DIY Felted Wool Storage Basket

heather handmade sewing

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Easily turn a wool sweater into a felted wool storage basket with this simple sewing tutorial. It’s a great way to use those extra sweaters!

I have a thing with baskets and bins. It’s so fun to organize with cute organizing items. An easy way to to make your own storage basket is to felt a sweater and then sew it into a bin. It’s a quick sewing project that would be perfect for a gift.

DIY Felted Wool Storage Basket

I love this felted wool storage basket because we put our Christmas books in them. The kids come and pick a book out to read every night, and then they have a place to put them back. I love how the felt basket looks under our felt stockings and gingerbread garland.

I love having fabric baskets to organize everything. I’ve also made large DIY fabric baskets and upcycled jean fabric baskets.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

I bought this 100% wool sweater about five years ago. The knitted scene is just so pretty. First, I tried sewing in the sides to see if I would wear it, but it turns out I don’t really wear black.

Then I purposely washed and dried it to felt it to see what I would do with it. It’s been sitting in my stash for a couple of years. I couldn’t get rid of it because someone put so much work into it.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

DIY felted wool storage basket

supplies


1. Throw your wool sweater in the washer and dryer to felt it. It will shrink and become stiffer.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

2. Cut the front and back off of the sweater in a giant rectangle. Cut the sleeves off and open the seam.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

3. Cut the ribbing off of the sleeves and the hem of the sleeves. (Save the wool scraps to make wool felt balls!)

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

4. Square the corners of the front and back rectangles. The shorter the rectangle the stronger the sides of the felt basket will be.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

5. Line up the two rectangles side by side. You are going to use a wide zigzag stitch to sew them together. Sew the other side together to form a cylinder.

Sewing the felt will make it a little wavy, but pressing it will make the waviness go away.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

6. Put the sleeves together in opposite direction to make a big rectangle.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

7. Place the the cylinder on top of the arm rectangle and pin the edges towards the outside of the felt basket. Sew the base onto the cylinder with a wide zigzag stitch.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

8. Fold the top over 5/8 inch and sew it with a zigzag stitch.

If you want to make your basket stronger line the basket with interfaced quilting cotton and fold the felt over the lining.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

9. Press any wavy seams to make the seams straight and flat. Fill it up with books or toys or games.

Felted Wool Storage Basket // heatherhandmade.com

If you make a felted wool storage basket using this tutorial, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!

DIY Felted Wool Storage Basket
heather sewing

I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather

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