Basket Remodel

I have a weakness for orphan baskets... Baskets that have had hard days and been tossed aside... I found this one at our Goodwill... and my boys thought I was crazy... The pictures don't show how dirty it is, but the plastic cover on the gingham is filthy... They were also concerned that I hadn't "noticed" the missing lid...

I noticed the missing lid and the cat chewed handle... but it was only $1.99 and I couldn't pass it by... I could see how useful it could be with a little remodel.

(Cat Chewing)

(Half a lock... clearing pointing to the fact that it was missing a lid)

The first thing I did was remove the old cover and then the half a lock... Look at how they held the little lock on... brads that look like rivets. (Isn't that clever.)

I cut apart the cover to form a pattern. That way I could make a new lining...

I already had this white fabric... so I decided I would use it to line the basket... I have a hard time chosing a print when I know something is going to serve a useful purpose. I am always worried that I will grow tired of a print over time...

I sewed up the four side seems and tried it on the basket... Even though I used the original as a pattern the new cover seemed a bit small. At first I was going to make a ruffle... and so I cut strips of fabric to gather... I changed my mind about a ruffle and decided I would just make a turned edging instead.

(Oh my, my ironing board is icky and needs a new cover... it is amazing what you see when you take a photo of something you look at everyday.)

After I removed the gathering, I realized the fabric I chose really had the tendency to fray... But with a completely finished edge it won't matter, no matter how much use the basket gets.

Ta Da... it is finished and ready to start a new life... Don't pass by that ugly basket... it could turn into a wonderful addition to your storage...