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February 22, 2016 —

Make: reversible fabric buckets

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Storage is a constant battle for most people in their homes, and here at 91 we love looking out for great solutions to this problem; whether it’s vintage boxes or tins, contemporary wire baskets or ideas that we can actually make with our own fair hands. This great project by Katy of Apartment Apothecary involves a simple printmaking technique and a little bit of sewing, with the result being some super stylish fabric buckets, ready to be filled with any bits and bobs you need to tidy away quickly – craft supplies, stationery, toys or even your make up and cosmetics.

Photo: Katy Orme

Photo: Katy Orme

What you’ll need: 

  • Two pieces of calico for outside of bag 40 (h) x 30 (w) cm
  • Two pieces of heavy weight interfacing 40 (h) x 30 (w) cm
  • Two pieces of lining fabric 40 (h) x 30 (w) cm – I used Koi Cloud fabrics, Smile and Wave print
  • Ruler and fabric pen or chalk to make and mark boxed corners
  • Tape measure and scissors to cut pattern
  • Black fabric paint and pencil with round eraser tip to print calico
  • Plastic sheet to protect table whilst printing calico
  • NOTE: All seam allowances are 1cm.

How to make:

Step 1: Personalise the calico by hand printing polka dots using the eraser tip of a pencil. Protect your table with plastic sheeting (or use a bin liner). Dip the eraser into the paint and print onto fabric, making sure you press firmly and that all of the eraser comes into contact with the fabric. Print polka dots – no pattern is necessary, just random spots look great. Follow the instructions on your paint to fix the colour. This really is as easy as it looks!

L: step 1 / R: step 3

L: step 1 / R: step 3

Step 2: Attach the interfacing to the calico pieces by following the manufacturer’s instructions. I used iron-on heavy weight interfacing to make it as rigid as possible so the bucket will stand on it’s own.

Step 3: Place the two calico outer pieces right sides together and sew the two sides (40cm) and bottom (30cm).

Step 4: Pull out the sides of the bucket and line the marks up. Draw a line across the corner and sew along the line (I do a double row of stitching to strengthen). Cut off corner and repeat on the other side of the bucket. Press seams out and turn the bucket right sides out.

 

Step 4

Step 4

L: Step 5 / R: Step 7

L: Step 5 / R: Step 7

Step 5: Place the two pieces of lining fabric right sides together and sew the two sides (40cm) and bottom (30cm), but this time leave a 10cm gap in the middle of the bottom pieces.

Step 6: Make boxed corners by repeating step 4. Press seams out but don’t turn the lining rights sides out.

Step 7: Place the calico outer inside the lining i.e. the right side of the calico outer should be next to the right side of the lining. Make sure you line up the seams and boxed corners. You also need to line up the top edges of the lining and the calico bucket.

Step 8

Step 8

Step 8: Sew the top edges of the lining and the outer bucket. Cut away any seam allowance.

Step 9: Gently pull the outer bucket through the 10cm gap in the lining.

Step 9

Step 9

Step 10

Step 10

Step 10:Press the top edge of the bucket and topstitch all the way round. Turn over as much or as little of the top of the bucket as you want to and the buckets are fully reversible if you fancy a change.

N.B. Instructions are for the medium 32 (h) x 26 (w) cm fabric bucket (pictured filled with balls of string).

Dimensions for the other sized fabric buckets:

  • Finished large bucket (pictured filled with wrapping paper) 40 x 35 cm – use 50 x 38 cm pieces of fabric and interfacing. Measure the boxed corners 10cm from corner.
  • Finished small bucket (pictured filled with embroidery flosses) 28 x 22 cm – use 34 x 26 cm pieces of fabric and interfacing. Measure the boxed corners 6cm from corner.
  • Finished extra small bucket (pictured filled with paint brushes)16 x 14 cm – use 24x 18 cm pieces of fabric and interfacing. Measure the boxed corners 4cm from corner. The gap in the lining should only be 7cm.

Photo: Katy Orme

Photo: Katy Orme

Photo: Katy Orme

Photo: Katy Orme

They are just gorgeous aren’t they?! I love that you can make them in different sizes to meet your requirements. If you do give this lovely project a go then please do share your results on Instagram and tag us in – @91magazine with the hashtag #91magazine_craft 

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