Modern Basket Weaving

All Within the Home
by All Within the Home
4 Materials
$15
4 Hours
Easy

You can update a tin canister, an old vase, a metal container, etc by doing a modern basket weave with your favorite ribbons and some cheap fabric cording.

I can't pass up a good deal! I bought three of these white metal containers from Target years ago on clearance. I have used them to store toys, drinks, towels, and odds and ends.


I decided to do a project and find a way to update these. A little back story, I was able to go on a trip to Europe in 2019 and on our way back we stayed a couple days in New York to get use to the time change before we came home to three of our young kids. While we were in New York walking around, we came across an outdoor market and there were these amazing weaved baskets that I would have LOVED to buy but like I said we were in New York, walking around and there was no way I was going to be able to walk around with one these huge baskets and have enough luggage space from our Europe treasures to bring back one of these baskets. This is where I got my inspiration...

I went to Hobby Lobby and bought some different size, color, texture, and patterned ribbons and many yards of fabric cording and lots of glue sticks!


I started by spreading out my ribbons and gluing them to the bottom of my container.


After I glued down the ribbons, I started with gluing down my fabric cording behind one of the ribbons and going in basket weave pattern of gluing behind one ribbon then gluing in front of the next ribbon and so on all the way around the container.

Up close look at how I did...I would use my left hand to hold up the dotted ribbon, since on this weave the cording would be going in front of the ribbon.

I would add a little glue behind the ribbon to hold it in place.

Then pull the cording across the front and I would repeat this all the way around. See how every time I come around to this ribbon it goes in and out of the cording?

Here is an in progress photo so you can see how all the ribbons are rotating going in front or behind the cording. You do this all the way around until you come up to the top where you can glue just the cotton cording around the top to hide all the cut ribbons.

Since mine is a fairly large bucket I can use it for pillows, small blankets, towels, or as a laundry basket, etc.

Feel free to use whatever color combo of ribbons you would like and whatever size of container you want! You could wash out a can of corn and use the can as a pencil holder in your office, or dress up a large container and put some flowers in it. You really can dress up the most ordinary looking container and make it look fantastic for cheap! Just note, the smaller the container, the less ribbons you would use and be sure to use an odd number so the weaving works all the way around and use thinner ribbons if you are using a can from the pantry!

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Frequently asked questions
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  • Debra Foreman Tillman Debra Foreman Tillman on Oct 11, 2020

    How long did it take you to finish it?

  • Tavia Tavia on Oct 13, 2020

    What size rope did you use

  • Laurie Laurie on Oct 25, 2022

    How did you handle it when your cordage spool ran out before you finished the process? Is there a way to start a new spool without noticing where the new cord starts?

Comments
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  • Kris Kris on Oct 25, 2022

    A Christmas basket would be beautiful! Thanks for your share!

  • Paula Bois-Brady Paula Bois-Brady on May 26, 2023

    Thanks for the inspiration. I have been trying to figure out how to hide my fire/water proof cube safe in my camper. I keep my important papers and hand gun. I dont want to have to dig it out of a cabinet in an emergency. This application will be the perfect way to disguise it. I will make a custom upholstered cushion for the top and be able to use it as sturdy foot rest. It will be in plain sight, can grab and go.

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