Gathered Round Basket Tutorial

This sewing tutorial shows you how to make a gathered round basket from a single fat quarter of fabric, perfect fabric basket for storage or as a gift idea.

How To Make a Gathered Round Basket

When you need another fabric basket even though you already have lots, make this gathered round basket.

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You can never have too many baskets, especially for organizing stuff around the house. Every basket has a purpose.

Supplies To Make a Round Basket

This project uses only one fat quarter-size piece of fabric to make two pieces of fabric circles.

Use a larger piece of fabric to make a larger basket. You can adjust the fabric strip measurement for the binding once you finish the gathered top edge.

2 of 10″ diameter fabrics (25.4 cm diameter)
1 of 10″ diameter fusible fleece (25.4 cm diameter)
1 of 2.5″ x 10″ fabric for the basket handle (6.35 cm x 25.4 cm)
1 of 2.5″ x 18″ fabric for the binding (6.35 cm x 45.7 cm)
Disappeared ink fabric marker. I use this dual purpose fabric marker.
Quilting clips or pins
Thread
Hand sewing needle
Scissors
Sewing machine
Clothes iron

Gathered Round Basket Tutorial

The video tutorial is also available. Click on this link to watch the Gathered Round Basket Video Tutorial on my YouTube channel and subscribe for more videos.

To make the basket handle, fold the smaller rectangular fabric in half lengthwise, open it, then fold both long edges toward the center fold line, then fold it again so that the frayed edge is inside the fold. Topstitch along both long edges, and divide it into two pieces of 5″ (12.7 cm) each.

To make the binding, fold the fabric in half, then unfold it. Fold both long edges toward the center fold line. Press it with a clothes iron.

To make the basket, place the fusible fleece on the wrong side of the front panel fabric and press with a clothes iron to fuse it.

Pin the other fabric piece with the wrong side of both fabrics facing each other then sew along the edge with a 0.25″ seam allowance.

Use a hand sewing needle and a basting stitch along the edge. A basting stitch is long, loose, and temporary, used to gather the fabric before you sew it into a permanent seam.

You can also use a sewing machine for basting by setting the stitch length to the longest setting. I tried using the machine, but because the material is too thick with the fusible fleece, the thread kept breaking when I pulled both threads to gather the edge. So, I found it easier to use a hand sewing needle.

Pull the thread end while you hold the fabric edge. It should create a ruffle edge by now and resemble a bowl. You can determine the basket rim diameter. I made mine around 15″ (38 cm) in diameter.

Knot the thread to keep the ruffle in place, then use the sewing machine to sew the ruffle edge.

Pin the basket handle on the outer side of the basket rim. Sew it in place.

Pin the binding fabric along the rim from the outer side of the basket, and fold one end to hide the frayed edge. Then pin the other end over the folded end. Trim the binding if there is some extra length. You will need lots of pins or quilting clips.

Sew the binding along the fold. Then fold the binding over to the inside of the basket rim. Fold the frayed edge, then pin it. Sew it again, making sure the stitch catches the binding edge on the outer side of the basket.

The gathered round basket is now ready to use.

How To Use The Fabric Round Basket

The basket has so many purposes. You can use it for storage or decoration.

Use it as a hair accessories storage basket. All those cute hair ties, scrunchies, and hair clips will be easy to find, all in one basket.

Use it as a treasure trinket basket. Put those small souvenirs like pins, keychains, or anything you brought from travels in the basket.

Use it as a storage basket for small items throughout the house, like keys. It is also great for sewing room storage for small items like thread, bobbins, seam rippers, small scissors, or anything you need when you’re sewing a project.

Use it as a treat holder for gift giving, or make the gathered round basket a DIY gift idea.

This fabric basket is easy to make from just two fabric circles. #fabricbasket Share on X