Round Nesting Baskets {Tutorial}

So are you all ready to start sewing your Baby Basket Cake?

Let's start things off by making the round nesting baskets, after all those cute baskets are what make this a cake. Now I made templates (below) for all of you to use. Just click on the highlighted link above each template and it will bring you to Scribd where you can print the templates. For those of you that have never used Scribd before it is really easy to use and just let me know if you run into any problems. I also want you to realize that these baskets may sound small but they hold a lot of goodies, trust me! So if you want to make a smaller cake, just make your baskets smaller. You can do that by shrinking the size of the templates. Just keep in mind that if you do shrink the size of the baskets you will also have to re figure the length of each piece of fabric cut which is easy to do. Just take a tape measure and measure all around the circle and then just add 1" for the sew seam allowance. And of course you can make your own templates at home by using a protractor and bowl. Just make sure the distances and between the three circles are evenly spaced or you will end up with wonky baskets not stacking perfectly.

Round Nesting Baskets Tutorial

(allow 2+ hours to complete)

Below are the templates you will need for the bottoms of the baskets. You will want to print all three pages off and tape them together so that they make a complete circle. The circle should line up perfectly with just some minor trimming of the boarder on the paper. Once taped together, start by cutting out the large circle. Then use the large circle to cut out your two pieces of fabric and one piece of batting. Then cut your template into a medium sized circle and cut out your two pieces of fabric and batting. Repeat with the small circle. That way you only have to print off one copy of each.
Nesting Baskets Template (page 1 of 3)

Nesting Baskets Template (page 2 of 3)

Nesting Baskets Template (page 3 of 3)

Materials Needed:

*1 1/2 yards fabric (I used two different fabrics just because I didn't have enough fabric for the inside and outside of baskets, but you can use just one fabric.)

*1 yard batting or stabilizer (I had to use insul-bright because that is all that I had on hand, but it worked great.)

**To make things easier for you, keep the pieces of fabric and batting cut out organized by basket sizes.**

Cut the following from the cotton fabric:

Large 11 1/2" basket: 2 pieces 38" x 6 1/2" & 1 round piece by using template above.

Medium 9 1/2" basket: 2 pieces 30" x 6 1/2" & 1 round piece by using template above

Small 7" basket: 2 pieces 23 1/2" x 6 1/2" & 1 round piece by using template above

Cut the following from batting or stabilizer:

Large 11 1/2" basket: 1 piece 38" x 6 1/2" & 1 round piece by using template above

Medium 9 1/2" basket: 1 piece 30" x 6 1/2" & 1 round piece by using template above<

Small 7" basket: 1 piece 23 1/2" x 6 1/2" & 1 round piece using template above
We will start by making the large 11 1/2" basket. Gather all of the pieces that you cut out for the large basket. Now take one round piece and one 38" long piece of fabric, along with the round and 38" long pieces of batting.
Place the 38" long piece of fabric right side up on top of the batting. Now fold the two edges together so that the fabric is right sides facing. Pin in place on edge.
Sew edge and make sure you backstitch. Now place the round piece of fabric right side up on top of the round piece of batting. Place a few pins in the middle of the circle. These are just to keep the two pieces together while you pin them the onto the tube in the next step below.
Pin the circle piece with the tube you just made together, right sides facing. Take your time and use lots of pins. This will make it easier to sew. Sew edge.
Your basket should look like this now.
Now take the remaining two pieces of fabric. Remember I used two different fabrics to make each basket.
Make a tube with the 38" piece of fabric by sewing the edge together.
Pin right sides together. Sew. Your piece will now look like this.
Turn right side out and carefully iron the edges of the circle. Pin the two baskets together by placing right sides together.
Sew, but make sure you leave a good 3" opening for turning right side out.
Turn right side out.
Iron edges flat.
Top stitch around top edge two times.
Now repeat the same steps with the medium and small basket pieces.


**Please feel free to use this tutorial for your personal sewing projects...not to sell in your etsy shop. You may link this to your blog and use any photo's. Just please be kind and give credit where credit is due. I put a lot of time into my designs and tutorials.**
Any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me. If you make one using this tutorial, please add it to my flickr group. I would love to see it!

See you in a few days with a tutorial so we can start filling your baskets!