Today my friend Zoe is popping over to do a super fun guest post on how to make a rope basket. Thanks for sharing your skills with us, Zoe!
Hello to all my friends here in Mavis’s corner of the web!
How to Make a Rope Basket
Step 1.
Choose fabric scraps and rope. I use quilt cotton weight fabrics as that’s mostly what I have. Anything fairly lightweight will work. Heavier fabrics will get too bulky.
For rope, I really like cloth wash line. It’s sturdy but not extremely thick, which is necessary to fit under the machine’s presser foot. Piping also works. Keep in mind that the thinner the rope, the more yardage will be needed to make a bowl.
For a bowl about 8 inches in diameter you’ll need 8-10 yards of rope.
Step 2.
Want another thrifty tip?
- I’m all about using up what I have to save it from the landfill!
- If you have selvages left after cutting, save those for the kids to use as string in all their various projects.
Step 3.
Choose a strip to begin with. This will be the center of the bowl bottom. Hold it in your hand at an angle and lay the rope on with the end of the rope being in the center of the end.
Step 4.
Step 4.Step 5.
Step 5.Step 6.
Step 6.Step 7.
Step 7.
Step 8.
Step 8.Time to begin sewing!
Step 9.
Step 10.
Step 11.
Step 11.Step 12.
Step 12.
Unwrap 3/4 inch of fabric.Step 13.
Step 13.Step 14.
Step 14.Step 15.
Step 15.Step 16.
Step 16.
Another way to make the sides straighter is to keep tension on the rope as you are sewing. The harder you pull on it, the straighter the sides.
I enjoy watching the sides begin to grow!
Step 18.
If you run out of bobbin thread, just reload it and start again. Backstitch!
Step 19.
Step 19.Step 20.
Step 20.
Step 21.
Step 22.
Step 22.Step 23.
Step 23.If you’d rather not sew but enjoy cooking, you can always sample my recipes over at my blog. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
Zoë
Here are some more of Zoë’s amazing tutorials:
Christine says
This is so cool! This might also work as a workbag or carryall. If I do make one, I’ll send you a picture.
Carrie says
Thanks for sharing! I have always admired these at markets and craft shows. Now I need to get the sewing machine repaired.
L. bryant says
Happy New year Mavis.
Glad to see that you are back to feeling energized. I had 3 years straight where family losses seemed to control our lives . It takes a while but the joy will return!!!
Loved the baskets.
The red wine vinegar will not go bad if kept at a cool temperature. I know it sounds crazy but tomato soup is a really good choice for sick days. Tons of vitamins and it will help with the raw scratchy feeling in the throat.
Two questions:
1. Yesterday you said your daughter would have a gap year in college, what is that?
2. The home that you have in the Northeast. Do you use this as a rental? How do you keep tabs on its general upkeep and security. We have the opportunity to keep a small property in the mountains (8 hour drive) and would love some advice on a “second’ property.
Thanks.
Teresa says
Good Morning Mavis and Zoe!
Is there a way I can print out the rope bowl tutorial? I love the way they look and want to try some. I am rather computer impaired. Is there a “print” button I missed?
Teresa says
OOPS! spoke too soon. I found it! Looks like so much fun!
tia in boise says
What fun! A guest craft post! (Would love to see more!) Thanks! Is that a specialty sewing machine? (Mine gives me fits just turning the corner on a hem of thickish fabric…)
Zoë says
Hi Tia!
My machine is just a regular one, tho it is a high quality machine : a Bernina B350 patchwork edition (I make a lot of quilts). Any machine that can do a zigzag stitch can make these bowls! Have you had yours serviced lately? Could be an internal issue that creates problems with turning. Good luck!
Patti Burns says
You can’t go wrong with any Bernina. I was even impressed with the Bernette beginners machine we bought our granddaughter.
Harmony says
I’m a very ameture sewer and find that my sewing machine really struggles with getting through thick fabrics, so I don’t think it’d be able to handle this project. Do you think that I need a more substantial sewing machine, or do I need to use a different needle for bigger jobs? Any experienced sewers out there who can throw me some advice? I love this project!
Zoë says
Hello Harmony!
Any machine should be able to handle this project as long as it can zigzag stitch. You could try a denim needle (size 90 or 100) and see if that helps. And use piping instead of wash line. The wash line is more dense and might not work with your machine. Good luck! Feel free to email me with more questions! zoedawn @ msn . com
Teckla says
Hi, Harmony
Most machines have a dial or lever that allows you to adjust the presser foot. Mine, a Kenmore, is a dial inside the left door that opens to the light above the needle. You may need to change the pressure so that’s it’s less on whatever fabric you are sewing–I have found that bulkier fabrics need less pressure and lighter fabrics more. Check your machine manual if you have one. The above tips are also good ones. Additionally, check to make sure your feed dogs are fully engaged and that your presser foot is correctly/fully seated. Again check your manual for information. Crafting is such fun. Best of luck!
Patsy miller says
I bought a heavy metal body singer to make rope bowls on Cost $250.00. Worth every penny. Makes up to 6 different size zigzag love it
glenda blomquist says
I use a size 16 needle and had great success!
Marcia says
That looks really cool!
Rhonda Relyea says
Thank you so much for this beautiful tutorial! My mom made these years ago and I always wanted to add them to my bucket list of crafts to do. I’m retired now so this was a great reminder.
Pat in clackamas says
Wonderful little baskets!! I love them!! Thanks Zoe for takin the time out to share with us!!! Whats next??
Melanie says
After looking at the photo between points 14 and 15, I couldn’t help but think that it would make a great trivet for placing hot dishes on the table! A perfect gift for those who like to set their table matchy-matchy with the plates and napkins or for different holidays. 🙂 Thanks for the great tutorial!
Kim says
Really neat! How would you clean these badkets? Do you think they could survive a gentle washer cycle? Thanks!
Angie says
I have never seen a basket with the loop sticking up like that. Is it supposed to be a handle? Can I somehow just continue to sew it down to it is laying down flat?
Zoe says
Yes you can just lay it down flat instead of making a loop. It is purely decorative. It isn’t sturdy enough to use as a handle.
Connie says
Thank you Zoe for the inspiration. I noticed in the photo above that there were baskets with 2 handles. Do you have a tutorial for that as well?
Zoe says
I do not! It’s not too difficult, though. The only tricky part is getting them centered with each other.
Figure out where you want the handle(s) and then when it comes times to form them, just loop the rope up as high as you want the handle and don’t sew at that section. Start sewing again where the handle comes down. Continue around to other handle and do the same. Then the second round of rope will be sewn right on top of the handles. I like two or three rounds of rope for the handles, one isn’t quite sturdy enough.
If this doesn’t make sense, send me an email and I can take some pics for you. zoedawnshop (at) gmail (dot) com
Sue says
Just curious, what do you sell the baskets for?
Aprila says
I am curious as well. They look like fun!
Carmel Archer says
Thanks so much for sharing the fabric bowl tutorial – very well explained and great pictures. Can’t wait to use up all my scraps. Well done
Ree Belinskey says
I looked all over for the “print” button for this tutorial, but could not find it. Talk about tech-challenged! Thanks
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Ree,
At the end of the post there is a green printer button. Press that and then you’ll see a little mountain {image tab}. Hit 0% to print the directions WITHOUT photos. I hope that helps.
Ree Belinskey says
Thanks Mavis … if it had been a bug it would have bit me! 😉
Fran says
I make these too, but no matter how hard I try my side’s don’t come out straight. They are always slanted. And then there is that darn zigzag stitch. Mine sure don’t come out as nicely as yours do. What is the secret to that.
Zoe says
Are you giving the rope equal tension as you sew? Don’t pull hard at some points and then relax at others. Hopefully that helps!
Casey says
Hello! I have been trying to make these bowls recently and have been having a lot of trouble. I originally got my instructions from a different site and they suggested that a polyester rope would work. So with my first attempt I used a polyester blend rope and it didn’t work with my sewing machine. For my second attempt I used more durable thread with a heavy duty needle. This still did not work. So for my third attempt I bought a cotton rope that has a polyester core (closest product I could find in stores to plain cotton). I also made sure this rope was smaller in width to help my machine. BUT IT STILL WON’T WORK. Can I please get some advice? Do I need to find 100% cotton rope or could this possibly be a problem with my machine? I have a Simple 2263 Sewing Machine. Thanks!!
Zoë says
Hi Casey! Hmm. I use many types of rope and have never seen any difference in how my machine handles it so I’m guessing it’s a machine issue. Without testing it myself, I’m not sure what to advise. What exactly is the issue? Thread jam? Needles breaking? Feed dog not pulling rope through?
Donna says
Thank you. It took a long time to find clearly written and pictured instructions for these types of baskets. I no longer make them and I want to give my supplies away but couldn’t find my instruction sheets. Now I can carry on with my donation!
Patricia says
Just made one of these rope baskets: brilliant tutorial, found it hard to tip up so followed your idea to increase pressure and it rounded beautifully. No cotton clothes line available in Spain, I used Orgi Textiles yarn made from overproduction of cotton garments that I found in a huge Mercado Asia store- really inexpensive and fine for sewing machine, and stretchy enough to make sewing it a pleasure. Thanks
Louise Bellefeuille says
Zoe, would like to know what size is the rope that you use,,,meaning the diameter,,,, Is is 1/4 inc or less? Your bowls are beautiful and I would like to try to make at least a few for myself. Thanks
Zoë says
Thank you! Yes, usually 3/16” to 1/4”.
Shirley says
I have tried 13/16 and I end up with birdsnest on bottom. Also the fraying strings are problemstic
Suzie says
I like your tutortial. I have made one bowl and am so excited to start on another one. I have had nothing but problems now. Tried to use tread for quilts..it was so hard to thread on my Brother machine..got bigger needles 90/41..got the right clothesline rope, cant get the rope and material under my presser foot..but still problems. Must have been a fluke that I made one bowl..lol.
Zoë says
Hmm that is odd! Does it sew nicely on regular fabric? Wondering if maybe there is an underlying problem with the machine, rather than the bowl materials. I have never worked with Brother so can’t give much advice there but it sure is funny that one bowl worked and not another!
Sherry McAllister says
What size sewing machine needle did you use to make the rope basket? I have broken about 6 size 100 needles doing this project. It didn’t start until I started wrapping with cloth. It throws the zigzag off. I even took my machine in for a tune up and it is still doing the same thing. I love making these baskets but can’t afford all the needles and tune ups. Any other ideas that might be doing this. I sure could use the help.
Zoë says
I use 100 too and rarely break needles, unless I’m putting too much tension on the rope (pulling against the machine). I do not know what would be wrong with your machine. Is it a good quality machine? I have a bernina b350 and it does a great job. I also use a pfaff varimatic 6091 with good results. Sorry I don’t have any great tips :/
Weza says
Hi, I would like to know how do you sew a rope bowl to have this shape https://www.instagram.com/p/B5dG6rLJdTp/ . Because the shape looks curvy on the side. Can you kindly elaborate to me.
Thanks
Zoe says
Hello!
My machine is not capable of that shape because the head is too large but with a small head it can be achieved by pulling hard on the rope leading into the machine. This creates tension so that less rope feeds in compared to the last round of rope. Does that help?
Weza says
OH i see! ok cool thanks Zoe!
Jami Lynn Fowler says
Thank you so much for this advice! I’ve been struggling with figuring out how to keep the sides of my bowls from growing out with each round. This fixed the problem!
Sarah says
Thank you Zoe for the beautiful rope buskert.
Sarah Durham says
My step mother makes these bowls but instead of using a clothespin, she uses a childs glue stick to glue the fabric to the clothesline cord. When she has several feet or sometimes yards of cord wrapped with strips, then she sees it all at once. I have one that she made me 10 years ago that I keep fruit it. It looks as good as it did on day 1.
Jean says
I have been searching for clear, concise instructions! I have yet to make a bowl but itching to do so. These instructions are great!
Do you have them in PDF? I’m old school and like to have written instructions for reference & I take notes on my projects. I wasn’t able to print it as is online. ??? Not sure why.
Thank you!!!!!
Zoe says
I’m sorry I don’t have them in pdf.
Peggy Jo Clark says
Thank you for these instructions for making a rope bowl. I got a clothesline rope around 5 years ago so I could try and make one, but felt it would be too hard and thus there it sits still waiting. These instruction make it look simpler than I thought. Now I can’t wait to give it a try.