Each week in 2017 I’ll be sharing a new DIY using the material of the month, and in January I’m working with cotton.  I wanted to reach outside of my comfort zone of sewing and making with fabric, and was really excited to try something beautiful and useful with cotton rope. This sunburst rope basket is simple and quick to make with a zig zag stitch on a sewing machine. It turned out to be the perfect catchall for our entry table, and of course has a million other possible uses because, it’s a basket.
This cotton rope has been sitting in my craft closet from some macrame projects I did last year. It’s a beautiful 100% natural cotton twisted rope, similar to rope or clothes line you might have in your craft closet or garage. The basket uses about 3-4 yards of rope. More would make a larger basket, and less a smaller.
Using a sewing machine with a zig zag stitch will be the fastest and easiest way to make this basket, although I’m sure that it could also be done with a needle and thread and a whole series (or two) on Netflix.

Rather than finish the top edge with a classic handle or two, I decided to add some sunburst loops. They give the basket a fun, bohemian vibe that I love and make it truly unique. One of my favorite things about making things myself is being able to play with the designs and make variations on more common projects. 
I finished the end by stitching it to the outside of the basket, then unraveling the edge of the rope to make a fringe tassel. Isn’t it cute? I tend to think most things look better with a tassel. This sunburst rope basket was no exception.So, are you ready to make your own?

Here’s how you make a sunburst cotton rope basket:

1. Grab 3-4 yards of 100% natural cotton rope in around 1/2″ diameter
2. Coil one end until it’s about 1″ around, then stick two pins through to keep it flat while you stitch
3. Set your sewing machine to a wide zig zag stitch, I used 5mm
4. Stitch across the first little coil back and forth to hold it’s shape
5. Remove the pins and aline the line of the coil and the new rope with the center of the presser foot, so the zig and zag catch both ropes
6. Keep the line centered as you spin the coil of the basket base. If you pull the rope tight it will start to curve into a basket early, if you let it too loose it will convex, so try to keep it as flat as possible
7. As you’re ready, start to pull the rope a bit tighter and bend the bowl up around the sewing machine to stitch the sides
8. When you have the bowl about the size you’d like, start making some sunbursts with the rope, pinning each dip in place
9. Stitch the base of the bursts with a zig zag stitch one by one, making sure to backstitch to lock the stitching in place
10. When you get around the whole basket, stitch the rope end to the front of the basket about 1/2″ and cut it leaving an inch or so to fray into a tassel

There you go! A beautiful, unique cotton rope basket with fun sunburst details on the edge. I would love to see this extra large to hold blankets or soft toys. It’s darling.

And of course Plum found it on the entry table and claimed it for her blocks. I think that’s a perfect use for it, too. In fact, I think it will have a chance to serve many purposes around here.
Last week’s cotton project was this genius pocket pillowcase.