Bag It Up: How to Make a Basket Bag for Summer

This DIY basket bag is the perfect project for the season.

Using a simple basket (nearly any basket will work), you can create a super cute summer bag that is totally on trend.

Inspired by these bags from Clare V that I literally have been seeing everywhere lately, I wanted to create a bag that wouldn’t break the bank, but would mimic this look.

After a little trial and error, I came up with this quick and easy tutorial. And you’ll only need a few supplies to make your own!

I’m no stranger to making a DIY purse. I’ve embellished a few bags, like my flower print purses (and wallets), I’ve shared how to make a leather drawstring bag, and even made a DIY beach bag with woven placemats.

But this DIY bag has a distinctly summer vibe and I love the simplicity. It’s a great beginner project.

But my favorite part of the basket bag is the fact that you can deconstruct any time, without ruining the basket at all.

Here’s how you can make your own…

Materials for DIY Summer Basket Bag

• cool basket with no handles 
• leather straps or scraps (length dependent on preference)
• leather hole punch
• needle and embroidery floss in desired color
• ruler / straight edge
• sharp knife or boxcutter (for cutting the leather)

How to Make a Summer Basket Bag

1. Cut leather straps.

Start by cutting down a piece of leather to your desired handle size.

For one of the baskets (the neon striped one), I cut the leather down to just one piece that is 11 inches long and 2 inches wide.

And the other basket, was cut into two leather handles that are each 9.5 inches long and 1 inch wide.

It would also be cool to do a bag with really long leather straps that tape on more of a tote shape, if you have a basket that would work for that.

There are lots of possibilities for this one!

2. Punch holes in the leather.

Once the handle or handles have been cut, punch holes on each end of the leather in your desired design.

For the neon striped basket, I did three evenly spaced holes toward the bottom of each end of the strap.

And for the earthy striped basket, I punched two evenly spaced holes toward the bottom of each end of the leather handles.

3.  Attach the first leather strap.

Next, determine your desired placement of the handles on the basket and attach each handle to the basket with embroidery floss.

Just triple knot one end of the embroidery floss and then start threading through the inside of the basket and go through the already punched holes several times each (4-5 times each  hole should be good).

Then thread the floss through to the inside once more and triple knot the end before cutting off any excess.

4. Repeat step 3 for other strap.

Repeat this process from step 3 on all the handle holes until everything is secure and then it’s ready to use.

When I use one of these bags, I usually carry my wallet, sunglasses, some makeup, my keys, and a few other small items.

And it holds up great! But that said, these DIY summer basket bags probably aren’t meant for a ‘kitchen sink’ bag moment.

As long as you stitch the embroidery floss through multiple times, as I suggested, it’s totally sturdy for general use.

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DIY Basket Bag for Summer

Using a simple basket (nearly any basket will work), you can create a super cute summer bag that is totally on trend. Inspired by these bags from Clare V that I literally have been seeing everywhere lately, I wanted to create a bag that wouldn't break the bank, but would mimic this look. After a little trial and error, I came up with this quick and easy tutorial. And you'll only need a few supplies to make your own!

Keyword: basket, diy, summer, woven basket

Author: Brittni

Ingredients

• cool basket with no handles
• leather straps or scraps length dependent on preference
• leather hole punch
• needle and embroidery floss in desired color
• ruler / straight edge
• sharp knife or boxcutter for cutting the leather

Instructions

Cut leather straps.

• Start by cutting down a piece of leather to your desired handle size.
• For one of the baskets (the neon striped one), I cut the leather down to just one piece that is 11 inches long and 2 inches wide.
• And the other basket, was cut into two leather handles that are each 9.5 inches long and 1 inch wide.
• It would also be cool to do a bag with really long leather straps that tape on more of a tote shape, if you have a basket that would work for that.
• There are lots of possibilities for this one!

Punch holes in the leather.

• Once the handle or handles have been cut, punch holes on each end of the leather in your desired design.
• For the neon striped basket, I did three evenly spaced holes toward the bottom of each end of the strap.
• And for the earthy striped basket, I punched two evenly spaced holes toward the bottom of each end of the leather handles.

Attach the first leather strap.

• Next, determine your desired placement of the handles on the basket and attach each handle to the basket with embroidery floss.
• Just triple knot one end of the embroidery floss and then start threading through the inside of the basket and go through the already punched holes several times each (4-5 times each  hole should be good).
• Then thread the floss through to the inside once more and triple knot the end before cutting off any excess.

Repeat step 3 for other strap.

• Repeat this process from step 3 on all the handle holes until everything is secure and then it's ready to use.

Tried this recipe?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

Looking for more basket inspiration?

• Where to source woven baskets for storage
• Small woven baskets that were dip dyed as a 10 minute DIY
• A DIY that leverages woven baskets for storage and makes them loopy

Are you as excited for summer as I am? Minus the extreme heat in Atlanta, I ‘m happy to have an excuse to start with the summer project ideas!

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