First published 2011. Updated 2019.
Fabric Easter Baskets
These adorable fabric Easter baskets are so much fun to make and they make a wonderful keepsake you can take out year after year! I used to make them every year in my first grade classroom around Easter.
About 15 minutes into making our baskets (and once glue was successfully smeared over every surface in the classroom), I usually wondered why in the world I chose to make these once again. But the kids loved them, the parents adored them, and it was something out of the ordinary!
Plus, this is a craft that ends up looking good no matter what! Even when a child chose the most horrendous colors or sloppily stuck the fabric on…once they were dry they looked absolutely adorable, despite my serious doubts during the process! Children as young as 3 years old can help with this Easter craft, though they probably won’t be “helping” from start to finish.
How To Make Fabric Easter Baskets
Here’s what you’ll need:
- pinking shears (or scissors)
- scrap fabric cut into 1-2 inch squares (using the pinking shears)
- a balloon
- glue
- hole punch
- wired ribbon.
How To Make Your Balloon Basket:
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| 1. Blow up the balloon and draw a line about 1/3 of the way up the balloon. |
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| 2. Pour out a bunch of glue on a covered surface. Be prepared to use about 1/2 a bottle of glue on one basket. |
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| 3. Dip each individual piece in the glue (so that the backside is nicely coated) and place below the line on your balloon. |
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| Continue, making sure to stagger the fabric pieces on top of each other so as not to leave any holes. |
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| Big Brother had fun doing this…for a little while anyway. After about 5 minutes, he was ready to get the dried glue off his hands! |
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| 4. Once every area of the balloon (below the line) is covered with absolutely no holes, take more glue and wipe it across the top of the entire surface. Make sure there is a thin layer of glue over every piece of fabric. |
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| 5. Hang it up to dry overnight (or longer if necessary). I used a child-size hanger and attached it using a clothespin, hanging it off our dining room light fixture. Make sure you put something underneath wherever you hang it because it will most likely drip a little glue. |
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| See? |
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| 6. Once it is completely dry (overnight or longer) and there are no sticky areas, use a needle to pop the balloon. |
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| The balloon will separate itself from the basket as it deflates… |
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| But you might have to help it along a bit, especially if it is not completely dry. |
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| Take the balloon out and toss it. |
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| 7. Use a hole punch to make a hole on each end of the basket. |
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| 8. Cut a long piece of your wide wired ribbon and twist one end. |
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| 9. From the outside in, tie a couple knots in the ribbon until big enough to not slip through the hole. Repeat on the other side. |
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| I love how this basket kinda looks like an Easter Egg itself…especially when turned upside down! |
Check Out More Fun Easter Ideas
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Stephanie says
April 11, 2011 at 8:12 amSuper cute!
The Davey's says
April 11, 2011 at 9:33 amLOOOVE it!
Kelly & Ashley says
April 11, 2011 at 9:44 amSo cute. I have done this with yarn but never fabric. Shared on Kid Kapers -http://kidkapers.blogspot.com/2011/04/fabric-collage-easter-basket.html
Ms.M says
April 11, 2011 at 11:40 amThis is super cute!!! I will have to try this.
Ms. M
http://www.msk1ell.blogspot.com
My Oatmeal Kisses says
April 11, 2011 at 4:07 pmThat is a darling idea! I can't wait to try it. I have lots of cute scraps that will be perfect for this!
Anonymous says
April 11, 2011 at 5:43 pmI have made these before, they come out so cute. I love the idea of using a balloon. I usually turn a bowl upside down and cover it with plastic wrap. Love the fabrics you have chosen :)
becca says
April 12, 2011 at 3:45 pmthis is so neat…Ive never seen anything like it before. Wish I would have known about this activity when I was teaching my first graders ;-)
amber says
April 14, 2011 at 11:10 amOH, I love this we may just have to make one this wknd. Thanks for posting.
Hallie says
April 14, 2011 at 3:34 pmI can't wait to try this!!! : )
Anonymous says
April 14, 2011 at 7:43 pmI wish I had some fabric! Maybe next year!
Great idea.
Carla
Darcey says
April 17, 2011 at 3:06 pmWhat a neat idea! They came out cool too. I've linked up to your post on my weekly favorites here: http://play2grow.blogspot.com/2011/04/weekly-favorites-for-april-17-2011.html
Anonymous says
April 18, 2011 at 9:00 pmgreat tutorial! thanks!!!
Lily says
November 7, 2011 at 1:37 pmVery cute. What a great way to use up fabric scraps. This would be a great way to make a Halloween candy bag too!!
Virginia says
December 30, 2011 at 10:52 amThis is really cute. It would also be great to use up old Christmas fabric. Love it
Jerrica says
January 17, 2013 at 12:57 pmso you use regular school glue or can you use modge podge?
Courtney Wright says
February 19, 2014 at 7:39 pmDoes it matter what kind of fabric you use?
Jenae says
February 19, 2014 at 7:46 pmNo, any fabric should work just fine. :)
Cheryl Vavak says
March 17, 2014 at 5:46 pmI luv this idea but can u use liquid starch too???
Heather says
March 31, 2014 at 3:52 pmWill this project work with scrapbook paper or construction paper instead of fabric?
Jenae says
April 4, 2014 at 2:42 pmI’m not sure, but it would be worth a try! Let us know how it turns out. :)
Print me Pretty says
April 12, 2014 at 6:19 amI love this! I’ve made my own, and have included it in my blog http://www.printmepretty.co.uk/159/Make-a-fabric-basket. Hope that’s OK.
Dora says
March 31, 2017 at 9:44 amI usually make paper mache baskets with my class, but I’ve decided to make these next week instead. They look so cute. I made one for practice, however the material keeps sliding down the balloon. Could I have used to much glue?