Basket liners are nothing new but they are a great way to protect the items you store in baskets from falling through the open weave or in the case of large laundry size baskets to protect your clothes from getting caught on the weave. Each basket liner is as different as the basket which means that there is rarely a exact or set size for basket liners and they are more a process than they are pattern. So while I have outlined how I did mine there are a million ways to do this so don’t get too hung up on the process.
That said, larger sections of cutter quilts make fantastic basket liners for everything from bread baskets up to large storage trunks. If your basket is quite open weave turn the quilt so you can see the quilt pattern through the sides of the basket(like how I did mine) and if not, position the liner so you enjoy the pattern on the inside of the basket between uses.
- The first step is measure your basket to get idea of how much cutter quilt you will need. Add 3+ extra inches to this for making the turned top cuff.
- For a square basket locate and mark the corners, for a round basket sketch the bottom to the wrong side of the quilt.
- For square baskets cut on the diagonal from the out side to the point. While there are other methods for totally square baskets most baskets are not totally square and this method gives you some wiggle room so you don’t screw it all up.
- Fit the liner in the basket and fold away the extra fabric marking with pins. Sewing along that line with a LARGE BASTING STITCH, then refit the liner, make adjustments and then cut away the excess leaving a 1 inch seam allowance.
- Turn in the correct orientation and check for fit, if it is all good go back and resew the basted stitches with a shorter stitch and then zigzag down the seam allowance.
- Fit the liner in the basket and secure at the bottom if needed then fold over the top and trim around leaving 2-ish inches of overhang. Turn this under and stitch to form cuff around basket to secure.
Most thrift stores are over flowing with baskets full of potential if you are short on extra baskets at home!- Have fun!
Next week is our last Cutter Quilt project.. see you then!
