Fabric Nesting Baskets Designer: Kristin Hoog         Three very cute fabric baskets designed to be large enough to hold a variety of items but nest out of the way when not in use. Great for storing quilting supplies, kids toys or odds and ends.  Make several for Holiday decorations. Make one size or all three.  Baskets are made with quilting cottons, but would also work well with denim, tapestry and upholstery. What will yours hold?     Materials 4 fat quarters A (blocks) 2/3 yard solid color B (main body) 1 yard thick fusible interfacing     Finished Sizes Small 4.5” x 5.5” X 4.5” Medium 5.5” X 6.5” x 5.5” Large 6.5” X 7.5” X 6.5”   Cut Fabrics From fat quarters cut 16 blocks in the following sizes For Small 3” X 3” For Medium 3.5” X 3.5” For Large 4” X 4”  From Sold color cut 2 in following sizes for main body For Small 10.5 X 10.5” For Medium 12.5 X 12.5” For Large 14.5 X 14.5”   From Interfacing cut 2 in the following sizes For small 10.5” X 15.5 “ For Medium 12.5 X 18.5” For Large 14.5 X 21.5”   Assemble Basket Pieces. Assembly steps the same for all sizes. ¼ inch seams throughout project. For All Baskets:   Sew 4 of the blocks together into strip. Press seams in one direction.  Make 4 as shown        Sew one strip of 4 blocks onto one side of large solid color square. Sew second strip onto opposite side.  Repeat for second large solid color block.  Press seam allowance towards strip of blocks.     You should have 2 pieces measuring 10.5 X 15.5” (small), 12.5”X18.5” (medium) or 14.5” X 21.5” (large)      Next fuse interfacing onto wrong side of both pieces. Top stitch ¼ inch from seam on block side to secure pressed seam.                      Fold block in half, right sides together, on longer side. Matching seams.  Sew sides leaving top open.      On both bottom corners measure and mark a 2.5” X 2.5” (small), 3” X 3” (medium) or 3.5” X 3.5” (Large) square.        Cut out square. (Do NOT freak!  It will get sewn and create bottom of basket!) Discard squares.              Now we need to box the corners.  To do this you will need to refold the bag, right sides still together.  Center side seams over bottom seam and pin raw edges together.  Sew a ¼ in seam perpendicular to bottom seam.  This will create the boxed corners.            Repeat steps for second side creating exterior.          Turn exterior basket piece right side out and insert it into exterior basket, right sides facing.  Matching seams and blocks pin around top edge and stitch leaving 2 blocks width open, approximately 5 inches for turning.          Turn basket right sides out through opening.  Push interior of basket into exterior.  Pin top edge of basket around entire circumference and topstitch.  This will close hole left open for turning. Press sides as best as you can to remove wrinkles made by turning.    (If looking for more stability in your baskets, a piece of plastic canvas may be inserted through opening, into the bottom to stiffen basket bottom.  Insert canvas before topstitching opening closed.)      For additional sizes repeat steps using pieces directed for that size.    
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