Today’s little project is perfect for adding a touch of personality to baskets or containers in any room of your house. Come along and learn how to make an easy DIY basket liner.
Okay, so I may have too many baskets in my house. I love how they add texture and warmth to a room. Not to mention functionality.
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There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.
— Edward de Bono
Easy Sewing Project
This DIY project is quick, easy, and perfect for a beginner. It requires very little fabric, so it is also budget-friendly. Most baskets require under a 1/2 yard of fabric.
How do you sew a basket liner without a pattern?
Fortunately, no pattern is necessary to make your custom basket lining! You will create your own pattern, so to speak.
I will explain how easy it is to measure your basket to get the right fit.
The sewing is really straightforward. Literally, it is straight lines and straight stitching.
See the step-by-step instructions below.
How do you make a round basket liner for an Easter basket?
Easter will be here soon! Consider making an adorable custom Easter basket for yourself or a special child in your life!
There are so many ways to personalize a basket lining. It would make a lovely gift and keepsake for years to come.
Even if you don’t have children in your home, Easter baskets are an easy and fun way to decorate for the holiday.
Click here for a tutorial on Making a Liner for a Round Basket.
It is similar to a rectangular basket, with just a few unique steps.
How to Measure for a Basket Liner Pattern
Customize the lining pattern below to fit your own basket.
Write down the measurements as you go, then create a quick sketch.
Use the final pattern size to determine how much fabric to purchase. The amount of fabric and trims will vary based on the basket size you are fitting.
This approach works for straight up and down baskets and roughly the same width from top to bottom.
If yours varies a lot in size, it should still work, but proceed cautiously. (I have not tested it.)
Measure the Depth of the Basket
For a rectangular basket liner, you only need four measurements. First, with a ruler, measure the inside depth of the basket.
Get the Dimensions for the bottom of the Basket
Next, measure the dimensions of the bottom of the basket, width, and length.
For this, it’s easiest to turn the basket upside down and measure the widest dimensions.
Measure the Outer Perimeter of the Basket
The final measurement is the outside perimeter at the top rim.
This is the most important measurement because you want the liner to be able to fit over the rim of the basket. The other measurements are more forgiving.
Take a long piece of fabric or tape measure, and wrap it around the outside at the widest part of the top rim.
Pin snug or mark with a disappearing pen for stitch placement.
I add a 1/2 inch from the pinpoint for stitching. You can stitch tighter or looser here; I like just a little wiggle room.
NOTE Also add a seam allowance. 1/4-inch to 1-inch is common.
That will be the final width for your side panel.
The basket perimeter will also tell you the approximate length of your drawstring.
Add an additional 16-22 inches to the total length of the tie if you want to make a bow. If your basket is really large, you may want to go longer.
With all of these measurements, create a quick drawing of how they would fit on the fabric.
If you get stuck, ask an employee at the fabric store for help. They are always willing to assist.
NOTE Keep in mind which direction you want the print to run or if there is a specific pattern on the fabric that you want to show up on the front., etc.
IMPORTANT Remember to add a seam allowance to each fabric piece.
What is a seam allowance?
A seam allowance is an area between the raw fabric edge and the stitching line on the pieces of material being sewn together.
A seam allowance typically ranges from 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) wide to as much as several inches.
It’s up to you how wide you’d like to make yours. I typically use a 5/8 inch (1.5cm) seam allowance.
Okay. Let’s get started! Below are the materials you will need. (Affiliate links are underlined)
Supply List
All supplies are not in the photo above, so be sure to read the list below. (Affiliate links are underlined.)
Fabric
Ruler
Pins
Thread
Sewing Scissors HERE or
Rotary Cutter HERE
Cutting Mat HERE
Basket HERE & HERE & HERE
Iron HERE optional
Where To Buy Supplies
Below is a list of my favorite places for fabric and sewing supplies. Affiliate links included.
Online
Amazon
Spoonflower
Fabric Depot
Online and Storefront
JoAnn Fabrics
Hobby Lobby
Michael’s Craft Stores
Instructions for making a DIY Basket Liner
Let’s get started. Below are step-by-step instructions for how to sew your basket lining.
Preparing Your Fabric and Pattern
1 Measure your basket, then make your pattern. See more details and techniques above to determine the size of your pattern pieces.
To create the same look I made, you should have three fabric pieces total, the side panel, a bottom piece, and the drawstring tie. (Unless you are piecing the drawstring from multiple fabric pieces.)
Once you have purchased your materials, pre-wash your fabric(s) first.
Use the drying technique you plan to use in the future, such as air-dry or machine-dry.
You want the fabric to shrink before you cut it out.
This will prevent unwanted shrinking in the future.
Cut your fabric pieces out. If you have a directional print, choose which edge you want to be at the top.
How to make the Front Flap and Drawstring Casing
2 Next, we will create the drawstring’s front flap and casing.
You will press the top vertical 3 inches on both ends of the side panel fabric piece.
First, fold 1/8 inch and press, and then fold another 1/8 inch and press again. With your iron, taper the crease at the bottom of the roll.
Next, fold over the top edge of the side panel toward the wrong side of the fabric, 1/8 inch. Press. Fold over another 1/8 inch and press again.
To create the drawstring casing, fold one more time 3/4 inch. Press.
3 Next, topstitch the double-fold vertical hems on both sides.
Also, topstitch the bottom of the casing from end to end, catching the double-folded hem with raw edges inside.
Leave both ends of the casing open so you can feed the drawstring through.
4 Fold the side panel in half. Stitch the side closed, starting just under the rolled hems, all the way to the bottom. Backstitch to secure the stitch.
Adding darts and Attaching the Bottom Panel
5 With the right sides together, pin the bottom piece to the side panel.
Start by centering the side panel stitching on the side of the bottom piece that you want to be in the front. See the photo above for reference.
I wanted the drawstring on the narrow end of the basket, so I pinned the casing opening onto the narrow side of my bottom panel.
Next, position the center of the folded side panel on the other end to the other side of the bottom rectangle.
Evenly pin around the perimeter of the rectangle, easing the fullness as you go.
Add a dart to create a tapered bottom in each of the four corners.
Pin a half-inch dart at the bottom that tapers vertically up the sides approximately 5 inches.
Adjust this length to fit your basket better if necessary. Stitch all four darts closed, then attach the bottom to the side by stitching around the perimeter.
How to Make a Drawstring Tie
6 Measure the perimeter of your basket for the length of your drawstring tie, then add approximately an additional 16-22 inches to the total length of the tie.
The extra length is for the bow. Lengthen or shorten as you like.
Next, cut a 2-inch wide strip of fabric that length. With the wrong sides together, fold the tie in half lengthwise and press with an iron.
Open up the fabric strip. Fold each raw END inward about 1/8 -3/8 inch and press.
This encases the raw edges, so they don’t ravel.
Now, fold both lengthwise raw edges towards the center but not touching each other. Press again, tucking each of the ends under as you iron.
Fold in half again, so the folded edges meet and line up. Press.
With a sewing machine, close up the tie by topstitching along both lengthwise edges of the tie and also across each end.
For more details on making a fabric tie, check out this Fabric Tie Tutorial.
If you want to make a liner for an Easter basket, click here to learn How to Make a Liner for a Round Basket.
I hope you enjoy upgrading your baskets with a pretty fabric liner.
Please let me know if you make a basket liner in the comment box below.
Wishing you creativity, happiness, and good health!
xo,
Cindy
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