Love working with denim? Then you don’t want to miss this super handy organizer from Deborah Bagley. Perfect for storing your sewing notions like patterns and embroidery hoops, this easy sewing project can be made in a single afternoon. Finish your denim basket pattern with sturdy leather handles and a matching denim flower!
Skill Level: Easy
Finished Size: 10 1/4” x 6” x 6 1/2”
Time: 2-3 hours
Seam Allowance: 1/4”
Materials:
- Fabrics:
- Denim – cut 2 – 10” x 17”
- Lining fabric – cut 2 – 10” x 17”
- Stabilizer – ultra firm, fusible – cut 2 – 9 1/2” x 16 1/2”
- Leather strip – cut 2 – 3/4” x 5 1/2”
- Chicago screws – 4 – 6mm (1/4 in)
- Washers, SAE #6 – 4
- *Optional* PDF Flower Templates – These are located at the bottom of this page. Please see printing instructions below.
PRINTING INSTRUCTIONS:
Note: To download the templates, click on the pattern download button at the bottom of the page. We recommend opening your pattern download using Adobe Acrobat.
Instructions:
BASKET:
- Cut out a 3” square on the bottom right and left edge on the 17”/16 1/2” side on all 6 pieces (2 denim, 2 lining and 2 stabilizer).
- Center a piece of stabilizer on each piece of denim and iron together.
- Sew the stabilizer to the denim horizontally 3 1/4” from the bottom, and vertically 3 1/4” from each side.
- With right sides facing, sew the two denim pieces together along the bottom 11” edge.
- Open and press the seam open. Top stitch the seam down on both sides approximately 1/8” from the seam.
- With right sides facing, sew a piece of lining to each 17” end of the denim.
- Open and press the seam open.
- Fold entire project in half so like fabrics align.
- Sew the lining together 3” on each side of the 11” edge leaving the center open for turning project right side out. Adjust lining to iron the seam open. Realign fabrics.
- Sew both 13 1/2” sides, denim to denim, and lining to lining.
- Line up the side seam with the bottom seam to square each corner, sew two seams on the lining and two on the basket. Turn right side out.
- Punch a 4mm (1/16”) hole on each end of the leather with a leather punch.
- Use the seam ripper to make small holes on the short sides of the basket (not the lining) approximately 1 1/2” to the right and to the left of the center seam and 2” from the top. Use a pencil to make the hole round and big enough for the Chicago screw to fit through. Place the front of the screw in the leather and insert it in the hole. Use the opening in the lining, place a washer on the screw end and screw together.
- Ladder stitch the lining closed.
- Top stitch the lining and basket together around the top edge of the basket about 1/8” from the seam.
DENIM FLOWER:
- Cut 8 flower petals, 4 small and 4 large, using the Denim Flower Petal Template.
- For each petal, roll the larger petal end to the back to make a curve. Roll the smaller end to the front to curve forward. You can also roll the petal on a pen and spray starch it while it is on the pen.
- Spray starch each petal and let dry in the curled position.
- Stack the 4 small petals one top of the other to make a plus-like arrangement so the small ends overlap. Use needle and thread to sew them together. Repeat for the larger petals.
- Place the small set of petals on top of the larger set so they are offset. Use needle and thread to sew together.
- Sew a button in the middle of the flower. Hot glue or sew the flower to the basket.
