We have our fingers crossed winter is on its way out and spring is on its way. The kids have been asking me to get out our Easter decorations, so today seemed like a good day to do it and it just happened to be snowing again.  We were thinking if we decorated for spring, it has to come soon! The boys needed new Easter baskets and I wanted them big enough that the Easter Bunny could leave lots of books and puzzles along with a little bit of candy.  I thought I would share with you a tutorial on how to make these simple baskets

Supplies you will need for 1 basket

2 coordinating pieces of fabric 1/2 yard each or 3 fat quarters

 1/2 yard stiff interfacing- I used Pellon 71 F

Coordinating thread

Scissors/Rotary Cutter

 Marking Pen/Ruler

Iron

Use a 3/8th Seam

Step 1: Cut your Fabric and Interfacing

 Cut each of your fabrics 17 x 20 inches

   Cut your interfacing 17 x 19 inches and 1.5 x 16 inches

Cut the fabric that you want as your handle 4 x 16 inches

Step 2: Fold your outside fabric in half and pin the sides, then sew using a 3/8 inch seam.

Step 3: At the bottom take your corner and flatten out so it looks like above photo and then measure down 3.5 inches. Use your marking pen to draw a line across the bottom and pin. Repeat on the other side.

Step 4: Sew on the line that you made. Repeat on the other side.

Step 5: Cut  both  corners off about a 1/2 inch from the stitch you just created.  Now you can turn it right side out it should resemble a box.

Step 6: Iron your interfacing to your lining piece of fabric leaving 1/2 inch from each of the tops. After you have the interfacing applied repeat Steps 2-5 for the lining.

Step 7: Take your handle piece and fold it in have with right sides together. Then apply your piece of interfacing to one side.

Step 8: Turn your handle.

Step 9: Top stitch your handle down both sides.

Step 10. Pin your handle to your basket. I pinned it on both the end seams, but you could also pin it from side to side.

Step 11: With right sides together pin around the top. Make sure that you mark 3 or 4 inches where you will not sew, so you can turn your basket right side out.

Step 12. Sew around the top. Remember to leave 3 to 4 inches open.

Step 13: Turn your basket right side out.  Pin your opening closed. I usually iron the top to make the next step easier. You are almost done!

Step 14: Top stitch around your basket, making sure that you are closing the opening.

Step 15:  The final step I do is take a iron and iron my corners to make them crisp.

Enjoy your basket!  I am  thinking of all the ways I could use this basket around the house, maybe put two small handles on each side. It would be great for holding all my kids toys.

-Mandy