Rachel Robin's Nest

This might be my all-time favorite Pinterest discovery.  I love baskets.  Who doesn’t?  They are pretty and functional.  I want a bunch of baskets around the house–for extra blankets in the guest room, for my knitting supplies, for our entryway shelf to hold hats, mittens and scarves…the list goes on and on!

But baskets are crazy expensive!  Especially nice big ones.  And they’re never quite the right size, shape or color, but we have to settle for what’s available, right? WRONG!  Thanks to DIY Design Fanatic, we can just make our own baskets out of cardboard boxes!

I used a W.B. Mason paper box that I got FOR FREE from work.  I purchased 4 spools of 1/4″ Sisal Rope from Ocean State Job Lot for $1.39 apeice, and used only about 2 and a half, and used fabric from my stash to create the liner, so this project only cost me about $4.  Whoo!

Cardboard Box into Basket (from DIY Design Fanatic)

Before

Supplies:

• Sisal rope, jute, hemp or other rope-like substance
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• A yard of home-dec weight fabric (I used Waverly’s Tres Chic)

Basically, all you’re going to do is glue the rope around the perimeter of your box.  I recommend using more glue rather than less to ensure that the rope stays where it’s supposed to.  I stopped about 2 inches below the rim of the box, because I knew I’d be making a liner that wrapped over the top of the box.  This project takes time, people!  I worked on this over several evenings.

When I finished gluing down the rope, I measured the dimensions of my box.  I added an inch to each dimension to allow for hems and seam allowances, and also added three inches to the height measurements to allow for the overhang.  I created a fabric “box” that I slid into my new basket.  The few inches of overhang ensured a snug fit and covered the area with no rope.

Tada!  Just beautiful.  I plan on making several more of these for around the house.  What will you use your baskets for?