Coiled Fabric Baskets

Figure A Figure B

A frequent guest to the show, Barbara Burnett of Design Originals, provides a clever way of using up leftover scraps of cloth or ribbon. Barbara weaves strips of these materials and coils them into a decorative yet functional "recycled" basket that can be used to hold magazines, casserole dishes, etc.

Note: These instructions are an abbreviated version that appeared in a booklet by Design Originals.

Materials:

3/4" coiling/fabric
ribbon or strips of fabric
large-eye plastic needle

Steps:

1. Tear strips of fabric, then wrap them around the coiling.
2. Wind the coiling around in a circular pattern, keeping it flat, with the edges of the coiling firmly against one another to form the bottom of the basket (figure A).
3. When the base is the desired size, begin to wind the coiling up to create the sides. Layer the coil so that it "builds" upon itself (figure B). Use a plastic needle to stitch and hold the coiling in place as it is wrapped.
4. Pull the fabric tight to ensure that the basket keeps its shape.