Hi makers! I am happy to be sharing a fabric bin tutorial today. And I have to admit that I made it in the cutest fabric around. When I saw this CACTUS fabric, I knew I had to have it.
The fabric is from Dailylike Canada. I am apart of their fall program as an “Official Supporter” which basically means I get to pick out and test fun fabric each month. Not only do I love the simplicity of Dailylike Canada’s fabric, but their nature and animal designs are down right adorable. I am also sharing this tutorial over on The Dailylike Canada blog.
Over the years, I have shared many storage bin tutorials. This one is super easy to make and I promise after you make one bin, you will be hooked! I love making fabric bins as you can stash all sorts of goodies in them – mail, make-up, office supplies, toys, stuffed animals, diapers, doo-dads, socks.. The list goes on and on and on. Which is why you will want to sew more than one!
Materials needed:
- 1/2 yard of canvas fabric for the outside
- 1/2 yard of canvas fabric for the lining
- 1 yard fusible iron-on decor bond stabilizer
- Sewing supplies and sewing machine
- Clover Wonder Clips
- Disappearing fabric ink pen
- Iron and ironing board
- Rotary cutter, quilting ruler and cutting map
- Paper and pencil
I have 2 boys – a 5 year old and an 18 month old. Most of the time, I feel like all I do is chase them around and clean up their mess. These bins are perfect for kid stuff!
Before we get started, a few things to consider:
- You will need to draw the circle base of the storage bin – it has a 10″ diameter / 5″ radius. Don’t have a compass to draw the circle? Google “how to draw a circle with string” and a bunch of You Tube tutorials will come up. You will also need to make a second circle 1/8″ smaller for the lining.
- The sturdiness of the storage bin depends on how much interfacing you use. You can use interfacing on both the outside fabric and lining or just the outside fabric. If you want a super sturdy bin, I suggest using interfacing on both.
- If you are sewing with a directional print [ like my cactus facing “up” and in the right direction], make note of this when attaching the rectangle/side of the bin to the circle base.
- The slight differences in pattern sizes make the lining fit nice and snug inside the bin.
- All seam allowances are 1/2″.
Let’s get started:
Step 1 – Cut the fabric: Cut 2 circles: Cut 1 circle with the 10″diameter from the outside fabric. Cut 1 circle with a 9 7/8″ diameter from the lining fabric. Cut 2 rectangles: Cut 1 rectangle 29″ L x 9″ H from the outside fabric. Cut 1 rectangle 28 7/8″L x 8 1/2″ H from the lining fabric.
Step 2 – Cut and fuse the interfacing pieces: Fuse each piece to the backside of the canvas fabric.
Step 3 – Create notches: Fold the circle in half and then fold in half again. Mark or cut a notch at the outside edge / fold of each section. These 4 notches will help with placement and sewing the base to the storage bin side. Repeat for the lining. Next fold the rectangles in half and sew the short sides together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Press the seam. Open the seam allowance and press again. Repeat for the lining
Step 4 – Similar to the circle base, mark 4 notches along one edge of the rectangle/side. If you have a directional print, make note of it at this time. Fold in half matching the short ends and then fold in half again. Mark or cut a notch at the fold of each of the 4 sections. Repeat for the lining.
Step 5 – Create the bin: With right sides together, match the notches of the circle base to the notches of the rectangle/side piece. Pin at each of the 4 notches. Place a few more pins between each notch, making sure the fabric placement is even. Place into your sewing machine and sew the pieces together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Note – Place the fabric with the most gathers nearest to the feed dogs. The feed dogs will help pull this area through the machine and even them out. Press the seam. Repeat for the lining.
Step 6 – Carefully trim the circle base seam allowances to 1/4″. Press. Next, turn the outside fabric bin to be right side facing out. Turn down/ fold under the outside top edge 1/4″. Press. Repeat and turn and fold 1/4″ again. Press. Make sure to turn and fold evenly, otherwise you will have a very wavy top edge.
Step 7 – Finish the bin: Place the lining bin into the outside bin and match at the side seams. Tuck the lining top edge under the folded outside top edge. Wiggle and smooth the bottom seams into place. Pin or use wonder clips to hold. Topstitch around the top edge.
That’s it! Fun right? How many of these will you make? If you want to try a bin with handles and a square bottom, try this fabric bin tutorial. Here is a fun reversible fabric bin. And while we are at it, here is one with piping along the top edge. There are so many options!
Head over to Dailylike Canada for amazing fabric options. You can also check out their blog for fun tutorials.
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