Scalloped Edge Basket Tutorial + Pattern

PDF pattern and full tutorial! They’re perfect for gift-giving, for organizing and we also think they’d make lovely little Easter baskets.

The basket on its own is great for a little gift basket, or for collecting all of those little things in your house that need a home. It’s a good size, so it holds a lot without being too huge. 

Use it to hold household items or pretty notions in check, or choose to add a handle. The finished basket is 7” wide and 3 ½” high (not including the handle), making it perfect for your friend’s gift or your favorite child to carry around!

Materials:

1 Fat Quarter ** – Basket Outer *
1 Fat Quarter ** – Basket Lining + Scalloped Edge *
4” Square – Outer Base Fabric *
4” Square – Lining Base Fabric *
6”x 12” – Handle Fabric * (optional)
½ yard – Medium Weight Fusible Interfacing (20” wide)
1 Fat Quarter – Low Loft Quilt Batting
School Glue Stick OR Basting Spray
Ruler, Removable Fabric Marker, Other usual Sewing Supplies
Scalloped Edge Basket PDF Pattern Pieces
 

* Quilting cotton is recommended for all fabrics.
** Fabric measurements are generous.

Printing the Pattern Pieces:
Print the pattern piece PDF on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important: Make sure scaling is set to “None” or “Actual Size” when printing. Once you have printed the page, measure the 1″ test square to ensure the pattern is the correct size.

Cutting:

Pre-wash if desired. Press fabric.
Cut basket and scalloped edge fabrics, batting and interfacing as per instructions on the pattern pieces.
Cut one (1) 4” square base each from: outer fabric, lining fabric, batting and interfacing.

Cut one (1) 6” x 12” handle each (if desired) from: handle fabric + interfacing.

Before You Begin:
Interface the following pieces: Outer Basket, Outer Scalloped Edge, Outer Base, Handle (if desired).

Glue stick/spray baste batting to Basket Lining and Lining Base. (Note: I use a regular school glue stick to lightly adhere the batting and fabric together. A good press with an iron helps to lightly set the glue. It is best to apply the glue to your fabric, then adhere the batting to the fabric.)

Prepare the Handle (if desired):
1. Fold handle fabric in half lengthwise, press. Unfold and refold long edges to the centre, press.

2. Unfold one edge and insert the batting. Refold and fold the handle in half again, press.

3. Topstitch each edge and twice lengthwise down the center. Set aside.

Now Prepare the Scalloped Edge:
4. Fold outer scalloped edge in half right sides together and pin the short open edge.

5. Stitch pinned edge with 3/8” seam.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the scalloped edge lining.

7. Press both seams open. Turn lining right side out. Match up lining and outer scallop right sides together. (Note: They look similar, but will only match up one way.) Pin bottom (curvier) edge only.

8. Stitch bottom edge with a ¼” seam allowance. Pivot your sewing machine needle between scallops to create a nice sharp corner.

9. Notch your curves or use pinking shears to trim your seam allowance to aproximately 1/8”.

10. Turn the scalloped edge right side out. Press and topstitch close to the bottom edge, making sure to pivot between scallops. Set aside.

Prepare the Basket Sides:
11. Use a ruler to mark the basket outer and lining at each bottom corner (blue marks in photo). These marks will be used later when attaching the base.

12. Fold basket outer in half right sides together and pin the open edge.

13. Stitch the pinned edge with a 3/8” seam.

14. Repeat 12 and 13 for the basket lining.

15. Iron seams open.

Attach the Basket Base:
16. Line up one edge of the outer base right sides together between two corner markings on the outer basket. The outer base fabric will extend past each basket corner mark by ¼” on each side.

17. Pin the base fabric at each corner mark and once in the center. Pin the opposite side of the base in the same way.

18. Stitch between your two outer pins with a ¼” seam allowance. This will leave ¼” un-sewn on each end of your stitching line.

19. Line up each of the other 2 edges with the outer basket base. Pin and stitch them with a ¼” seam.

20. Trim the corners to reduce bulk.

21. Repeat steps 16-20 for the basket lining.

Now you’ll finish your basket!

22. Turn the outer basket right side out. Place the basket lining inside the outer basket (wrong sides together) matching the top edges, pin.

23. If you are adding a handle, pin it in the center of two opposite basket sides (see photo). If you are not adding a handle, skip to the next step.

24. Match the unfinished top edge of the scalloped edge with the top edge of the basket lining. Make sure you match the scalloped edge right side to the lining right side. Pin.

25. Stitch around the top edge of the basket, securing the handles (if applicable) and the scalloped edge. Use a ¼” seam. Make sure to pivot between the scallops and stitch slowly over the handles.

26. Use a wide zig-zag stitch to finish the unfinished top edge.

27. Turn the scalloped edge right side out. Press well.

Congratulations, you now have a beautiful fabric basket! Enjoy.