Drab wicker baskets shape up with fabric

A pretty fabric and covered lid can add flair to an otherwise drab wicker basket. The family will always know it is a special day when they see it on the counter being filled with their favorite summer treats.

Wicker baskets are rarely a perfect shape, but when covered with fabric the irregularities are covered up. Quilted fabric is excellent for covering a basket. Freezer paper can be used to draft the pattern pieces.

Start with the basket liner. Take a piece of paper larger than the size of the inside of the basket. Lay the paper in the bottom of the basket. Hand press the paper around the interior of the basket. Remove the paper, straighten the lines as you draw out the pattern and add a 1/2-inch seam allowance around the edge. Measure around the inside top and bottom of the basket. Use the largest measurement and add a 1/2 inch for the basket and then add a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Cut out the two panels. Sew the side seam and attach the inside panel to the bottom panel. Sew a 2-inch hem on the top of the inside panel.

For the outside basket cover, place a piece of paper under the basket and trace around the bottom allowing at least 1/2 inch for ease plus a 1/2-inch seam. Measure from the top to the bottom of the outside. Cut out the two panels. Sew the side seam and attach the outside panel to the bottom panel. Sew ruffled fabric or ruffled lace to the top seam line.

Measure the width of the handle and cut two facing pieces four times the width of the handle by 8 inches long. Place right sides together and sew the sides with a 1/4-inch seam. Turn to right side and press. Cut two strips of fabric for the top facing 3 1/2 inches long and half the width of the top of the basket. Hem the ends of the facing the same width of each basket handle. Pin the facings to the outside panel. Pin the facing tabs for the handle area in place on top of the facing and sew the entire facing in place.

Sew a 1-inch hem on the bottom of the two facings. Turn the handle facing to the inside and stitch in place to the outside panel. The remaining facing is turned to the inside of the basket and attached to the inside liner with small squares of Velcro so the cover and lining can be easily removed for washing.

For the hinged lid, place a piece of paper across the top of the basket. Cut out the area around the handle plus 1/2 inch for extra ease and hand press the outline of the top of the basket. Remove the paper and straighten the lines as you draw out the pattern and add a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Measure the width of the handle and cut two facings four times the width of the handle and 8 inches long. Place right sides together and sew the sides with a 1/4-inch hem. Turn to the right side and press.

Cut two panels of fabric for the lid cover. Cut one panel in half across the handle area and hem the cut edges 1 inch. Cut four pieces of 1/4-inch ribbon 30 inches long and two pieces of ribbon 6 inches long.

Place the solid piece panel right side up. Fold the four 30-inch ribbons in half and pin the fold of two ribbons inside each seam allowance at the handle area. The tails of the ribbons will be facing the inside of the panel. Fold the two 6-inch ribbons in half and pin in place at the center of the two ends. Place the two hemmed panels with the right side down on the top. Center and lay the facing tabs at the handle area.

Turn the panel over and sew around the entire panel. Cut slits to the corners of the handle area and trim around the inside of the seam allowance of the handle facing. Turn the handle facing to the inside and sew bottom of the tab in place. Turn the remaining facing and press.

To form a tunnel for the hinged area, cut a piece of fabric 2 inches wide to fit the area between the handles. Hem the ends 1/4 inch than turn under each side 1/4 inch and stitch in place on the bottom of the panel. Insert a piece of wood like a ruler or wooden paint stir into the tunnel to form the hinge.

Plastic canvas or cardboard can be shaped and inserted into the pockets underneath to form firm lids. Place the lid on the top of the basket and tie the ribbons around the handles two times and tie. Sew two buttons on the bottom cover below the end ties on the lid.