Fabric Organizer Baskets

With the weather turning warmer, I find myself getting the urge to spring clean. I can’t think of a better way to organize my belongings and show my love of sewing by making pretty baskets! These fabric containers measure 8-1/2″ W x 5-1/2″ W x 6″ D, have optional handles, and are just the right size for storing fat quarters, rolled fabrics, notions, and more. They also make great boxes for gift giving—just fill with goodies, wrap in cellophane, and tie off with a pretty bow. Best of all? It’s a fat quarter friendly project!

Materials to make a Fabric Organizer Basket

• 2 Fat Quarters
• 1/2 yard Timtex\Peltex interfacing
• 1/4 yard midweight fusible interfacing
• Water soluble marker
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Thread to match
• Organizer Basket Template
• Sewing Machine, I sew on a BERNINA 580
• Patchwork Foot #37 (optional)

Making a Fabric Organizer Basket

Cutting your Fabric Organizer Basket

From fat quarter, cut a 15″ x 18″ rectangle. Fold rectangle in half (so that it measures 9″ x 15″) and place the Fabric Template on each corner on the fold. Using your water soluble marker, trace and remove the squares from the material. Repeat for second fat quarter.

You will find that when you open up your fabrics, it is now in the shape of an “H”.

If you would like for your basket to have handles, cut 2, 5″ x 9″ rectangles from the exterior fabric as well as from the mid-weight fusible interfacing. After cutting, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the material, following manufacturer’s directions.

From the Timtex\Peltex cut a 14 1/2″ x 17 1/2″ rectangle. Fold in half (so that the interfacing measures 8 3/4″ x  14 1/2″) and place the Timtex\Peltex Template on each corner on the fold. Using your water soluble marker, trace and remove the squares from the material.

Center the Timtex\Peltex on the wrong side of the exterior fabric and fuse. You will find that the interfacing is smaller than the fabric—this is intentional. The excess bulk of the interfacing is already removed (so your edges will look crisp and your basket will have a professional looking finish), but should still be long enough that it will be caught into the stitching while sewing.

Sewing a Fabric Organizer Basket

All seams are 1/4″ unless otherwise specified

With right sides together, fold the exterior fabric in half so that it looks like a “T”. Sew the sides of the basket only (the area to sew has been highlighted).

“Box out” your corners, by bringing the center, bottom edge of the basket to meet the side crease. Sew across this area. Repeat for second side.

Turn the basket right-side out and press creases in place (bottom & side edges).

Repeat the steps above to create the lining.

Sewing Handles (Optional)

Fold in 1/2″ on each short edge of handle and press.

Fold handle in half, lengthwise. Open up fold and bring raw edges to meet crease.

Refold the handle and sew around all the edges of the strap. Repeat for second handle piece.

Place handle on side edge of basket exterior so that the top of the strap is 1 1/2″ down from the basket’s top edge and outermost handle edge is 1/2″ from the center seam.

Using the existing topstitching as your guide, sew around the handle, creating a 1″ square. Repeat for second set of handles. (To add extra handle support, you can add an ‘X’ to the center of your square.)

With right sides together, place exterior basket inside lining, matching seams and raw edges. Sew around top edge of basket, leaving a 5 -6 ” opening for turning.

Turn basket right side out through the opening on the top edge. Press and topstitch along upper edge.