• Home
  • Shop
    • All Items
    • Sewing Patterns
      • Printed Sewing Patterns
      • Digital Sewing Patterns
      • Seat Belt Sewing Patterns
    • Seat Belt Sewing Patterns
    • Seat Belt Project Kits
    • Seat Belt By-the-Yard & Swatches
    • Hardware
    • What’s On Sale
  • Galleries
  • Blog
  • Revisions
  • Wholesale
  • Contact
  • FAQ’s
  • My Account
  • Cart

cozy nest design

You are here: Home / Sew Along / Stair Basket Sew Along – Day 1 – Gathering Supplies!

Stair Basket Sew Along – Day 1 – Gathering Supplies!

Sew Along· sewing patterns· tutorial

26 Jun

Hello!  I am so happy you are here. Whether you are sewing along with me as I post these tutorials,  or have stumbled across them after the fact,  I hope you feel free to post comments and questions. I am here to help!

This pattern, The One-Trip-Up Stair Basket, is easily my favorite project because it makes my life easier and I just wouldn’t want to live without it! It’s unsafe to place things on our stairs that need to up or down because they are a trip hazard, not to mention unsightly. This basket is the perfect place to set things until you get around to taking them where they belong. 

bird basket

Today’s installment is about the supplies and fabrics you will need for your basket.  Below there is information on how to find the plastic canvas sheets you need and an item to add to your shopping list that isn’t in the pattern. The actual sew-along posts will start on July 14th – that will give you some time to gather everything you need!

If you haven’t yet, you can get the One-Trip-Up Sewing Pattern here. 
I would also encourage you to get some design ideas by checking out the stair basket gallery.

Supplies:  

One of the items you need for this project is the plastic canvas. It is used to create the internal frame of the basket.  Here’s what we are hunting:
33018

Specifically it is Darice’s Ultra Stiff Plastic Canvas Sheets – 7 Mesh 22-1/2 x 13-5/8″ . Make sure it is the Ultra Stiff!  I find them locally at Hobby Lobby and they have them on Hobby Lobby online as well.  They are more expensive online (why, i don’t know),  plus you have to pay the shipping. The frame is the last part of the pattern so there is plenty of time to track some down.
UPDATE 4/24/20:  Hobby Lobby is currently sold out. Here are a few other places online that I was able to locate this product:
Amazon: this is a handy pack of 6. This is also an affiliate link so I will get a few cents with no cost to you if you go this route. 
Michaels
Schaefer Hobby Shop
Art Cove Crafts
Consumer Crafts

The pattern calls for 3-5 sheets and I would suggest going with 5 – it makes the basket all but indestructible. If you only have 3 – that is ok. The one I have in my house only has 3 and it has been with us for about 5 years!

Another supply you should consider getting are these:

it1m_c_image_1

These are 1/8″ cable ties. It doesn’t matter how long they are but they do need to be the tiny 1/8″ wide ones.  I found that using these to build the plastic canvas frame instead of the yarn called for in the pattern,  makes the frame even stronger and more stable.  They are cheap and can be found at home improvement stores, Walmart or on Amazon (affiliate link).


Fabric:  For me choosing fabric can  take as long as making the project!

You can use just about any fabric but you should avoid something incredibly thick if you plan on adding the pockets.  I have used all sorts – from regular ole’ quilt weight cotton to outdoor fabric –  to stuff was so industrial, I don’t know if it was technically even fabric (never again!).  My favorite is a medium weight home dec fabric.  I get a lot of them here: from Fabric.com and Bestfabricstore.com

To get some design ideas – check out the stair basket  stair basket  gallery.


Change:  

If you find your fabric before the sew along officially starts and want to cut your fabric, I have a different way of doing the handle than I put in the pattern. I think I prefer the new way and will show it in the tutorial.  If you want to try it with me, cut your handle pieces at 2 1/2″ wide instead of the 2″ that it instructs in the pattern. If you have already cut your handles to 2″, don’t worry, I’ll walk you through those instructions too.

Well, I think that’s it for now!  The sew-along posts will start on July 14th !  Let me know what questions you have! 

Here is the link to Stair Basket Sew Along – Day 2.

Until next time,

Sarah

8 Comments

Previous Post: « Make magnetic snap covers for your Convertible/Reversible Bag
Next Post: Stair Basket Sew Along starts tomorrow! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz S. says

    June 29, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    Sarah, the stair baskets are fabulous…
    …iI have to add it to my wish list.!!

    Log in to Reply
    • Sarah says

      June 29, 2014 at 9:56 pm

      Thanks Liz! I hope you can join us in making one starting July 14th. It’s always more fun to sew together!

      Log in to Reply
  2. Donna C says

    July 12, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    Just purchased your pattern from Craftsy and will be joining with you in the sew-along! This looks like a great project.

    Log in to Reply
    • Sarah says

      July 12, 2014 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks, Donna! I am so glad you are going to join in. I will be setting up a Facebook group if you want to join and chat along as well. I will post when it’s set up.

      Log in to Reply
      • Sarah says

        July 13, 2014 at 8:01 pm

        Donna, I have our Facebook group set up for the sew-along! If you want to join the chat, here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639937672769110/

        Log in to Reply
  3. Donna C says

    July 13, 2014 at 11:49 pm

    Thanks Sarah! I made your “Petals Cosmetic Bag” today from your free pattern on Craftsy. It came out really well… your directions are impeccable! The only change I made was to add a vinyl lining; I think it helps to keep the bag clean on the inside. It’s a gift for my boss who’s turning 60 tomorrow so I hope she likes it!

    Log in to Reply
    • Sarah says

      July 14, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      Oh, that’s great – I hope she loves it (I’m sure she will). Good call on the vinyl inside, that’ stuff is awesome! I should add that to the pattern because I think people forget about it. I know I do!

      Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Hello!

Thanks for stopping by! I’m Sarah. I love to design and write sewing patterns. It’s a great way to justify the absurd amount of fabric I own! I live in Kansas with my husband, 2 sons, a dog named Bear, and a 2″ tall parrrotlet named Cheepy. I hope you find something here that inspires you to break out your sewing machine.

Connect with me!

Facebook Pinterest Email instagram etsy

Don’t miss a post!

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Find me on Instagram!

Archives

  • February 2023
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • July 2020
  • April 2020
  • June 2018
  • January 2017
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • November 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • June 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • August 2012

Copyright © 2023 · Cozy Nest Design · Log in