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How to make a picture perfect picnic basket

For the basket, you will need:

•    woven basket
•    white PVA paint and paintbrush
•    paper, pencil and ruler for pattern
•    printed cotton fabric for pockets
•    woven ribbon tape for pockets
•    matching coloured sewing thread
•    embroidery needle

To make:

1 Paint the bottom half of the outside of the basket with the white PVA paint and leave to dry.

2 To make the pockets for all the picnic items, you will need to measure the basket and make a pattern. First measure the widest part of the basket and then half the height.

Jot down these measurements. Make a paper pattern from these measurements. Cut out two fabric pieces allowing 1cm seam allowances on all sides.

3 Place the two pieces of fabric together with the right sides facing upwards and sew the two side edges and the lower edge closed. Fold hems along the top edges of both pieces and press. Machine stitch the hems in place.

4 Decide on the items you wish to place in the pockets and measure each one allowing a further 2cm to each measurement. Use these measurements to make the pocket compartments. Sew each compartment from the lower edge to the top edge.

5 Decorate each compartment by sewing a strip of woven braid over the stitching line. To complete, sew woven braid along the top edge. Place the fabric into the basket and, using small neat hand stitches, catch the sides and lower edge to the basket.

Good Idea: Fill the basket with melamine plates, plastic cups, a wooden board, cutlery, handmade napkins, straws, chopsticks, snacks and preserves.

To make the napkins, you will need: (a set of four)

•    120 x 40cm unbleached calico or linen
•    printed cotton fabric remnants
•    matching coloured sewing thread
•    dressmaker’s pencil and ruler

To make:

1 Cut the fabric into 40 x 40cm squares. Draw a straight line 1cm in from the raw edge along all sides of the squares. Top-stitch over the pencil line. Fray the raw edges for an added effect.

2 From the printed fabric remnants, cut out motifs or the shapes of flowers, birds or shells in the fabric pattern. Place two or three motifs in one corner of each napkin and hand appliqué them in place.

Want to make a breadbox?

Cut a small piece of wood to size and use sandpaper to smooth the edges. Rub a little olive oil or mineral oil over the surface to seal the wood. You can also paint the sides with white PVA, to finish off, if you prefer.

To make a tag:

Search for a free downloadable frame image on the internet, colour copy it onto book paper and cut into a rectangle. Cut strips of fabric to make ribbons, as well as a few motifs to match what you did on the napkins. Hand stitch everything together, then stitch the tag to the basket with embroidery thread.

Text and image: Ideas magazine

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