Car Basket Tutorial

Here it is. The Car Basket Tutorial. Why do I call it a basket?? Because, well, that's what I was originally intending for the car, but I had a hard time finding something that was just the right size. And I wanted something with some pockets. So I made my own "basket."

First, measure your space. How big do you want this sucker?? Me? I needed mine to be 13" square. So all of the instructions will be given to those dimensions. However, for your own, just measure your sapce and decide how big and then cut your panels one inch bigger than that. Now let's get started.

Here's what you'll need:
4- 14" squares of heavy weight fabric (something like canvas, or upholstery fabric)
5- 14" squares of medium weight fabric (anything from a good cotton to home dec. Mine was a recylced curtain)
1- 10" x 21" of the heavy weight fabric (for front pockets)
1- 12" x 18" of the heavy weight fabric (for book pocket)
1- 14" square of faux suede, or something else that is non-slip
5- 14" squares of  Peltex 71f single-sided fusible heavy stabilizer
4 yards coordinating double fold bias tape
Other obvious sewing notions that I am assuming that you have;)

**I used 1/2" seams on everything.

1. Iron Peltex stabilizer to the wrong side of your heavy weight fabric squares and faux suede.

2. Sew the bias tape to one of the long sides of your 10" x 21" piece (and toon eof the long sides of your 12" x 18" piece, while you're at it).

3. Find the center of your 10" x 21" piece and one of your Heavy weight squares and mark on the bottom with a disappearing pen. (yes, the bias tape is missing, that's because I did steps 2 and 3 backwards...trial and error right???)

 

4.  Line up the bottom edges at the the center markings and pin straight up the center.

5. Line up the side edges and pin.

6. Pleat the extra fabric to make two pockets and pin.

7. Sew along the 3 edges and down the middle, making two separate pockets.

8. Now take another heavy weight square and your 12" x 18" piece and you'll follow similar steps to make the book pocket. Pin the three sides and make a pleat in the bottom and sew the three sides.

9. Now sew your four sides together to make a box, right sides together.

 

10. Flip your box upside down and pin your faux suede right side down, to the bottom of your box. I didn't get a picture of this because I was trying not to bleed on everything, as I got some pinning injuries...Anyway, sew it all together. TIP: save yourself an injury and sew each side separately, meaning, sew one side, lift your needle, snip and move to the next side. Don't forget to back stitch all the ends! Turn right side out.

11. Now sew your 5 medium weight squares right sides together to make a box. (don't mind the double seams you see, remember that I upcylced a curtain for this...).

12. Put that inside your heavy weight box and pin on the bias tape along the top edge, leaving an extra 1.5" for overlap. 

13. Sew your bias tape to the box and you're...ummm...done! Aren't you proud??

If you make one, post it and let me know! I'd love to see it! 

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Happy Sewing!