Padded Fabric Basket

If you're like me, you like projects that look spectacular but are quick and easy to sew. Here's an incredibly easy little basket you can make in an hour or less. And as it is padded, it is great for carrying fragile items!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Decide on the basket size you would like. For my sample, I used a 14" circle, of which the base measures 7", and the sides are 3.5" high.

(The width and depth will depend on the width of your base circle and the size of the outer circle measurements.)

2. Cut two circles of fabric (outside and lining) the desired size. Use a compass, circle cutter or template to cut your circle.

(For some extra help, download the template file below. This will give you 1/4 of a 14-inch circle, with a 7-inch base. This is for a basket the exact same size as the sample you see here. For a larger or smaller basket, just resize the template and transfer the lines. You can play around with the size of the inner circle for a deeper or more shallow basket.)

3. On the lining fabric, Mark a horizontal and a vertical line at right angles from each other to find the center of the circle. Within each quarter circle mark two additional lines at 30 degree angles from the center line and from each other.

4. Place the two circles of fabric on top or each other, WRONG SIDES together.

5. Stitch around the inner circle and along the length of each outer line to form 12 wedges. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam line.

6. Fill each "wedge" with natural or polyester filling. It isn't necessary to stuff too tightly - just enough to give you a nice firm side. As you stuff the wedges the side will take shape automatically.

7. Using strong thread and a long basting stitch, close the edges together, gathering the edges at the same time to help keep the sides standing straight up.

8. Bind the edges of the basket. (If you like, you can stuff the inside of the binding with filling for a nice firm edge.)

9.Cut a piece of cardboard (or plastic) the same size as the inner circle of your basket. Using this as a template, but a circle of batting the same size.

10. Cut a circle of fabric an inch larger than the cardboard circle. Fold under a narrow edge and baste with a large gathering stitch.

11. Place the batting and cardboard circles on the fabric circle (wrong side up). Gather the fabric tightly around the cardboard. Secure the thread.

12. Insert the padded circle into the bottom of the basket.

(click on photo above to enlarge)

13. Optional handles: Decide how long you want your handle to be and add 2 inches to that length. Cut two strips of fabric that length times 1.5" wide.