How to Sew Easy Baskets with 10″ Squares – Layer Cake Leftover Project!

I love sewing projects that use pre-cut fabrics but I often have a handful of leftovers pieces that I’m not sure what to do with. That’s why I designed this easy basket that you can sew with 10’’ layer cake squares! It’s a fast and easy to sew fabric basket that’s reversible too.

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If you are new to sewing, this is a perfect place to start. You only need to sew simple straight lines and the materials for these baskets are inexpensive and easy to find.

And who doesn’t need a few more baskets? These soft bins are great for keeping your sewing table or desk tidy, or for gift giving.

I used 10’’ squares of fabric from a layer cake of Anna Maria Horner’s Conservatory collection. If you have a whole layer cake of fabric to use (that’s a bundle of 40-42 ten inch squares), you’ll be able to make 10 baskets with it.

Plus you are really going to love how the inside corners of the lining and exterior are attached together so there is no baggy lining!

But did I mention that it’s reversible – so the lining and exterior can switch at any time.

So let’s get sewing!

To make 1 basket, you will need:

• 4 squares of fabric 10’’ x 10’’

• 1/3 yard of medium weight fusible interfacing (I used HeatnBond Fusible Fleece)

• coordinating thread

Additional Cutting:

• cut 2 squares of fusible fleece or other fusible interfacing 10’’ x 10’’

Preparation

1. Pair your fabrics together so that 2 fabrics will be the inside of the basket and 2 will be the exterior (just for now since the basket will be reversible).

Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of 1 pair of fabrics (it doesn’t matter which ones).

Place that pair of fabrics right sides together.

Tip: If your fabric is directional, make sure that the fabric square is right side up.

2. Cut 2 1/2’’ squares from the bottom corners of the fabrics.

3. Place the other set of fabrics right sides together and cut 2 1/2’’ squares from the bottom corners of those two fabric squares also.

Tip: those 2 1/2’’ squares are the same size as another pre-cut fabric – Mini Charms! It’s okay to peel the interfacing off the back (if needed) and use these mini charms for another project, such as my Patchwork Potholder.

4. Press the top edge of all four basket pieces to the wrong side by 1/2’’.

Sewing

Use a 1/4’’ seam allowance.

1. Place each pair of fabrics right sides together again. Pin.

2. Open the top folds and sew across the side and bottom edges only of each pair (do not sew around the cut out corners).

Press the seams open. Re-press the folded edge at the top of each basket piece, if needed.

3. To make the bottom corners, flatten one side of the basket against the bottom with the seams lined up. Pin.

Sew across the corner seam.

Repeat to make both basket pieces.

Tip: this next step will ensure that your basket lining and basket exterior are stuck together so you don’t get a baggy bottom!

4. Place the bottoms of each piece together with the corner seams and the bottom seams lined up.

Clip or pin the corner seams together on each side (separately).

5. Sew the lining corner and the exterior corner together by sewing right all the way across the corner seam on top of the previous stitching.

Repeat on the other side of the basket so that the lining is attached to the basket exterior along both bottom corner seams..

6. Pull the lining up and around the exterior of the basket. Line up and clip (or pin) the top edges together, matching the side seams.

7. Sew around the top edge of the basket, 1/8’’-1/4’’ from the top edge.

If your sewing machine has a free arm, you can use it to help you sew around the outside top edge.

OR if you prefer not to use a free arm, you may sew around the inside top edge of the basket instead.

All done! I love to see the things that you make with my tutorials so make sure you post a picture to Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or #sewcanshe.

If you like this free sewing pattern, you’ll love these 9 DIY Baskets to Make.

Happy sewing,

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