DIY.. Fabric Bin With Handles

Alright! It’s time for another storage bin tutorial.

I know, I know.. Didn’t I just post a storage bin tutorial?  Well, my “Glimma” canvas fabric from Lotta Jansdotter has been eye-balling me for MONTHS!  I love sewing with canvas fabric and Lotta’s Glimma collection is the perfect weight for a storage bin. Plus, my best friend Karli is pregnant and I’ve wanted to make her something for her nursery.

I used my seam ripper a tad too much on this project. My brain was somewhere else and I kept messing things up. As a result I stretched the seams and the top edge is wavy. Ugh. You can see it in this photo and it is driving me a little crazy..The recovering perfectionist in me says “Self.. Let it go”.. Lol.  Don’t worry, the steps and tutorial work just fine.. It was my head that didn’t on this one.

This bin is slightly different than my reversible bin from April – this one is larger and I’ve added a facing and handles.

The finished size is 10″L x 9″W x 8″H

Materials Needed:

1. Cotton Canvas for the outside –  at least 1/2 yard
2. Cotton Canvas for the lining –  at least 1/2 yard
3. Pellon Décor-Bond 809 – 1 yard
4. Sewing machine and related supplies
5. Rotary cutter, cutting mat, quilting rotary cutting ruler
6. Disappearing fabric ink pen
7. Iron and ironing board

Before we get started, you will need to complete the following:

1. Cut your fabric – From the outside fabric: cut 1 rectangle measuring 26″L x 20″W, 2 rectangles measuring 4″L x 20″W [facing] and 1 rectangle measuring 3″L x 20″W [straps]. From the inside fabric cut a1 rectangle measuring 19″L x 20″W. Cut 1 rectangle measuring 26″L x 20″W from the Pellon Décor-Bond 809.
2. Fuse the Décor-Bond to the wrong side of the outside fabric. Note: depending on the weight of the fabric – you can also use interfacing on the facing pieces and/or lining.

Let’s get sewing:

Step 1 – Place the lining piece right side up on your work surface. Pin each rectangle measuring 4″L x 20″W to each end [ pin right side facing down]. Place into your sewing machine and stitch down with a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Step 2 – Press the seams while closed. Open and press again. The rectangle should now be the same size at the outside fabric rectangle.

Step 3 – Keep the lining on your work surface. Fold the rectangle in half, and it should now measure 13″L x 20″W.” Pin along sides if needed. Make sure the facing seams match up. Place into your sewing machine and stitch with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Press. Repeat for the outside fabric – fold, pin, sew.

Step 4 – Sew those boxed corners! Start with the main fabric. Wiggle the fabric around so that the side seams are facing upwards. Stack the side seams. Make a point and also make sure that the sides sit at a 45 degree angle.  Finger press any wrinkles out.  Measure 3 1/2″ upwards from the tip and mark a dashed line with a disappearing ink pen. Pin. Place into sewing machine and stitch following the dashed line. Backstitch. Repeat for the other side and again for the outside fabric.

Step 5 – Place the quilting ruler onto the corner. Lay the ruler so you have a 1/2″ seam allowance. Cut along the ruler edge using a rotary cutter [ you will cut the tip off].  Repeat for the other side and again for the outside fabric.

Step 6 –  Sew your staps.. I’ve made plenty of straps here on my blog.. Check out my super duper easy tutorial here.

Step 7 – Play around with your straps and decide on the length. I ended up having 10″ straps. Cut the strap down to the size desired. You will need 2 straps. Remember to leave 1/2″ at EACH end for the seam allowance.

Step 8 – Place the outside bin on your work surface. The side seam needs to be facing up. Measure 2″ out from the side seam and pin the strap end in place. Measure 2″ out again and place the other end of the strap. Raw edges match raw edges. The strap will hang INSIDE the bin. Repeat and pin the strap at the other side.

Step 9 – Turn the project so they sit as bins. The outside bin is facing right side out and the lining bin is facing right side in.  Place the outside bin into the lining bin. Wiggle all the corners into place. Also make sure the side seams match up.  Pin around the top edge. Place into the sewing machine and stitch together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Leave a 4″ opening near a side seam.  Press with an iron.

Step 10 – Gently pull the bin through the 4″ opening. Yes, it will look pretty ugly. That’s ok, you are going to press the wrinkles out.

Step 11 – Wiggle the fabric into place. Roll down top edge to sit into place and make sure all corners match. Press along top edge with an iron, turn the 4″ opening seam allowance under. Press in place. Pin if needed. Place into the sewing machine and edgestitch along the entire top edge.  Press the bin with an iron.

Well, that’s it! Super easy right? Want to see other storage bin tutorials? My reversible bin was way more popular than I thought it would be. You can check it out here. A smaller version is also available here.

Happy Sewing.