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Have I ever mentioned that since leaving home at 19 the longest I’ve ever lived in one home is 5 years? Well, it’s true. So, this is the second longest we’ve ever lived in a home and I’m learning quite a bit about myself. Like I have no idea what you are supposed to do when the calking around your tub gets mildew and you can’t get it off (even with bleach). Thanks to You Tube we figured it out.
Or what in the world do people (who don’t have large pantries, or mudrooms) do with their potatoes? We go through about 10lbs of potatoes every week or two and since I don’t really know what to do with them I just put the bag by the stove.
Gross, I know. But it’s true and since I spent July completely cleaning and organizing every part of our kitchen it was driving me crazy. So last week I decided to look on Pinterest and google images to find a solution. Then I came across this older post from LuSa Organics. I was totally inspired. She used coffee sacks which I don’t have but I knew I had some burlap in the crap craft closet.
Even though I was totally trying to hurry, I snapped some progress photos to share with you. There isn’t a photo for every step, so make sure you also read 😉
The first thing you need to do is find an oval platter, burlap and some fabric you only need about a yard of burlap and a yard of fabric. My platter measured 13″ across and 10″ wide. I just turned the platter over on the burlap and fabric and traced the oval. Then I cut them out and measured all around the outside to get my length for the sides. My length was 36″ and I decided to make it 12″ high. I cut the rectangle for the sides out of burlap and fabric that measured 12″ X 36″.
So, I had two ovals, and two rectangles. Take the burlap rectangle and fold it over so that the short sides of the rectangle match. Stitch a straight seam. Since burlap frays quite easily, I also ziz zagged the edge and then sewed a second straight seam. Now you have a tube.
Open one side of the tube (this will be the bottom of the basket) and pin the burlap oval onto the tube (like in the photo above).
Now, stitch a quarter inch seam all around the oval. When you are done, go back an zig zag and then do a second straight stitch. Now you have a bucket.
You are doing to do the exact same thing for your fabric. Make sure to keep right sides together (I didn’t have enough fabric left over from making pillows for the bottom so I used some drop cloth fabric from our stockings as the bottom which is why my fabrics don’t match in the photo.) Also, leave about a 6″ hole in one side of the seam. This is how you are going to turn it right side out.
Next, turn the burlap basket right side out and put it inside the fabric one. Pin all around the top and then sew them together. I used a 1/4″ seam and then I zig zagged.
Once the top is sewn, pull the burlap part out through the hole.
Pin the hole closed and sew it shut.
I just did it on the machine, but you can do it by hand if you want to.
Push the lining into the burlap basket and pin all around the top, making sure the seam is how it is supposed to be.
Top stitch all around the top. This will give your baskets a nice, tidy edge. You don’t have to to this part, but I always top stitch.
Turn the top down and fill with potatoes. This bag has 12 pound of potatoes in it.
Then make more for the onions and garlic to not only un-gross your kitchen but to actually make it a little more cute.
Some tips for making burlap and fabric produce baskets
Make sure you use burlap that is stiff. When I decided to make the other two, I had to go buy some burlap. I didn’t realize there was a difference in how tight burlap is woven and the baskets turned out super flimsy. Then I was able to find some stiff and tightly woven burlap.
When you are putting the oval onto the tube, it’s ok if it doesn’t match up completely. If the oval is too big, you can trim is just a little and if the sides are too big, just increase your seam allowance on the side. Unless you are going to make a lot of these don’t get super uptight about exact measurements.
The burlap can really stretch out so be careful not to tug on it very much.
We’ve been in our home over 16 years and I’ve always just plopped the potato bag right by the stove/oven, too….until, I noticed that if I plop it right around the corner in the utility room, there’s less light….I did that after reading about the light tip and wanted to avoid green potatoes. (We’ve never had much of a problem since we scarf them down rather quickly.) BUT! How cute are these produce baskets!?! I’m so thankful that I’m following closely behind you on your adventures. Your posts are so frequently and answer to a question, or a prayer!
Great Idea Love the Bags Thanks for sharing….. Just a note on the lids to the pickle jars…… I reuse both the 1/2 and 1 gallon size…use steel wool to ruff up the surface of lids and spray paint and then use chalkboard peel and stick labels…… Never know they were pickle jars…. I used the hammered bronze on mine 🙂
Thanks for the idea! I tried spray painting one of the lids but it’s coming off, so I didn’t bother with the others. Makes sense to ruff up the surface first. 😉
We grow our own potatoes and store in extra refrigerator…120 pounds this year. To keep some handy for cooking, I fill a clay flower pot to the back of the lower shelf of the frig. In the kitchen. The smaller or knobby ones get cooked with skins in in water till tender. Drain and store in frig for potato salad, fried potatoes, etc. handy and ready for quick meal.
I love the burlap bags. Washable too. A shorter one would be nice for fruit and veges kept for use on the counter!
Love these! I will have to make some. Both potatoes and onions should be stored where they can breath so the burlap is perfect. Just don’t store them next to each other. Gas from the onions cause the potatoes to sprout. I would never store potatoes in the fridge. It turns the starch into sugar. When I get a good crop from the garden, I store them in cheap styrofoam coolers in a cool spot in the basement. I wish I had the root cellar my dad had. Maybe some day.
Potentially silly question…is the burlap mostly for looks? Or is it better than a sturdy fabric? I understand it’s good to have some airflow; just wondering if some of my thicker fabrics would also work. Or even any cotton fabric if interfacing is used?
That’s not silly at all. I used burlap just because I thought it looked nice for the project, you can use whatever fabric you want. But you probably do want some airflow depending on what you are going to use them for. I’d love to see the combos you come up with!
This is very clever to make produce baskets from burlap and fabric! I love the rustic look of burlap. Thanks for submitting your tutorial post to DIY Crush! I just published it.
I made these with dark brown landscape fabric- the dark color also helps preserve the potatoes. It’s breathable fabric -which is what the burlap accomplishes. I used heavy canvas for the outside with vents- you can do that with randomly spaced small grommets or you can just make some button holes on the canvas before sewing the bucket- don’t forget to slit them open- yup- I forgot. I also put a short drawstring around the top to keep it closed to keep the light out.
Such a good idea and I can’t wait to try, I have some old coffee sacks ready for such a project.
Did you need a special needle on your machine? And did the burlap shed lots of stuff into the machine?
The burlap does shed some but not tons. I usually open my machine and use canned air to dust it out after sewing with burlap. No, I didn’t use a special needle, just a universal needle. Be sure to zig zag the seams to keep the burlap from fraying as you use the baskets.
Very cool, Angie! I’m going to have to show this to my wife and ask her to make us some! Love them!!
Thanks Patrick! I’d love to see the ones she makes!
These are adorable! Mind if I include her in my homestead kids in business post? If it’s ok, do you need me to send you another questionnaire?
Of course you can. I still have the questionnaire I’ll put it on my to-do list for today 😉
Just take care that your kitchen is not too bright. Sunlight will turn potatoes green – and poisonous! Maybe a cloth flap cover for the potato bin?
Thanks for the tip! I know direct sunlight will do that when they growing or drying out, but I’ve never had it happen in my kitchen.
What a great idea!
I have mine in a giant bowl, but I really like the bags. Looks like I’ll have to get some burlap.
We’ve been in our home over 16 years and I’ve always just plopped the potato bag right by the stove/oven, too….until, I noticed that if I plop it right around the corner in the utility room, there’s less light….I did that after reading about the light tip and wanted to avoid green potatoes. (We’ve never had much of a problem since we scarf them down rather quickly.) BUT! How cute are these produce baskets!?! I’m so thankful that I’m following closely behind you on your adventures. Your posts are so frequently and answer to a question, or a prayer!
Blessings!
That’s funny, Becca. I’m glad I’m not the only one who just plops the bag on the floor. But no more!
So lovely, can’t wait to make a few with my little girl. Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome! I’d love to see the ones you make with your little girl.
this is co clever and handy and….pretty all bagged together – wink! great idea indeed!
Hugs
Thanks Kristeen.
Yay! I have my bag on top of the fridge and everyone asks about the ‘ugly’ bag. Great idea!
ha! We used to keep them on the fridge but years ago one fell behind the fridge and rotted….ugh, we thought it was a dead mouse it smelled so bad.
Uber gross!!! I never thought about that possibility, thanks for the warning!
I only shared because we’re friends 😉
Great Idea Love the Bags Thanks for sharing….. Just a note on the lids to the pickle jars…… I reuse both the 1/2 and 1 gallon size…use steel wool to ruff up the surface of lids and spray paint and then use chalkboard peel and stick labels…… Never know they were pickle jars…. I used the hammered bronze on mine 🙂
Thanks for the idea! I tried spray painting one of the lids but it’s coming off, so I didn’t bother with the others. Makes sense to ruff up the surface first. 😉
We grow our own potatoes and store in extra refrigerator…120 pounds this year. To keep some handy for cooking, I fill a clay flower pot to the back of the lower shelf of the frig. In the kitchen. The smaller or knobby ones get cooked with skins in in water till tender. Drain and store in frig for potato salad, fried potatoes, etc. handy and ready for quick meal.
I love the burlap bags. Washable too. A shorter one would be nice for fruit and veges kept for use on the counter!
oh, I hope I can grow that many potatoes one day!! I love keeping some cooked potatoes in the frig, too, they make a great snack.
Love these! I will have to make some. Both potatoes and onions should be stored where they can breath so the burlap is perfect. Just don’t store them next to each other. Gas from the onions cause the potatoes to sprout. I would never store potatoes in the fridge. It turns the starch into sugar. When I get a good crop from the garden, I store them in cheap styrofoam coolers in a cool spot in the basement. I wish I had the root cellar my dad had. Maybe some day.
oh, a root cellar would be lovely! We live too close to sea level but I’ve always wanted one.
Potentially silly question…is the burlap mostly for looks? Or is it better than a sturdy fabric? I understand it’s good to have some airflow; just wondering if some of my thicker fabrics would also work. Or even any cotton fabric if interfacing is used?
That’s not silly at all. I used burlap just because I thought it looked nice for the project, you can use whatever fabric you want. But you probably do want some airflow depending on what you are going to use them for. I’d love to see the combos you come up with!
Thanks for the tutorial!
<3
This is very clever to make produce baskets from burlap and fabric! I love the rustic look of burlap. Thanks for submitting your tutorial post to DIY Crush! I just published it.
Thanks Denise!
These are gorgeous! I can’t wait to make some!! Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome! I’d love to see what you make, feel free to post them on my fb page if you want (http://facebook.com/schneiderpeeps)
I made these with dark brown landscape fabric- the dark color also helps preserve the potatoes. It’s breathable fabric -which is what the burlap accomplishes. I used heavy canvas for the outside with vents- you can do that with randomly spaced small grommets or you can just make some button holes on the canvas before sewing the bucket- don’t forget to slit them open- yup- I forgot. I also put a short drawstring around the top to keep it closed to keep the light out.
That’s a great idea, Kim. Thanks so much for sharing.
Such a good idea and I can’t wait to try, I have some old coffee sacks ready for such a project.
Did you need a special needle on your machine? And did the burlap shed lots of stuff into the machine?
The burlap does shed some but not tons. I usually open my machine and use canned air to dust it out after sewing with burlap. No, I didn’t use a special needle, just a universal needle. Be sure to zig zag the seams to keep the burlap from fraying as you use the baskets.