Buzz
Instead of discarding old cardboard boxes, why not upcycle them into a chic basket? You can fashion a simple basket by winding rope around it to conceal the cardboard. For a more intricate design, you can disassemble the box and then interlace it back together with rope to craft a traditional woven basket. All you require is a cardboard box, scissors, rope, and adhesive.
Instructions
Crafting a Wrapped Basket
Remove the upper flaps from a cardboard box. You can accomplish this task using sharp scissors or a box cutter. If your box lacks stability, reinforce it now with duct tape or packing tape.
- Your box can vary in size, but bear in mind that larger boxes will necessitate more glue and rope.
Apply a short line of hot glue along the bottom edge of the box. Plug in your hot glue gun, insert a glue stick, and allow the gun to heat up. Once hot, apply a 1 to 2-inch (2.54 to 5.08-centimeter) line of hot glue along the bottom edge of the box, near one of the corners.
Swiftly press the end of jute cord into the glue. You can choose any thickness of cord. Thinner cord is preferable for smaller boxes, while thicker cord is suitable for larger ones.
Continue adhering and winding the cord around the box until you reach the top. Dispense another 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of hot glue, and press the cord onto it. Progress around the box in rows until you reach the top, ensuring there are no gaps between rows.
- If glue is limited, adhere the cord every few inches.
- Avoid applying excessive hot glue at once; it sets quickly.
Trim any excess rope. If necessary, secure the end with additional hot glue. At this stage, your basket is essentially finished, or you can proceed to make a lining and enhance its appearance further.
Determine the interior dimensions of your box for a lining. Use a ruler or tape measure to gauge the length and width of the box's bottom. If the sides differ in size, measure them as well.
Sketch your design on the reverse side of a large fabric piece. Draw the base of the box in the center of the fabric and extend the walls on either side of the base, forming a large + sign.
- You can opt for any fabric type you prefer. Given the rustic nature of jute cord, cotton, linen, or canvas would be ideal.
Trim around your pattern. Ensure to leave a ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) seam allowance on each edge. Neglecting this will result in a too-small lining.
Secure and stitch together the 'walls' of the lining. Fold each wall so that their edges meet, creating a box-like shape. Once pinned, sew the four corners with a ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) seam allowance. After sewing, remove the pins and do not reverse the lining.
Fold the upper hem down by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) and stitch it in place. Fold the hem along the top edge of the lining, ensuring it's folded towards the wrong side where the seams are. Stitch close to the raw edge and remove the pins afterward.
Place the lining inside and secure it with additional hot glue. Position the lining into the basket. If the fabric is lightweight, like cotton, attach the hem to the basket's edge with clothespins or binder clips. Apply hot glue inch by inch (2.54 centimeters) along the top edge of the box, removing the clips as you progress.
Crafting a Woven Basket
Outline the box's base on a piece of fabric or felt, then cut it out. This will serve as the inner lining of your basket. For a cleaner look, cut out two pieces of fabric or felt. Set them aside once done.
- You can choose any box size you prefer. Remember, the larger the box, the more rope you'll require.
Remove the top flaps of the box, then cut the box apart at the corners. Use sharp scissors or a box cutter for this. Start by cutting off the flaps, then slice straight down each of the four corners. Flatten the box to create a shape resembling a +.
Adhere your fabric/felt to the box's base. Apply tacky glue to the base using a stiff paintbrush, then position the material on top. Smooth out any wrinkles. If you've cut two pieces of material, ensure to glue the other one to the underside of the box as well.
Make ⅛-inch (0.32-centimeter) wide slits into each flap. Cut from the edge of the flap to the crease. Ensure even spacing of the slits—including the side edges of each flap. A spacing of about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) should suffice for most box sizes. These slits will form the 'fingers' of your basket.
- Ensure to cut slightly into the fabric/felt lining as well. This will help secure the lining during weaving and prevent raw edges.
- The slits should be approximately ⅛-inch (0.32-centimeter) wide to accommodate the weaving string.
- For larger boxes, opt for thicker cord to maintain proportionality. Make the slits around ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) wide to accommodate the cord's thickness.
Create a hole near the upper edge of each finger. Aim for centered holes as much as possible. These holes will be used for weaving the cord later, so position them close to the edge of each finger—around ⅛ to ¼-inch (0.32 to 0.64-centimeter) from the edge should suffice.
- For thinner boxes, a regular hole puncher may suffice. For thicker boxes, consider using a nail to punch the holes.
Secure the end of jute cord to the base of a finger using hot glue. Select a finger at the edge of a flap. Apply a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) line of hot glue along the finger, near the crease. Quickly attach the cord's end to the glue.
- Opt for thinner cord for better results.
Commence weaving the cord over and under each finger. Fold the flap and its adjacent one to form a corner when reaching the opposite end of the flap. Ensure tight weaving at the corners and weave over the fabric/felt to secure it to the fingers and widen the raw edges.
- Ensure tight weaving at the corners.
- Weave over the fabric/felt to pin it to the fingers and expand the raw edges.
Continue weaving until reaching the punched holes. Periodically press down on the rows to maintain tight weaving and prevent gaps. Ensure the holes remain large enough for the cord to pass through. If you run out of cord, tie a new one to the end and continue weaving, tucking the knot's tail ends under the cord as you proceed.
- Press down on the rows periodically to maintain tight weaving and avoid gaps.
Initiate weaving over the basket's top edge. Pass the cord under a finger, then thread it up through the finger's hole. Pull the cord up and feed it through the hole again.
- Keep the weaving loose in this section.
Advance to the next hole and thread the rope through it. Guide the cord past the adjacent hole, loop it behind the finger, and thread it out through the hole. Continue weaving the cord through every alternate hole until you return to the starting point.
Complete the top of the box. Upon returning to the starting point, every other finger should feature an empty hole. Continue weaving the cord over the fingers and through the empty holes. Repeat this process several times until the holes are filled, and the tops of the fingers are concealed.
Trim and tie off the cord once finished. After achieving the desired top for the basket, cut the cord, leaving a few inches/centimeters of tail. Tie the tail to one of the cords inside the basket and trim any excess. To prevent unraveling, secure it with a drop of glue if necessary.
Completed.
Recommendations
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Ensure to remove any stray threads and whiskers left behind by hot glue!
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Create miniature baskets using small boxes and yarn.
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Simplify your task by utilizing a box without top flaps, such as a shoebox.
Essentials
Instructions for Wrapped Basket
- Cardboard box
- Scissors
- Jute cord
- Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
- Fabric (optional)
- Sewing machine (optional)
- Thread (optional)
Instructions for Woven Basket
- Cardboard box
- Scissors
- Jute cord
- Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
- Fabric or felt
- Tacky glue
- Stiff paintbrush
