Tutorial: Halloween Candy Baskets For That Last Minute Touch {by Christina McKinney}

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We're excited to share this fantastic tutorial with you from Christina McKinney!  You procrastinators need not worry!  Christina lays it down simply for a quick-sew project you'll turn to again and again.  This project is sewn up quickly for a fun DIY touch to Halloween.  Take it away Christina!

So, who is still working on some last minute Halloween sewing? Allow me to add one more must-have project to your list. If you have 30 minutes to 1 hour, you’ve got time to make at least one of these. When you’re little one is walking the neighborhood in their ADORABLE costume, you need to have an equally adorable candy bin! These were made using the spooky & adorable Ghastlies collection By Alexander Henry.

Fabricworm has a pretty large assortment of Holiday/Seasonal fabrics here.  It's definitely too late to buy in time Halloween sewing.  But maybe you have some fabric from your stash that will work out. :)

**I’m patting myself on the back a little, but I’ve actually been done with kiddo costumes for over a week!! This is not normal for me - I am typically a last minute costume maker. Happy to be a little ahead of the game this year!**


If you’ve followed my previous tutorials, this one is going to look familiar. It’s my fabric bin tutorial, we’re just adding straps and changing it up a tiny bit. Still every bit as useful, cute, and EASY!

In my original tutorial, I laid out three sizes for you. These three sizes can all be used for this project, but I chose the largest bin. If you are using any of the other sizes, be sure to shorten your straps accordingly. I’d estimate that subtracting 2 inches per smaller size would be just right, but of course adjust them as you see fit. I did shorten the body by 1/2in since it’s not going to be folded over, but that’s the only dimension I changed. You could actually leave it the same, you’ll just end up with a slightly deeper bin than I did. (So on the largest bin, the 8.5in side was cut as 8in.)

There are two methods that can be used for cutting the bin pieces, click on over to the original tutorial for a more detailed explanation of that. In this tutorial, I will be using/explaining the Non Continuous method.

Supplies:
Outer fabric, 1/2 yd (You may need more, if your fabric is directional)
Lining fabric, 1/2 yd (You may need more, if your fabric is directional)
1/2 yrds fusible Pellon®, I used Décor Bond 809 for this.
Template (Created using the measurement above, I cut mine from poster board)

Cut:
2 outer pieces
2 inner lining pieces
2 Pellon body pieces
2 strap pieces 2 1/2in X 16in
2 Pellon strap pieces 3/4in X 16in (I cut mine from the main print, but for a little contrast you could cut them from the lining fabric)

**Pay attention when cutting your outer pieces. The smaller side of the bin is the bottom, so orient your fabric properly so it’s right side up when done. I cut my liner right side up as well since it’s not going to be flipped down in this version. (But really, will anyone care if your liner is upside down?? I don’t think so!)

So let’s get started!! Use a 1/2in seam throughout unless otherwise stated

First, iron your Pellon® to the wrong side of your lining pieces. Quick note here - I know that typically you’d attach the Pellon® lining to the outer piece. However, I found that by attaching it to the inner pieces, you create a very stable inside that holds the outer piece tight as well.



With right sides together, sew your main body pieces along the short bottom edge. Repeat with your lining pieces as well.

Press this seam open.

With right sides together, sew up the long sides of your outer bin pieces. Repeat with the inner lining pieces.

Press the side seams open on both pieces.

Now, sew up each corner forming your bin bottom.

You will leave the pieces inside out and open up each corner. Press them flat together matching up your bottom seam and your side seam. Do this for each corner of your outer pieces and each corner of your lining pieces.

Pin each side in place so that the seams stay matched. Sew in place.

Once sewn, your corners should look like this:

Next, you’re going to join your inner and outer body pieces. With your lining piece inside out, and your outer piece right side out, put them right sides together. (The outer piece should be down inside the outer piece) Make sure to line up your side seams! Pin this in place and set aside.

Now you’ll need to assemble your straps. I am NOT a fan of turning tiny tubes right side out, SO, this is how I assemble the straps to avoid that. Take each strap piece and turn the edges under 1/4in toward the wrong side and press.

Fold each piece in half and press.

Take your strip of Pellon and lay it under the fold edge of one side of your strap and press in place. (You may want to add a strip to both sides for extra sturdy straps)

Once the Pellon® is in place, topstitch along the open edge to enclose your seams using a 1/8 seam allowance. You may also want to topstitch along the other side to make it even. Your short sides will still be open with raw edges. These will be buried in your seams, no need to worry about finishing them.

Once your straps are assembled, you’re going decide how you want them to lay and slip them between the layers of your bin. I’ve decided there’s not really an exact way to do this, it just depends on how you would like the straps to end up positioned. For this large sized tote, I took a ruler and measured 5 inches from each side seam and made a little pencil mark.

Then, I decided how I wanted the straps to lay. (DON’T sew them like this! Just a shot to show you what they will look like in between the two layers.)

Using my pencil mark for the outside edge of the strap, I slipped the strap between the layers and pinned in place. **Be sure to not twist your straps on this step!** I left about 1/4 of the strap above the bin edge. This isn’t necessary, but I prefer doing it this way to make sure the straps are sewn into the seam completely. Repeat this on the opposite side so that both your straps are in place. You may want them closer/farther apart, it’s up to you! Just make sure to mark the placement so that they end up even.

You need to leave a gap for turning your bin right side out. I found it best to do this between the straps on one side. Make sure you reinforce your stitching on each side of your stop and start point.

Sew around the top of your bin.

Turn your bin right side out.

Fold in your turning gap and press the edges under. I also press the rest of the bin at this point to make sure all the seams are completely turned out and to smooth everything out.

Topstitch around the top one time to close your gap. You might want to do a second row of stitching, just for decoration.


DONE! Wasn’t that super fast & easy?


You’re now all ready for a fun night of Trick or Treating!!

Clearly, he’s wondering how much candy he can fit in his awesome new tote.

Happy Halloween,
Christina

Thank you Christina for sharing your adorable son, and this fantastic trick or treat bin!