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

By Brittni • posted on 08/20/2023

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

Woman holding striped basket bag walking through town

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!

Stitch leather handle onto striped woven basket that is brown and pink

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…

Side by side of basket with two different uses - as a planter and as a purse

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.

Instructions for attaching leather handles to plan baskets to make a basket bag

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.

Woman holding striped basket bag in front of a shell wall

Woman holding stripes basket bag in front of her, wearing a neutral summer outfit

Woman wearing neutral clothing, carrying a striped basket bag that holds flowers and greenery

Woman wearing casual summer outfit and carrying a striped woven purse

Woman carrying striped woven purse in front of her, that is holding a bottle of wine and floral greenery

DIY Basket Bag for Summer

Brittni
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!
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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.
Did you make this?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

Looking for more basket inspiration?

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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17 comments | Click here to reply

What a fabulous post!! Very interesting.

Nippon

Amazing idea! I never would have thought of that. But then again that’s why your blog is so successful and exactly why we included you on our best sites to follow in 2019!

https://www.annieandoak.com/blogs/design-style/best-modern-farmhouse-sites-award

This is also great for the environment! Staying away from plastic and creating something re-usable.

Thanks!

Kyle

Annie & Oak | Kyle

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These are so adorable!!😁 I am going to make one for myself….if all goes well then my daughter will get one! You have great insructions!🌷 Thanks for this really cool idea😊 Take care, Stacy

Stacy Burton

[…] Favorite DIY (this homemade basket bag idea that won’t break the bank via Paper & Stitch): […]

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[…] • If you’re feeling crafty and have an unused basket lying around, Paper & Stitch can help you turn it into a cute summer basket bag. […]

This + That – Keira Lennox

That’s a nice DIY!! I made one and it looks awesome. Perfect for shopping veggies and fruits. This DIY should be promoted more, there is a great need for an alternative to plastic bags.

Sarah

[…] haven’t noticed, woven bags are one of this Summer’s staples. But who knew you could make a stylish basket bag from an old […]

Friday Favorites | Volume Fifty-Three • Original Caroline

Great idea, I need that bag
Blog:https://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com/

The pink pineapple

Aw, thanks Kacey. Always nice to hear.

Brittni

What?! This is the cutest! And so easy! Thanks so much for sharing.

Kacey Perez

Thanks Paul. I appreciate that. 🙂

Brittni

Brilliant idea – looks very posh.

Paul

Definitely a great bag for the season, Andrea. Thanks! 🙂

Brittni

This is such a cool and helpful idea considering this type of bag is the one for the season!
https://www.conamorandrea.com

Andrea

Thanks Michelle. I just love how easy it is.

Brittni

That is such a neat idea, and it looks so beautiful!
https://www.makeandmess.com/

Michelle
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