How to Make an Anthropologie-Inspired Laundry Hamper

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Hampers are usually an afterthought: they're the overshadowed halfway point between a closet full of cute clothes and an effort to get laundry done. But why not give the humble hamper a few style points and create one inspired by Anthropologie? Using a trendy fabric for the outer shell and a couple of wooden dowels for handles, you can sew one together that will be chic and functional. After all, there's no reason your hamper can't be both.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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Things You'll Need

  • 28 inches of webbing (or an old belt)

  • Measuring tape

  • Sharp scissors

  • Fabric glue

  • Two 5 inch wooden dowels

  • Tailor's chalk

  • 1 yard of heavy coordinating fabric for the base

  • 3/4 yard of 56 1/2-inch-wide heavy outer fabric

  • 3/4 yard of 56 1/2-inch-wide heavy lining fabric

  • 2 1/2 yards of 21-inch-wide heavy interfacing

  • Straight pins

  • 100/16 sewing machine needle

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 1: Cut Four Straps

Cut the webbing into four pieces that are 7 inches long. If you're into repurposing, you can reuse a thrift store belt.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 2: Create Handles

Apply fabric glue to bottom part of the webbing. Place the wooden dowel onto the glue and tightly roll the webbing around the dowel. Do the same thing to the other side, making sure the two sides are even. Then, repeat this process with the other handle. When you're finished, place something heavy on top of the handles to secure them in place and let them dry overnight.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 3: Measure and Cut the Base

Cut the yard of base fabric in half. Then, to create the circle base, fold one piece of the base fabric into fourths. Starting from the corner of the folds, use your measuring tape and chalk to mark a 9 1/4-inch curved line from the corner. Cut along the curved line, and when you open the fabric, you'll have a circle. Repeat this step with the other piece of base fabric so you have two circles. Then, use one of the circles as a pattern to cut out one circle from the heavy interfacing.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 4: Measure and Cut the Side Fabric

Cut the outer fabric, lining fabric and heavy interfacing into 21 inch x 56 1/2-inch pieces.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 5: Pin, Sew and Press Side Seam

Fold the outer fabric in half, widthwise, with the right-sides together. Pin along the raw edges, and then sew a 1/2-inch seam to form a tube of fabric. Be sure to remove the pins as you sew. Press the seam open with an iron.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 6: Pin and Sew the Base to the Bottom

With right-sides together, pin and sew the base to the bottom of the outer fabric tube.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 7: Create the Lining

Place the heavy interfacing on the wrong side of the lining fabric and repeat steps 5 and 6 to create the lining. When sewing the base to the lining tube, as in step 6, leave an 8-inch opening.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 8: Attach Handles to the Side

Place the handles on opposite sides of the outer fabric tube, and 1-inch down from the top edge. Pin and sew the bottom 2 inches of each handle in place. Sew a rectangle, and then to reinforce the handle, sew an "X" inside each square. Be careful to only sew through one side of the fabric.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 9: Place Lining Inside the Outer Shell

The right-sides of the fabric should be facing, with the outer fabric tube right-side out and the lining tube inside-out. Place the outer tube inside the lining tube. Pin and sew a 1/2-inch seam around the top edge. Be sure to have the handles down so that they are out of the way.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 10: Pull Everything Through the Opening

Pull everything through the opening in the bottom to turn it right-side out.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 11: Pin and Sew the Opening

Tuck the raw edges inside the bottom opening, then pin and sew to close.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 12: Place Lining Inside Outer Shell

Tuck the lining inside the outer shell.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 13: Press the Hamper

Press the entire hamper flat, especially around the top edge.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 14: Topstitch Around the Top of the Hamper

Topstitch all around the top edge of the hamper to create a nice, crisp edge.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 15: Place Inside Your Closet

Now you have a hamper that is as chic as your wardrobe!

Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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