How to Make a “Project Runway” Basket Liner

I had no idea what draping was (as it pertains to clothing design) before I saw the designers on Project Runway physically drape their dress forms with fabric to construct their garments. Although I don’t sew clothes anymore, I’m still an avid home-decor item sewer, so when I saw all that draping happening, I thought, “Duh…basket liner!” The technique couldn’t be simpler, and although I made a liner for a rectangular basket (a large Waterhyacinth basket from Pier 1), it would work equally well for a round/oblong one too. So this is what I did…

Step 1:  I turned my basket over to use as a dress form. Then, using leftover white denim I had in my stash, I cut a long rectangle to go from the left side, bottom and right side of the basket, making sure I had about 4 inches excess at the basket’s top edge (facing down in the picture).

Step 2: Then I cut two pieces for the front and back of the basket, also making sure I had about 4 inches excess at the basket’s top edge. These two pieces I pinned to the longer piece from step 1.

Step 3: Using about 1/2″ seam allowances, I sewed up the four corners and the two bottom seams and pinked them when done.

Step 4: To finish up, I turned down the top seam 3/4″, pressed, and then turned it down and pressed again, pinning it into place.  I sewed near the first fold to form a gusset (leaving a 2″ access hole) and then ran a length of 1/2″ elastic through. When the elastic felt taught but not too taught, I sewed its ends together, and then I sewed up the access hole.

Here’s a picture of a ‘dry fit’.

And here’s the result!  A nicely fitted basket PERFECT for my current yarn project. I love its functional yet decorative quality. A MUST when you like to leave your knitting within arms length when watching Project Runway.