DIY Baby Gift Basket

Hello Everyone, Laura here from Trash to Couture!
One of my favorite things about sewing is creating handmade gifts. Anything from your child's costume to a baby basket for your new niece like the one in this tutorial. I like to add embroidery to personalize each gift. The Brother SE1800 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
makes it possible to create so many different projects. I really like using the 5 X 12 multi-position hoop to cover a wide area of embroidery without re-hooping. I use this for ribbon or wide trims like the one on this baby basket I will be sharing with you below. This personalized baby basket is my go to when a family member or friend is expecting a baby. It's not only a cute gift basket but perfect for storing diapers and baby items as well. I like to add a couple embroidered infant snapsuits and blankets in the basket customized with the baby's name or designs like the biker babe (my brother-in-law is a professional motorcycle racer and his colors are blue and orange) using the 5x7 hoop. Get the details below on how to embroidery and sew a personalized Baby Gift Basket.

Supplies:

• SE1800 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
  
• 5x12 multi-positon hoop
• Pacesetter medium weight Tear-Away Adhesive Stabilizer
  
• Embroidery thread
• ½ yard exterior fabric (Use a medium weight fabric like cotton)
• ½ yard of fusible fleece
• ½ yard liner (Use a medium weight fabric like cotton)
• ½ yard of rope
• Extra large eyelets
• Extra large eyelet tool kit
• Grid ruler
• Fabric marking tool

Pattern:

• The pattern is for a basket that measures 7"x 12" when finished. I used a 2 piece exterior so the embroidery was noticeable along the edge. This is optional. If you choose to do this you will have to sew the 2 pieces together.
• Exterior: 12.5 x 16.5
• Optional 2 piece exterior: 3.5 x 16.5 (top strip) 9.5 x 16.5 (bottom exterior)
• Liner: 12.5 x 16.5
• Fusible Fleece 12.5 x 16.5

To embroidery the exterior trim:

• Cut a strip of fabric that measures 3.5" x 16.5". You will need 2 of these for the front and back. I chose to embroider one side but you can embroider both.
Tip: Before embroidery make sure to press the fabric and then mark a cross at the mid point with a fabric marker. That way you know where to position the letters or design.
Tip: I like to do a sample before the final design, that way I can adjust sizing, position, etc. based off this. It's better to spend the extra time doing the sample then making mistakes in a final project.

Hooping:


1. Because the strip of my fabric is 3.5" x 16.5" I will be doing hoopless embroidery. I also will be using the 5"x12" multi-position hoop to cover the wider area. This means less re-hooping.
Tip: Hoopless embroidery is great for ribbon, trims, small areas (onesies, edges of blankets, etc.), and knit (so the hoop doesn't stretch the fabric).

2. Cut the Pacesetter stabilizer larger than the hoop.
3. Hoop the stabilizer only, so the adhesive side will be up when embroidering.

4. Carefully score the paper around the edge of the hoop.

5. Peel the protective paper off to expose the adhesive.

6. Stick the strip of fabric down the center of the hoop.

7. Place the first section of the 5x12 hoop on the embroidery module.

Design:

• Use the touch screen and go to lettering.
• For me I used the large lettering to write my niece's name. I began with her first name.
• I then had to rotate the lettering 90 degrees. I also made sure it was positioned properly by using the arrows to move up and down or from side to side. This is why I always mark the center so I know where I'd like my space to be before the next set of lettering.
• You can also increase and decrease the size and mirror images. Just make sure you write down the size of the letters for the next set.

Embroidery:

• Embroider

• Once finished with the first set of embroidery, I remove the hoop and position it to the back portion. Then I repeat the previous steps above.
• Remove the tear away stabilizer from the back.

Sewing the Basket:

• Seam allowance is 1/2" unless stated otherwise.

1. Cut the pattern pieces out (above)

2. Begin by sewing (¼" seam allowance) the top trims you just embroidered onto the bottom exterior pieces right sides together. Press seam allowance open.

3. Press the fusible interfacing on the back of the exterior pieces.

4. Using extra-large eyelets or snap on grommets, position the eyelet 1" out from raw edge and midpoint. Use a fabric marking tool and trace the interior of the eyelet.
5. Cut the interior circle out.

6. Position the 2-Part eyelet into the hole.

7. Hammer the eyelets into place. It takes a good 3-4 hard hits to secure. Repeat for all corners of the exterior pieces.

8. Place the liner right sides together and sew but leave a 3" opening on one of the sides (about 4" up from the bottom).

9. Place the exterior pieces right sides together and sew leaving just the top open.

10. Use a grid ruler and mark a 3" square off the bottom of each corner of both liner and exterior. (include the seam allowance).

11. Cut the squares.

12. Position so the seams meet together and pin into place. Nest the seam allowances so they're going in opposite directions. Sew a ¼" seams allowance.

13. Repeat for all 4 corners.

14. Cut the rope so they measure 9" each. Knot one end of the rope and slide it through both eyelets. Knot again to secure. Repeat for the other side.

15. Place the exterior into the liner so right sides are together. I used Greta Clips but you can pin as well. Make sure the seams are parallel with each other.

16. Sew all the way around the edge.

17. Pull the right side out through the 3" opening you left in the liner.

18. Sew up the opening.

19. Press the basket and edge stitch the top into place.

20. I like to add a few more items to gift basket: a set of diapers, a swaddle blanket, and a set of personalized onesies. iBroidery.com has an array of designs you can add to a USB and embroider with the SE1800 Sewing and Embroidery Machine.