https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/picnic-basket • Posted by Cat Morley
It was our friends Keava & Rosa's wedding at the weekend, so I decided to make them their own custom picnic basket as a gift, inspired by a lovely picnic we had for them in the summer. It is lined with custom Zazzle fabric, has straps for buckling in plates, napkins with pockets for cutlery and their initials painted on the front. I hope they like it!
It was our friends Keava & Rosa's wedding at the weekend, so I decided to make them their own custom picnic basket as a gift, inspired by a lovely picnic we had for them in the summer. It is lined with custom Zazzle fabric, has straps for buckling in plates, napkins with pockets for cutlery and their initials painted on the front. I hope they like it!
For this project, you'll need a basket and a thin piece of wood cut to the same size as the inside of the basket.
Cut a rectangle of fabric three times the width of your basket and a few inches taller.
Fold the right edge of the fabric in (with the wrong side facing up) by 1/2" and then in by another 1/2" and pin.
Repeat with the top and bottom edges too, pining in place.
Sew these edges in place.
Place in your basket and fold under the final edge until the fabric fits perfectly. Pin and sew the final edge.
Make two smaller rectangles to the size of the back and front of the inside of the basket, fold and pin.
Sew the two side rectangles to the lining, creating a box shape.
Place neatly inside the basket.
Using fishing line and a needle, stitch along the top of the lining fabric, stitching it along the weave of the basket.
Make sure the lining is all secure.
We're not going to make the top of the basket, so get your piece of wood ready.
Cut a rectangle of fabric three times the width of your wood and an inch taller at either side.
Fold the top and bottom edges over by 1/2" and then by another 1/2" and pin.
Pin the top edge too.
Sew along these edges.
Now fold the bottom edge up, creating a pocket 3/4" the height of the wood, pin the top edge and sew the edge. Pin the side of your fabric and sew.
Slip the wood inside the fabric, pin the second edge and sew.
Cut two rectangles of fabric double the width of the wood and 4" tall to make straps for the plates.
Fold the top and bottom edge over by 1/4", fold the strap in half and pin.
Sew along the edges of the straps.
Cut one of the straps in half and pin a buckle in between the two edges.
Sew the buckle in place.
Place the straps in a cross over the plates.
Pin the bottom edges of the straps to the bottom of the baking rectangle.
Cross the straps over the two plates and pin inside the pocket.
Lay the baking on the lid of your basket and try closing it, to make sure the plates are hanging in the right place.
Place the plates to one side for a moment.
Mark the center of the strap, where it goes under the pocket with an x and drill a hole through the fabric and wood.
Tie a length of wire through a cute button and slip it through the hole.
Slip a small button on the other side of the board and tie the wire. Repeat for both straps.
Stitch the backing to the lid of your basket with fishing line.
Make sure it's nice and secure.
Cut a length of chain and stitch it between the lid and bottom of the basket to stop the lid from folding back. Repeat at the other side.
Cut two rectangles of fabric for napkins measuring roughly 14" x 14", fold over each edge by 1/2" and then by another 1/2" and pin in place. Cut two more rectangles measuring 7" x 11" and fold the top edge over by 1/2" and then another 1/2" and pin in place. Cut two lengths of ribbon measuring 18".
Pin the ribbon on the middle of the back of the napkin.
Stitch the ribbon in place at the center.
Sew the top edge of the half rectangles in place.
Slip the half rectangle inside the napkin, placing it under the bottom edge and sides. Re-pin.
Sew around the edges of the napkin.
Place your cutlery in the napkins pocket.
Roll up the napkin and tie the ribbon in a bow.
Buckle your plates in place and slip the napkins into the pocket at either side.
Fill the basket with treats.
Finally, paint the front of the basket with initials if you're hoping to give it as a wedding gift.