Sew Mini Fabric Planter Bins

I recently shared this post over at UCreate and I am happy to be sharing the tutorial here today.

My son and I recently bought a few succulents for our kitchen table. Truthfully, I’ve been calling them “mini plants”. After hearing everyone call them “succulents” I’ve figured out what to actually call them.. I don’t spend much time in the garden. Can you tell?

The pots they came in are black, plastic and really ugly. I’m not much of a green thumb, so I have no intention of re-potting them.. While I was looking at the pots I had one of my usual “ah-ha sewing” moments – why not sew colorful, mini fabric bins to cover the pots? Everyone loves a fabric storage bin, right?

I’ve had my eye on the Nate Burkus home decor fabric collection at Jo-Ann fabrics for quite some time. I love his bold, modern prints. I wanted a heavier weight fabric for this project, so his decorator fabric collection at Jo-Ann Fabrics was right on the mark.

These mini fabric bins are super easy to make and you can sew a bunch in just a few short hours.

Materials:

1. Cotton fabric in 2 prints – cotton canvas or decorator weight suggested
2. Disappearing fabric ink pen and ruler
3. Sewing machine and sewing supplies
4. Iron and ironing board
5. Miniature plant in pot – pot height approximately 3 3/8″

Let’s get started:

1. Create the pattern – Lay the “outside” fabric face down on your work surface. Use the disappearing pen and draw a square measuring 10 3/4″ x 10 3/4″. At each corner draw squares measuring 3 1/4″. Cut out following the ink lines.
2. Cut the fabric – The fabric piece should like something like a cross.  Now lay the fabric down on the “lining” fabric. Pin in place and cut out another. Note – if you plan to make multiple fabric bins, trace off a pattern at this step.Sew the outside bin –  Match the sides of each square at one corner. Pin. Place into your sewing machine and stitch with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Repeat for each corner. Press the seams closed facing one direction.
3. Repeat step 3 for the lining fabric.  Press the seams closed facing the same direction. You now have 2 little bins.
4. Turn the outside bin right side facing out. Leave the lining bin, right side facing in. Place the lining bin around the outside bin. Wiggle into place.
5. Match the points of each corner using your finger. Pin at the top edge/at each corner seam. Place into your sewing machine and stitch along the top edge. Leave a small opening.
6.  Turn right side out by pulling the bins through the opening. Wiggle the lining bin into the outside bin. Match at each corner. Press the seam along the top edge. Also fold each side seam onto each other and press the seam in place. Pin the small opening closed. Top stitch along the top edge.
7. Finish the bins – Fold along one side seam. Finger press the seam to sit flat. Place into your sewing machine and edge stitch from the top to the bottom. Backstitch. Repeat for each corner.

That’s it – adorable, right? Perfect for plants and other stuff as well. Wouldn’t these be great all over the house? They would also make awesome teacher appreciation gifts. Disclaimer.. They are so cute you may have a hard time giving them away!

Got fabric bins on the brain? I have a bunch of tutorials you can try –  check out my reversible fabric bin OR my fabric bin with handles OR my round canvas fabric bin. If you have any questions, please let me know. I love hearing about it all.

Happy Sewing.