Quilted Cotton Storage Bins

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 2 Fabrics:
• Cotton (or other light/medium weight woven fabric)
• Lining (and bias tape)
• Small: 1/4yd each
• Medium: 1/3yd each
• Large: 2/3yd each


• Flex-Foam 2-Sided Fusible Stabilizer: 1yd
• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Notions
• Iron & Ironing Surface
• Rotary Cutter & Cutting Mat
• Clear Ruler: 2'
• Marking Pen or Tailor's Chalk


• SIZE:
• Small: 6" Dx 3" H
• Medium: 8" Dx 4" H
• Large: 10" Dx 6" H

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut:
• Bottom circle fabric, cut 1 each - lining and outer fabric:
• Small: 8" circle
• Medium: 10" circle
• Large: 12" circle


• Side fabric, cut 1 each - lining and outer fabric:
• Small: 21"x 4"
• Medium: 27"x 5"
• Large: 33 1/2"x 7"
• Bias tape fabric, cut 1:
• Small: 22"x 2" W
• Medium: 28"x 2" W
• Large: 34 1/2"x 2" W
• Side Foam, cut 1:
• Small: 19"x 3"
• Medium: 25"x 4"
• Large: 33 1/2"x 6"
• Bottom circle foam, cut 1:
• Small: 6" circle
• Medium: 8" circle
• Large: 10" circle


2. Make the Bias Tape:
• Fold the long side of the rectangle in half, wrong sides together, so that the strip is 1" wide. Press.
• Open the folded strip and fold the sides in to the middle. Press.
• Fold back in half and press resulting in a length of double fold bias tape with no raw edges on the long sides.
• Open one end at center fold.
• Fold short end in 1/2", press.
• Refold at center fold, press.
• Set aside.


3. Fuse fabric to foam:
• Side:
• Sandwich the foam between outer fabric and lining with both fabrics facing right side out.
• Place the foam so it matches the top edge of both fabrics and is centered side to side.
• There will be a 1" border of fabric on the sides and bottom.


4. Bottom Circle:
• Sandwich the foam between outer fabric and lining with both fabrics facing right side out.
• Place the foam so it is centered on the circles - 1" in from fabric edges.
• Baste 1/8" from raw edges on all pieces to secure the two fabrics together.


5. Quilt Pieces:
• Mark quilting lines on side and bottom panels.
• For vertical lines like the sample, start at the short end of the side, marking vertical lines at desired spacing (small and medium used 1", large used 1 1/2" spacing)
• For the circle bottom, mark a starting line in the center of the circle, then add additional lines in both direction at the same spacing as the sides.
• Stitch along marked lines from top to bottom, including the 1" fabric margin at the bottom.


6. Assemble the Bins:
• Match the lining sides of the side panel together at the short ends.
• Foam edges should line up at the top and bottom.
• Sew 1/2" from the foam in the 1" fabric border.
• Trim seam allowance down to 1/4".
• Turn so the lining is on the outside of the tube now.
• Press the seam flat.
• Sew along edge again, stitching right along the edge of the foam and encasing the raw edge of the seam in a French seam.


7. Optional:
• Press seam to one side and top stitch flat.
• Match the lining side of the tube to the lining side of the circle bottom.
• Pin in place.


8. It may be helpful to divide the circle and side tube into quarters so that the side is evenly placed around the circle and any excess can be eased in.
9. Sew 1/2" from the foam in the 1" fabric border.
10. Trim seam allowance down to 1/4".
11. Turn so the lining is on the outside of the bin now.
12. Press the seam flat.
13. Sew along edge again, stitching right along the edge of the foam and encasing the raw edge of the seam in a French seam.
14. Turn bin right side out.
15. Open bias tape and wrap around the top edge of the bin.
16. Starting with the raw end, secure the bias tape with fabric clips.
17. The folded end should overlap the beginning of the tape, covering the raw edge.
18. Stitch bias tape close to the folded edge, catching both sides.
19. Start at the beginning, just past the overlapped area, to allow for adjustment as the bias tape is applied.