Cute ideas for summer crafts
Make the most of the season by eating alfresco!
PRETTY PICNICS
Transform a tired old picnic basket with pretty print fabrics
Time: 1 hour Skill: Intermediate
Materials:
42x40cm (17x16in) piece of red gingham fabric 17x34cm (42x13½in) piece of strawberry fabric for front and back of lining 32x34cm (13x13½in) piece of striped tea towel fabric for sides of lining 42x32cm (17x13in) piece of red gingham fabric for basket base
70cm (28in) cream bias binding
2.3m (2½ yd) narrow green velvet ribbon
1.5m (1¾ yd) white cotton trimming
1. Cut the larger piece of gingham fabric into two 42x10cm (17x4in) strips and two 32x10cm (13x4in) strips. Fold one long edge of each strip over twice to make a double hem and stitch in place (these will become the outer edging of the basket).
2. Cut the strawberry fabric into two 42x17cm (17x6¾in) strips. With RS together, pin a strawberry fabric strip to a matching red gingham strip. Cut the striped fabric into two 32x17cm (13x6¾in) strips and pin to the shorter gingham strips, RS together. Machine stitch the seams, press and turn out. 3. Pin all the side panels onto the red gingham base fabric with RS facing. Machine stitch the seams, press and turn out.
4. Pin and machine stitch up the four corner seams of the lining. To give the gingham outer edging room to overhang the basket, taper the seam outward slightly at the top as shown.
5. Place the lining into the basket. Mark and cut incisions about 5cm (2in) at the front of the basket for the loops on the front. Mark and cut slits up the outer gingham edging at the back of the basket to allow for the hinges.
6. Measure the incisions made in Step 5 and cut strips of bias binding slightly longer. Press the binding in half. Pin a binding piece to enclose each raw edge and machine stitch in place.
7. Lace the green velvet ribbon through the white cotton trimming and cut off the excess. Fold over the ends of the trimming, press, and pin onto the outer gingham overhang near the lip of the basket. Machine stitch in place. 8. Place the lining into the picnic basket and hand stitch the slits below the back hinges.