Quilting for the Home

Nifty Napkin Basket

Now you can create a fun basket for every occasion. Just think of all the compliments you’ll receive at your next gathering!

Design by Michelle Strassburg

Skill Level

Confident Beginner

Finished Size

Basket Size: Approximately 7½ × 7½ × 2"

Materials

•8 (4¼ × 12) A strips assorted prints and tonals

•1 (4¼ × 33) B strip print or tonal

•1 (2½ × 40) binding strip

•4 yards 1¾"-wide nonwoven sew-in stabilizer

•Thread

•Basic sewing tools and supplies

Project Notes

Read all instructions before beginning this project.

Stitch right sides together using a ¼" seam allowance unless otherwise specified.

Cutting

From stabilizer:

•Cut 8 (1¾ × 12) strips.

•Cut 1 (1¾ × 31½) strip.

Completing the Basket

1. Fold an A strip in half lengthwise with right sides together and stitch along one long side as shown in Figure 1 to make a tube. Turn tube right side out. Repeat with all A strips to make a total of eight tubes.

Figure 1

2. Referring to Figure 2, insert a same-length stabilizer strip inside each A tube. Note: Gathering the tube over a pair of needle-nose pliers will allow you to grab the stabilizer at one end and pull it through the tube.

Figure 2

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 using a B strip and the long stabilizer strip to make a B tube.

4. Bring ends of the B tube together. Push the fabric back, butt the stabilizer ends and, using a zigzag stitch, sew the ends together to form a loop as shown in Figure 3. Fold under one end of the fabric tube and pull it over the opposite raw edge so the stabilizer is completely covered; press and machine-stitch through all layers to secure.

Figure 3

5. Referring to Figure 4, arrange four A tubes vertically with long sides touching. Weave the four remaining A tubes over and under the vertical tubes.

Figure 4

6. Position the B loop around the edge of the woven section and clip or pin in place. Weave ends of A tubes into the B loop to form the basket sides as shown in Figure 5. Once all sides are woven, stitch around the top of the basket ⅛" from the edge to secure tubes. Note: Binding clips are an easy way to hold each A tube on the B loop as you are weaving.

Figure 5

7. Bind the top edge referring to Quilting Basics.

Nifty Napkin Basket

Placement Diagram Approximately 7½ × 7½ × 2"

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