Mini Fabric Storage Basket – Sewing Tutorial
The mini fabric storage basket is perfect for smaller items and is super easy to sew.
I like using mini fabric storage baskets in my sewing room for things like thread, scissors, sewing clips, and pins. These baskets are small enough I can keep them next to my sewing machine for the items I use all the time. Two fat quarters of fabric are all you need for these mini baskets!
You can sew two larger mini fabric baskets and two smaller mini baskets using two fat quarters of fabric. This sewing tutorial is for the larger of the two size baskets. Measurements are below for cutting the smaller basket.
Finished basket measurements: Large mini approximately 3.25″W x 3″H x 3.25″D and small mini approximately 2.25″W x 2″H x 2.25″D
Try these other fabric storage baskets for larger options: fabric baskets in three sizes and the rectangle fabric storage basket.
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***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 13 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Mini storage basket supplies needed:
- One outer fabric piece 10″x10″ – my favorite fabric shop
- One coordinating lining fabric piece 10″x10″
- Two outer fabric pieces 7″Wx2″H for the straps
- Fusible interfacing
- Batting
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Clear ruler
- Marking pencil
- Straight pins or sewing clips
- Sewing scissors
- Sewing machine
Measurements for cutting by size
Larger Mini Basket
- Outer fabric (1 piece) – 10″ x 10″
- Lining fabric (1 piece) – 10″ x 10″
- Outer fabric (2 pieces) – 7″W x 2″H
- Fusible interfacing (1 piece) – 10″ x 10″
- Fusible interfacing (2 pieces) – 7″W x 2″H
- Batting (1 piece) – 10″ x 10″
- Corners – 3″x3″
Smaller Mini Basket
- Outer fabric (1 piece) – 7″ x 7″
- Lining fabric (1 piece) – 7″ x 7″
- Outer fabric (2 pieces) – 5″W x 1.5″H
- Fusible interfacing (1 piece) – 7″ x 7″
- Fusible interfacing (2 pieces) – 5″W x 1.5″H
- Batting (1 piece) – 7″ x 7″
- Corners – 2″x2″
Cut the fabric pieces and batting
The above picture shows cut fabric for two of the larger size mini baskets, and straps for one basket (I apologize for any confusion).
Using your cutting mat, clear ruler, and rotary cutter, cut one piece of outer fabric and one piece of lining fabric each measuring 10 inches by 10 inches. Cut two pieces of outer fabric each measuring 2″W x 7″H for the straps. The finished straps will be ½-inch wide.
RULE OF THUMB: The width of the straps will need to be 4 times the width of the finished strap. For example, if you want your finished strap to be 1-inch wide, you need to cut the fabric 4-inches wide before folding.
You will be using the batting for the lining fabric. Cut one piece of batting measuring 10 inches by 10 inches. NOTE: you can use extra-firm stabilizer instead of batting – I prefer Pellon 926 Sew-In Extra-Firm Stabilizer for crafts.
Attach the fusible interfacing
Cut one piece of fusible interfacing 10 inches by 10 inches and attach to the wrong side of the outer fabric piece, following the package instructions. My go to fusible interfacing is Pellon P44F Fusible Interfacing. For this basket sewing project, the interfacing will provide extra durability to the outer fabric pieces.
Cut two pieces of fusible interfacing each measuring 2″W x 7″H for the straps. Attach the interfacing to the wrong side of each strap.
Add the batting
Place the lining piece on top of the batting, wrong side down.
Cut the corner squares
You are going to cut out 3-inch squares from each corner of outer and lining fabric pieces.
Starting with the outer fabric, place the fabric piece wrong side up.
Use your clear ruler and marking pencil to make a 3-inch square at each corner.
(I added purple lines to make the squares more prominent).
Cut out the squares along the marked lines using your sewing scissors.
Repeat the same process for cutting the corners of the lining fabric piece.
Make the mini basket straps
Once you have the interfacing attached to your mini basket straps, place one of the straps right side down on your ironing board.
Fold the strap in half lengthwise and press along the fold.
Open the strap back up and fold the outside edge to the center fold you just made and press.
Turn the strap around and repeat with the other outside edge and press.
Fold the strap in half again and press.
Using your sewing machine with matching thread, stitch along each edge lengthwise using about 1/8″ seam allowance.
The above picture shows what your mini storage basket should look like at this point.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 13 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Attach the straps to the basket
With the outer fabric piece right side up, place one of the straps at the top of the fabric, 3/4″ from each edge. Clip or pin to hold in place. Clip the other strap to the opposite side of the outer fabric. (See above picture).
Baste the straps to the outer fabric piece to hold in place.
Sew the baskets
To make the baskets, you are going to connect the corners from the cut out squares.
With right sides together, line up each raw edge and clip to hold in place.
Sew along each edge using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end.
After sewing the edges together, your mini storage baskets should look like the above picture.
Sew the baskets together
Turn the lining basket right side out. Keep the outer basket wrong side out.
Place the lining basket inside the outer basket, lining up the seams. The right sides of each basket should be facing each other and the straps should be in between the baskets.
Clip or pin to hold in place. Leave an opening for turning (on one of the sides that doesn’t have the straps attached).
Sew around the top using a 3/8″ seam allowance, leaving an opening for turning.
Turn right side out
Turn the mini storage basket right side out and push out the corners.
Push the lining inside the outer basket. Fold the opening in and press around the top of the basket.
Top stitch around the top to give it a finished look and to sew the opening closed. Press.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 13 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Pin for later!
You are finished!
I hope you enjoyed sewing these mini fabric storage baskets! Happy sewing!
