Tag Archives: DIY picnic basket

DIY Picnic for Two: Part 3

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Are you ready for the next installment in our picnic project?  Now that we’ve made over our picnic basket (part 1) and sewn a removable liner (part 2), it’s time for some napkins!  In our house, we learned that you could never have too many napkins.  My mom was always armed with extras, so I decided to make two sizes.  piquenique

I made some cocktail napkins (above) and a full sized dinner napkin that could easily double as a place mat (below).  The cool thing about this project is that although these napkins look fancy, they are super cheap to make.  That yummy off-white fabric above?  Muslin. The black lace?  It’s hem facing. (The kind that comes in a pack at JoAnn’s for a couple of bucks.)  Grab some black and off-white thread, and you are ready to go.  This is a seriously quick and affordable project.

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Instructions: Cocktail Napkins

1) For each cocktail napkin, I cut out two squares of muslin (FRONT and BACK) that measured 8.75″ x 8.75″.  On the FRONT, I pinned a strip of lace hem facing 1.75″ from the edge.  Using black thread and a narrow zig zag stitch, I stitched the lace directly onto the muslin.

2) Pin the two squares right sides together (so the lace is facing IN).  Sew a 1/4″ seam around all four edges, leaving a 3″ gap on one side so you can turn your work.  Trim corners and flip the napkin right side out.  Press and turn under raw edges in the 3″ opening.

3) Top stitch along all 4 sides 1/8″ inch from the edge.  You’re done!

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Instructions: Dinner Napkins

1) The dinner napkin is a single piece of muslin 18″ x 18″.  As in step 1 for the cocktail napkin, sew the lace hem facing directly onto the muslin using a zig zag stitch.  Since the back of the fabric will be exposed, it is important to match your bobbin thread to the fabric.  (The top thread is still black.)  The photo below shows the back side of the napkin.  If you prefer, it would be simple to cut a second square to hide these stitches.

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2) Attach bias tape edge.  This link is a great tutorial for attaching bias tape (including how to make your own). I decided to use a very narrow bias tape (1/8″) and while I love the way it looks, it’s very tricky to miter the corners with such a narrow edge.  If flawless corners are critical for you, I might recommend a wider bias tape.

3) I normally finish my bias tape by hand, but in this case, I top stitched it instead.  The beautiful weather outside was just too good to ignore, so I went for the speedy option.  It turned out great.

There’s more picnic fun ahead including a picnic blanket, some insulated food wraps, and some glass etching!


P.S. – I haven’t tried washing these yet, but when I do I plan to wash them on the gentle cycle (cold water) and line dry.  This is how I treat all of my table linens, and I’m hoping it will help the lace trim hold up in the wash.

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By Kelly
August 3, 2010

2 comments

DIY Picnic for Two: Part 2

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Welcome back for Part 2 of the DIY Picnic project.  I’m taking this not-so-pretty sewing basket and giving it a make over.  Soon I’ll be ready for lazy weekends outside with my husband and a fat stack of pastries.

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Last week, I created a new fabric top and added a chalkboard.  This time, we’re tackling the inside.

What we’re bringing…

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I love the idea of using fancy china outside, but I have a stubborn practical streak too.  In the end, I went with lightweight and practical melamine for the plates and some reusable plastic containers to carry all of the food.  I will also be making over a few canning jars to carry jams, honey butter, and condiments.  The flatware came from Target.  My one concession to whimsy was this set of teacups picked up at Goodwill for $3.

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I had originally envisioned lots of pockets and straps to hold all of the dishes and flatware in place.  (There’s a cute version here.)   However, truth be told, this basket is not that tall, and everything just fit better if I arranged things in the middle.  I added a set of ribbon ties in each corner to hold the teacups in place.  Since the other items are not breakable, we’ll be sewing insulated hot and cold packs and a napkin roll for the flatware.   Now, back to the liner.

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The measurements and steps…

This is the quick and dirty version, so I hope that it all makes sense.  It does assume some sewing knowledge (if you’ve made a bag before, you should be good to go).  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.  However, I am thinking that if you do this project, you will have to customize it quite a bit to fit your basket so this is just a general guideline to follow and not a detailed tutorial.

1)  I measured the inside of the basket and pulled out my Swedish Tracing Paper to create a quick pattern.  I cut out the following pieces:

Picniclinerpattern2)  Next, I stitched the exterior of the picnic basket liner (just like if you were sewing the exterior of a handbag).  In this case, you will not see this part when you are finished, because it will be right up against the inside of the picnic basket itself.  Right sides together, I attached the FRONT, BACK, and SIDE pieces to the BOTTOM. I left a 5” opening along one of the bottom seams so I could flip my work later.  Then, I stitched all of the side seams closed.  Trim seams and turn, so that the right side of the fabric is facing out.

3) Repeat Step 2 to create the interior of the picnic basket liner.  Right sides together, sew the FRONT, BACK, and SIDE pieces to the BOTTOM.  However, this time, when you stitch the side seams together, you will sew in two sets of ribbon ties to hold your teacups in the back two corners of your basket.

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4) Next, create your ruffle trim.  I cut strips of fabric 2 1/4” wide in lengths of 28.5”, 6”, and 6” so that they would fit around the handles.  The back edge where the basket top is attached does not get a ruffle.   (See photo above for ruffle placement.)   I used the scallop stitch on my sewing machine in contrasting thread, and then trimmed the fabric to create a nice scallop effect.  I hemmed the exposed edges of the ruffles.  Where I needed to add ribbon ties, I stitched black ribbon right into the rolled hem.  To get the ribbon to lie flat, I top stitched it in place.

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5)  Create your ruffles by sewing a long basting stitch along the top edge of the ruffle.  Gather.

6)  Now you’re ready to assemble everything.  I found it was easiest to pin everything in place by actually assembling the layers in the picnic basket itself.  I set the exterior lining inside the interior, and pinned the ruffles in between the two layers of fabric.  It’s important that the ruffle is facing the correct way, so that when you turn your work, the front of the ruffle will be facing out.   Also, it helps to arrange more of the ruffle gathers in the corners so that they will lie flat.  Stitch along the top edge.  Turn your work and stitch the opening closed.  Voila, you are done.

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A few thoughts for next time:

  • If I did this again, I would make my ruffle a little wider.
  • I may add some velcro to get the liner to sit flush against the picnic basket (on the edge where there is not a ruffle).   The ribbon ties do help hold it in place, but when the basket is empty it does sag a bit.


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Next week’s project is much simpler!   I promise.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend.  (And don’t forget to enter the FREE STATIONERY GIVE AWAY to win some stationery flats.)

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By Kelly
July 23, 2010

2 comments

Sneak Peak: Picnic Basket Liner

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I have been busy sewing scallop trim and making ruffles for the inside of this picnic basket.  I hope to see you tomorrow for the full reveal.  Don’t mind me.  I’ll just be here ironing and fussing over everything.  ;-)

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And don’t forget that you have until Monday to win a set of free stationery flats. So far, only a handful of people have entered so your chances of winning are really, really good.

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By Kelly
July 22, 2010

1 comment

DIY Picnic for Two: Part 1

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I am kicking off my picnic basket project with Part 1: The Picnic Basket.  This week, I revamped the basket itself with a new patchwork top and a chalkboard on the inside of the lid.  Next week, I’ll be sewing a liner for the inside and getting my plates, flatware, and teacups in order.  However, this week was all about the top.  All of the steps and materials are listed below.

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Supplies:

  • a sewing basket that I found on clearance from JoAnn’s (approximately 12.5″ wide x 9.5″ deep x 8.5″ tall)
  • fusible interfacing (12″ x 16″)
  • 4″ patchwork squares in assorted fabrics (12 total)
  • staple gun and 1/4″ staples
  • chalkboard paint
  • mat board (although cardboard or other thin material would work here too)

1) Preparing the basket. First, I had to take apart the old sewing basket by cutting out the fabric liner and popping out the original top.  The lid was held in place with a lot of glue, so I had to slowly pry it out.  This took a combination of elbow grease and patience, but eventually, what I had was this:

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2) Painting the chalkboard. I trimmed my mat board to fit the frame using a craft knife and ruler.  I applied several coats of black chalkboard paint.

3) Creating the patchwork top. I decided to use Alicia Paulson’s suggestion on creating quick (and perfectly aligned) patchwork squares (via Posie Gets Cozy).  In my case, I needed a top that would be 8.5″ x 12″ (leaving enough room to wrap around the sides of the original top and staple in place).  I cut out twelve 4″ squares and one piece of lightweight fusible interfacing (12″ x 16″).  I arranged all of the squares right next to each other (right sides up) on top of the fusible interfacing (sticky side up).  Then you can easily fold each column and row — one at a time — with the right sides together and stitch a 1/4″ seam.   Here’s the back, all sewn and seams pressed open.

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4) Stapling the patchwork top to the basket lid. Since the original fabric covered lid was fairly thin (even with the board backing, fabric, and padding), I purchased the shortest staples I could find: 1/4″.  Also, my husband reminded me many times to use ear plugs when using the staple gun, so here I am — reminding you.  ;-)

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I decided to layer another piece of mat board on top to give the staples a little extra width to grip into (and to prevent any sharp barbs from sticking through the top).  This next photo shows the top in progress with a few staples in place.  Start in the middle and work your way out to the corners.

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Fold in the corners neatly, and staple in place.  The top is ready to be reunited with the basket.

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5) Press chalkboard and fabric covered top back into place. I wish I had a magic trick for this, but I don’t.  Once again, I mostly used my hands and a screwdriver to slowly wedge the lid back into place.  The original lid was a very tight fit, so with the added layer of fabric and interfacing, this was even more snug.  I did not use any glue — I don’t think this lid is going anywhere.

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I can’t wait to leave messages on the new chalkboard!

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That’s all for now.  I’ll be back next week with the inside!

Also, I am going to be moving the contest and give away to next week, too.  Hope you have a great weekend everyone!  See you then…

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By Kelly
July 16, 2010

2 comments

DIY Picnic for Two (Paris Style)

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Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time daydreaming about picnics, so I thought this would be the perfect inspiration for a new craft project.  For the next month or so, I’m going to be putting together a series of tutorials to create my ideal picnic-for-two. 
As much as I love a traditional American picnic in bright, summer colors, this time I’m thinking of something a little fancier and more… Japanese craft book + French.  That fabric with the keys (in the photo above) was my jumping off point, and I’m thinking of ways to add some lace, teacups, and a few other sparkly surprises.  Would you care to join me for le pique-nique?

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Next week, we’ll get started making over the picnic basket.  However, I wanted to give you a heads up in case you’d like to play along.  I picked up this sewing basket at JoAnn Fabric’s.  This one was slightly damaged so it was on clearance, but if you use a 40% off coupon I think you could grab one of these baskets for around $10.  This basket is small which will work for 2– and I think the flat top will be great to use as a make-shift table.

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In order to get ready for the picnic basket make-over, I removed the upholstered top (which was glued in) and made a few repairs.  I also removed the cheap nylon lining on the inside of the lid.  (You can see the lining before it was removed in the photo below.)  This is going to be the perfect spot for some chalkboard paint.  We will be able to write down reminders (don’t forget napkins!) or maybe play a game of tic-tac-toe.

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I thought about spray painting the basket, but decided that the natural wood color would look best with the fabrics I’ve pulled from my stash.  I’m going to use some strong doses of black and a punch of bright colors — pink, turquoise, and citrus green.

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I’m not sure I’ll use all of these, but I also spent some time digging through my ribbons and trims.  There will be plenty to choose from.  However, that striped ribbon is a definite yes.

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This weekend I am going to hunt down some plates, flatware, and teacups so I will have all of my measurements ready for next week.  If you’d like to join me, I plan to make: a new top for the picnic basket, a fabric liner with straps/pockets to secure everything in place, a picnic blanket, some insulated bags to keep foods hot/cold, decorative containers, and maybe a few other little surprises.  Can’t wait!

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Filed under Fabric & Sewing, I Made This, Tutorials & Downloads. Tagged with , , , .

By Kelly
July 9, 2010

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