DIY Easter Basket - Tutorial

I'm headed for Pittsburgh in a couple of weeks to visit a very special expectant mother (and her baby daddy) :) to celebrate the anticipated arrival of their first!  I'll be gone on Easter morning but wanted to ensure the Easter Bunny would not disappoint.

While I don't typically put "all of my eggs in one basket" (translation: I don't usually go all-out for Easter) I like the idea of my kids having heirloom Easter Baskets – something special that is theirs.

Although I didn't invent these baskets – you can find similar ones on Pinterest I'm sure – I watched them come together on my sewing machine and felt happy to be creating something so simply beautiful.

Materials to make approx. 1-gallon sized basket:
1 pkg. 100ft rope/clothesline (Home Depot) – $6.00
3 colors thread (used Gutermann) – $2.00 maybe
Sewing Machine (nothing fancy)

Directions:  
 - Begin sewing with a zig zag stitch in a coil pattern – catching the previous row of rope and the new rope you're adding.  
 - It's ok if you miss spots (you can go back and stitch them again) – it's ok if your stitches look wonky (adds to the organic             nature of it all) – it's ok if the shape isn't perfect!
 - Keep the bottom flat (like a coaster) until diameter is just under 8 inches.
 - Continue adding new rope, but bind the "coaster" at a 90 degree angle while sewing.  This will start the sides.
 - Continue to roll the basket as you sew.  You can decrease the angle for "A-line" sides or continue at 90 degrees for a 
        more bucket shaped basket.  Change thread colors wherever you like.
 - When you have about 2 yards of rope left, mark on each side where you would like your handles.  As you arrive at the 
        marked locations simply leave an opening in the stitching (lift your needle and slide the basket forward a couple of 
        inches).
 - After making handles, continue to add rope (even over the handle portions) until you run out of rope.

I hope you enjoy making simple heirlooms for your family.  I know I'll be making more for bathroom towels, sewing trinkets, etc.  They can be made in virtually any shape or size.

You can see the finished baskets below (I have to be careful that Axel doesn't see this post).  As always I go for a "less is more" policy when it comes to sugar.  Here are some ideas of non-sugar items to include: bubbles, legos, glow sticks, gum, fan, markers, playdoh.  Keep it simple and for gosh sake – don't set the bar too high for next year.

Warmly,
Jen