller classics.

We found Divine Damask in Black at Fabric.com, Hawthorne Threads and Emerald City Fabrics. Dressforms in black isavailable at Fat Quarter Shop, Fabric.com and Emerald City Fabrics. And, you can get Ta-Dot at Fabric.com and HawthorneThreads.

Our You Asked 4 It survey article is still live on the site and we still check for new comments. Please leave your idea if youhaven't already.

Sewing Tools You NeedAny Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome Memory Craft 5200)

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Walking foot (optional, but with all these layers, I used my Walking foot for the entire project!)New Denim needle

Fabric and Other Supplies

Our fabric cut recommendations are generous to allow for fussy cutting.

Large Basket

½ yard of 44-45" wide fabric for the basket exterior: we used Divine Damask in Black by Michael Miller Fabrics½ yard of 44-45" wide fabric for the basket lining and top of handles: we used Ta Dot in Apple by Michael Miller Fabrics¼ yard of 44-45" wide fabric or scrap for back of handles: we used Ta Dot in Black by Michael Miller Fabrics¾ yard of heavyweight fusible OR sew-in interfacing, such as fusible Fast2Fuse or Heat 'n' Bond or Pellon's sew-inheavyweight interfacing NOTE: These type of products are normally only 18"-20" wide. We found and bought our interfacing off the bolt at ourlocal fabric store so getting ¾ yard wasn't a problem. If you have to by packaged interfacing, carefully check theamount; you may need more than one package.½ yard of 44-45" lightweight batting: we used Kyoto Bamboo Batting from Fabric.com1 yard of wide coordinating rick rack; we used 1" in black1 yard of wide velvet ribbon; we used 2" black velvet

Small Basket

½ yard of 44-45" wide fabric for the basket exterior: we used Dressforms in Black by Michael Miller Fabrics½ yard of 44-45" wide fabric for the basket lining: we used Ta Dot in Apple by Michael Miller Fabrics¼ yard of 44-45" wide fabric or scrap for back of handles: we used Ta Dot in Black by Michael Miller Fabrics¾ yard of heavyweight fusible OR sew-in interfacing, such as fusible Fast2Fuse or Heat 'n' Bond or Pellon's sew-inheavyweight interfacing½ yard of 44-45" lightweight batting: we used Kyoto Bamboo Batting from Fabric.com1 yard of wide coordinating rick rack; we used 1" in black

Both Baskets

All purpose thread in colors to best match both rick rack and fabric: we used Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP in #6920Chartreuse and #900 BlackSee-through rulerFabric pen or pencilSeam gaugeIron and ironing boardScissors or rotary cutter and matStraight pins

Getting Started2

Large Basket

1. From the fabric for the basket exterior (Black Divine Damask in our sample) , fussy cut TWO 12" high x 17" wide panels.2. From the fabric for the basket lining and handle tops (Apple Ta Dot in our sample) , cut the following:

TWO 12" high x 17" wide panels TWO 2½" x 10" strips

3. From the back handle accent fabric (Black Ta Dot in our sample) , cut TWO 2½" x 10" strips.4. From the batting, cut TWO 12" x 17" panels and TWO 2½" x 10" strips.5. From the heavyweight interfacing, cut TWO 12" x 17" panels.

Small Basket

1. From the fabric for the basket exterior (Black Dressforms in our sample) , fussy cut TWO 10½" high x 14" wide panels.2. From the fabric for the basket lining and handle tops (Apple Ta Dot in our sample) , cut the following:

TWO 10½" high x 14" wide panels TWO 2½" x 10" strips

3. From the back handle accent fabric (Black Ta Dot in our sample) , cut TWO 2½" x 10" strips.4. From the batting, cut TWO 10½" high x 14" wide panels and TWO 2½" x 10" strips.5. From the heavyweight interfacing, cut TWO 10½" high x 14" wide panels.

At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing BoardThe steps below show me assembling the large basket. The steps for the smaller basket are the same.

Layering the panels

1. Place a piece of interfacing against the wrong side of each exterior panel.2. Align the two layers on all four sides, being very careful to make sure both pieces are super flat. Pin in place.3. Machine baste the two layers together around all four sides, staying about ¼" from the raw edges. I used my Janome

walking foot since I was dealing with layers of different thicknesses and types. NOTE: If you've chosen fusible interfacing, follow your manufacturer's directions to adhere the interfacing to the fabricrather than stitching as I did.

4. Press well. If need be, once everything is sewn, pressed and flat, trim the interfacing so it is completely flush with thefabric.

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5. Repeat to stitch a batting panel to the wrong side of each lining panel.

Seam panels and box the bottom corners

1. Place the two exterior panels right sides together. If you are using a directional print as we did, make sure both panelsare lined up top-to-top.

2. Pin in place along both sides and across the bottom.3. Using a ½" seam allowance, stitch both sides and across the bottom, pivoting at the corners. I'm still using my Janome

Walking foot.4. With the basket still wrong side out, the next step is to box the bottom corners. Be aware the heavyweight interfacing will

make this technique a little harder to do than with plain fabric, but it is still pliable... you can do it!5. Using both hands, pinch and pull apart one bottom corner.6. As you keep pulling, the fabric will begin to make a little peak with the corner point at the top and a seam line running

down the middle of both sides. Fold one seam allowance to the right and the other seam allowance to the left.7. Precisely match the two seams front to back. I work first from the wrong side, then I look down inside the basket to see if

my seams are lining up. Below is a photo of me looking straight down into the basket, lining up my side and bottomseams.

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8. Our bag is sized for 6" sides and base. To create this width, you need to figure your boxed corner seam at half thefinished width. Therefore, in our sample, we measured 3" from the tip of the corner peak and drew a horizontal line. NOTE: For the small basket, the sides and base are 5", so your corners should be measured at 2½".

9. Pin your folded and measured 'peak' and stitch along the drawn line. With most boxed corners, I would recommendstitching and then backstitching to reinforce. However, since this project is so thick and stiff, I recommend stitchingstraight across, locking at the beginning and end, removing the project, then replacing it under the needle, and stitchingstraight across again.

10. Trim away the peak on each side to about ¼" from the seam line.

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11. Repeat these steps on the opposite corner.12. Turn the basket right side out and push out to form the boxed corners.

13. Repeat ALL the steps (1-12) to create a matching lining.

14. Fold down and press the top raw edge of both the basket exterior and the lining ½" all around, creating a nice finishededge. Pin in place.

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15. Pin the rick rack to the top folded edge of the lining. Start at a side seam and 'dip' the curve of the rick rack down to hidethe raw edge. The middle of the rick rack should be aligned with the top fold of the lining so the half of the rick rack's'wave' sticks up from the top.

16. Machine baste the rick rack in place, staying close to the folded edge, which should be right through the middle of the rickrack. I used thread to match my lining fabric in the top and thread to match my rick rack in the bobbin.

17. Slip the lining inside the basket exterior so the two layers are wrong sides together. Push the lining down into place sothe side seams match up and the top folded edges are flush.

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Handles

1. Collect the SIX 2½" x 10" strips: two top fabric strips, two bottom fabric strips and two batting strips.2. Make two three-part layers: batting, back fabric right side up, top fabric right side down. Align all raw edges. Pin in place.

3. Using a ½" seam allowance stitch both sides through all layers. Leave both ends raw and open. Trim the seamallowance back to approximately ¼".

4. Turn each handle right side out and press.

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5. Topstitch along both sides close to the edge. As with the rick rack, I made sure my top and bobbin threads matched eachfabric: in my sample that meant green in the top and black in the bobbin.

6. Insert each handle between the layers, positioning them over the side seams. Each inside edge of the handle should be1" from the side seam and each raw end should be 1½" from the top folded edge. Pin in place. NOTE: I pinned from the inside to hold things in place while I was measuring. But then I transferred the pins to theoutside before final stitching. Otherwise, the pins will trapped between the layers.

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7. Realign the the lining and the exterior basket, making sure the top folded edges are flush with one another, the sideseams match, and the rick rack is sticking up.

8. Topstitch all around the top of the basket through all the layers, keeping your seam line 3/8" from the top folded edges.Again, I'm still using my Janome walking foot!

9. Then go back around with a second line of topstitching 1/8" from the first line of topstitching. NOTE: I switched back to black thread as both my top and bobbin thread because I liked the look of the accent linesof topstitching inside and out. If you'd prefer a more subtle look, stay with a color to match the exterior as your topthread and a color to match your lining in the bobbin.

IMPORTANT: You are sewing through a LOT of layers. Be prepared! Our Janome machines power through tough jobslike these, but even I was extra cautious and hand-cranked over the thickest part: the side seams. By 'hand-crank,' Imean I took my foot off the pedal and used the handwheel on the side of the machine to walk the machine stitch bystitch across the super thick layers of the side seams. Once I'd cleared this area, I put the pedal to the metal again. Notall machines are up to the task. I would suggest testing your machine with a multiple layer ‘mock-up' first, such as a

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stack of folded scraps.

10. As a final touch, we tied a pretty velvet bow around one with the handles.

Contributors

Project Design: Alicia Thommas

Sample Creation: Liz Johnson

Other machines suitable for this project include the Bernina 380 and the Elna 5300.

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Storage Solutions

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