How to Make Coiled Fabric Baskets
Coiled baskets have been made for hundreds of years. Skilled craftsmen, using pine needles and sweet grass, created them. Some of them were woven so tightly they could carry water. Now, using fabric, it's easy for anyone to make their own. Coiled fabric baskets can be given as gifts or used around the house.
Things You'll Need
- 11/2 yards fabric cut or ripped into 1/2-strips (across grain)
- 3 yards of 1/4-inch cotton piping
- Scissors
- Plastic tapestry needle
Instructions
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Instructions
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1
Thread the needle with a material strip, leaving 11/2 inches of material for overhang. Start wrapping around the piping, keeping it tight. Slightly overlap the ends when you're adding a new piece.
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2
After wrapping 3 inches of piping, curl the wrapped piping into a tight spiral. Sew the spiral together by weaving the needle through the inner and outer coils, making a "stitch." Continue sewing, at 1-inch intervals.
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3
When you have a 3-inch circle, make the sides of the basket by stacking the coils vertically. Keep stacking until you have reached the desired height.
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4
Continue sewing the inner and outer coils together every inch or so. Make sure to keep the stitches tight.
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5
Finish the basket by wrapping the end of the piping and sewing it to the coil under it. Embellish it with ribbons, dried flowers or buttons.
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1
Tips & Warnings
To make a basket with straight sides, coils should be placed precisely above the preceding row. To make a basket with slanting sides, coils should be placed slightly over the preceding row. You can use different fabric scraps to make the basket more interesting. This is a great way to recycle material.
The material must be kept tight when wrapping and sewing the basket.
