A coiled rope basket is one of the most satisfying things you can make on a home sewing machine. You wind soft cotton clothesline into a spiral and zigzag it together, and in under an hour you have a sturdy bowl with handles. Pam from The Birch Cottage shows the whole method, from the first tight coil to stitching down the final end.
How to make a coiled rope basket: the short version
- Unwind the rope and cut the end at an angle.
- Coil the end three or four turns and zigzag across it to lock it.
- Zigzag round and round, keeping the rope flat, until the base is the size you want.
- Tilt the base up against the machine to build the sides.
- Leave loops of slack for handles, then trim and stitch the end down.
Choosing rope
Look for 100 percent cotton clothesline about 7/32 to 1/4 inch thick. It is soft enough for a home machine and stiff enough to hold a shape. Skip rope with a plastic core or a nylon wrap. A small bowl takes 50 to 80 feet. A larger storage basket can use 150 feet or more, so buy extra. Some rope sheds lint, so clean out the bobbin area after each project.
Machine settings and needle
Set your machine to its widest zigzag, with a medium stitch length. The stitch should catch the rope on both sides of the seam. Use a heavy needle, a jeans or denim needle in size 90 or 100, so it does not bend in the thick rope. A zigzag foot or an open toe foot gives you a clear view of the join. Wind two or three bobbins before you start, because a basket eats thread.
How the sides form
The angle you hold the base at decides the shape. Lift it a little and you get a shallow, flared bowl. Hold it nearly upright against the side of the machine and the walls go straight up. Keep the same angle all the way around, or the sides will wobble. Pam stops at a height she likes and moves on to the handles.
Colored thread and decorations
Matching thread disappears into the rope. Contrasting or variegated thread turns every round into a stripe. Pam stitched an embroidery design into the flat base on her embroidery machine before building the sides. You can also wrap fabric scraps around the rope as you go, or add a band of dyed rope near the top.
Ways to use a rope basket
Small bowls hold keys, jewelry or sewing notions by the machine. Larger ones store yarn, toys or towels. Stop at the flat base stage and you have a coaster, a trivet or a mug rug. A set of three in graduated sizes makes a lovely gift.
Common problems
- Gaps between rounds. Push the new round snug against the last one as it goes under the foot.
- Base cups up too early. You were lifting the coil. Keep it flat on the bed of the machine until you want sides.
- Broken needles. Pull pins out before they reach the foot, and use a heavier needle.
More easy sewing: start with how to sew, then try a drawstring bag. Prefer a hook? See how to crochet a basket, or build a clay coil pot the same spiral way.
