Inside: How to Make a Baby Doll Basket with Binding
You many remember back in January I mentioned that I was in Florida for a week. I was traveling there to meet up with my daughter and her family who were escaping the Newfoundland winter. Because we were all traveling by plane it makes bringing gifts for my granddaughter difficult. It’s not like I can put a toddler bike in my suitcase. What’s a grandmother to do?
That’s when I remembered seeing this Baby Doll Basket Pattern. Since I’d sent my granddaughter a Stella Peach Baby Doll (affiliate) for Christmas, I thought a baby doll basket would make a great companion gift. And, it would be easy to squash into suitcases for travel to and from Florida.
As far as the ePatterns go, this one is well-written and the steps are well thought out. If you are looking for a similar gift idea then you will like this pattern.
There were only a couple of changes that I made and I wanted to show them to you in case you decide to make this pattern, too.
1. The Handles
The pattern calls for high loft batting for the basket AND the handles. For the basket the high loft batting is perfect; however, I thought the batting would make it difficult to sew the bias tape to the handles so I substituted regular quilt batting. It didn’t alter the outcome in any way. I also think the flexible foam interfacing would work really well for this entire pattern. The foam interfacing is used in my Tiny Town Tote Pattern and the structure is similar.
2. Attaching the Binding
I want to first say that this is an excellent pattern. Everything about it is well-thought out, it’s beautifully drafted, and the steps are clearly explained. The step-by-step photos clearly show what needs to be done. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to make something like a baby doll basket.
However there is one area that I did differently, that is the method used for attaching the bias tape. Since bias tape is a significant part of this pattern, one wouldn’t want to lose her religion over this step which is why I’m showing you a second option which I’ve broken down into simple steps.
Currently, the pattern calls for you to place the bias tape over the raw edges, pin in place, and stitch down. I know many people attach bias tape this way, but there is another method I want to share. That way, you have a couple of options. Best of all, this alternate method works any time you need to attach bias tape to almost anything.
And, I feel like I can comment on this because I’ve attached (literally) 50 thousand yards of bias tape to aprons I was selling on Etsy from 2008 – 2011. I learned this method the old fashioned way ~ I was traumatized taught by a pseudo-Nazi Home Ec teacher who insisted upon perfection.
Here’s my pattern alteration and tips on how to attach bias tape.
1. Cut the correct length of Bias Tape. No brainer here, just make sure you have plenty of bias tape for your project. If you want to make your own, check out this tutorial: Learn How to Make Your Own Bias Tape
2. Press open one of the folded sides of the bias tape. Leave the other edge folded.
3. From the folded edge create a triangle by folding up the raw edge of the end. Match the top edge to the side edge and press. Doing this will nicely finish where the bias tape overlaps.
4. Pin the right side of the bias tape to the wrong side of the fabric edge. In the case of the Baby Doll Basket this will be the inside of the basket. Pin the raw edge of the bias strip to the raw edge where the fabrics come together. Use lots of pins.
Continue to pin in this matter around the entire edge of the Baby Doll basket until you get back to the start.
When you get back to the start you will come to the folded triangle. Overlap the raw edges about 1″ and pin to hold. Cut away excess bias tape.
5. Stitch on the fold line. This should be about a 3/8″ seam allowance for the Baby Doll Basket. This takes a little patience to sew. Be sure to go slowly. I didn’t have any problems, but I took my time.
6. The next step will be to press the bias tape open. Press the bias tape flat away from the sewn edge. Press the seam towards the bias tape.
7. Fold the bias tape over the raw edge and press. Pin around the entire opening. Notice how nice it looks where the bias tape overlaps.
8. You will now be sewing down the bias tape on the outside of your baby doll basket. This stitching will show, so carefully stitch down near the edge of the bias tape. The bias tape will now be secured twice. Use this method for the doll handles and the edge of the baby doll blanket.
Fill with your favorite baby doll.
Woot! My DD and I have been eyeing this doll carrier for some time now, picking out friends to make one for, choosing our own dolls and animals to make one for…. Thanks so much for the tips and changes! Now if I could just win one of those lovely patterns by Dana… 🙂 Thank you for this post!!
Love the baby doll carrier! Perfect for my four year old granddaughter! Thanks.
this basket is so cute, my granddaughter would love one, or two!
I would love to win a pattern for the basket, to make one for my granddaughter. It is adorable. Thank you for the opportunity.
This baby doll basket would look fantastic in my great granddaughter’s favorite color: pink.
So pretty! I’ve been looking for something like this for my 3-yr-old daughter and her 4-yr-old cousin.
I have a Granddaughter that would Love to carry her “babies” in one of these!
My baby girl loves purple, so I’d make the baby basket with some pretty purple material. She just turned 2 last Saturday and got a baby doll for her birthday. 🙂
What a beautiful basket. This would be treasured by any little girl. Thank you for sharing the changes you made. I think I’d like to have a go at this. Grandchildren seem to love homemade gifts.
I have Care Bear materiel that would be perfect. I also have an old Care Bear pattern that I would make to go with the basket.
My daughter is crazy for foxes so I would have to find the perfect fox fabric for this one!
What a great pattern and suggestions! I am just getting back into sewing after 30 years and would to sew this for my grandchild that’s coming! Reading your posts always leaves me thinking about why I enjoyed sewing so much when I was younger. Thank you
Would love to win this pattern as I have several special children that would love to have something like this for their babies!
My sweet little Sofia would probably love this in a lavender and pink with lots of flowers all over it. I love the idea that it can be squished to travel. Thank you so much for sharing. I love your blog. I especially liked your organization series. My problem is I have 54 years of “stuff” to get rid of, especially photograph albums. Keep blogging!
Oh I so have to make this for my DGD before I mail their package out to Alberta. Perfect finish for her dolly present.
I am thinking lavender with white accents. Maybe lilac checks with lilac accents. The choice is endless.
Would love to win a pattern…I already know three little girls I can sew this for that would be overjoyed.
How would you rate the pattern on level of ability? Just wondering…thanks for the added tips…I have enjoyed your site.
I just love how everyone is wanting to make one of these baskets for a special little girl in their life. That’s what makes sewing so special. We always want to sew something and then give it away.
The pattern is what I would call Beginner Intermediate. You need to have sewn some things before and be familiar with sewing terms. But the sewing is simple.
Would love to make this for my granddaughters! (I tried to post a comment but, something went wrong, grandma is still learning LOL).
I have had my eye on this pattern. So cute. Just waiting to find out if the new grand babies will be girls! Would love to win it.
I would love to make this carrier in a pink color and present it as a gift to a special little girl I know and love!
Leslie, thank you for sharing your technique for applying bias tape. I am blessed with 2 granddaughters, so I would make one doll basket in pink and the other in yellow-their favorite colors! My 2-1/2 yr. old grandson would probably like one to carry around his stuffed giraffe or Mickey Mouse, especially if his older sister has one. His basket would have to be orange-his favorite color!
How darling! Love the doll basket and my granddaughter would as well! Thanks for sharing!
I would love to have this pattern as I have several granddaughters who would love to have it for their babies.
So cute! Love this pattern and your choice of fabric. I had a baby basket just like this for my own daughter 34 years ago. Would love to make one for my granddaughter.
Absolutely love this pattern!!! Thanks for the great tips on binding! As a person who loves to sew, we can never have too many tips on making it better or easier.
I would use pink fabric for the outside of the basket as this is my 2 year old granddaughters favorite color. The inside would probably be purple, her 2nd favorite color.
Leslie I have that pattern but havent used it yet I Can’t wait to make some for my granddaughters I have 8 and Six 5 and under
What a great gift this would make my only granddaughter…I recently made her first cloth doll and what a nice little bed this would be. Thank your for offering this giveaway!
That is the most adorable baby
That is the most adorable baby
Ooooh this is ADORABLE!!!! Our Grangirlie would LOOOVE it!! And for her, it would be in something Pink for sure! lol thank you for the chance to win! 🙂
I am so glad your home-ec teacher insisted upon this method – it IS perfect. Thank you for sharing! xo
My best quilting buddy past away last Aug at the age of 60, without meeting her 2 new baby granddaughters that both her sons were expecting. She was so looking forward to being a grandmother. She left behind 20 Dear Jane blocks that I am making into a doll quilt for each of them…in memory of the grandmother they would never know. This would be so cute to put the doll blanket in. Love it. Susan
I have the cutest Charlie Harper cardinal fabric that my little granddaughter would love for her doll carrier. We like to identify the birdies at the birdfeeder together and the cardinals are her absolute favorite! Thanks for the chance to win!
Making it in orange gingham with Royal blue bias for my 2 1/2 year old grandSON!! He has a baby brother and loves carrying around his baby doll. 🙂
Getting a new g-grand daughter in April after 5 g-gson’s. I would make one for her. Hope you choose me. Thanks.
I would make on in green, my grandaughter favorite color
This is such a cute pattern. I had a Phillipine baby basket that I used for all three of my children I made a small one for my daughter, but somewhere in all the moves we made as a Navy family that doll basket was lost. I would love to be able to make a basket like this for my (future) granddaughter.
Sorry…forgot to mention that I would make it in yellows and greens, reminiscent of the one my daughter had but lost.
Would love to make one of thee for my grand niece!
I would make my baby doll basket lavender with accents of purple. My granddaughter would love it!
This baby basket is just too cute. I have a great niece that I hope to make it for. The good news is she is only 10 months old so I have lots of time to get it done before she will really use it. I also live in a different country than her so having one that I can easily mail is a bonus. As for colors, well right now I am in love with Coral and Robin’s Egg blue so I would lean towards those colors when selecting fabrics. Thanks for the chance to win this cute doll basket!
My daughter would love this 🙂 She is soo into her babies lately! I find them in her highchair or the rocking chair all the time.
this basket is adorable. My daughter would love to carry her dolls the way I carry her little baby brother. Thanks for sharing the bias tip.
I love this baby doll basket! My daughter has her 4th birthday coming up, and tons of dolls to carry. I need to make this for her!
I would do it in a really pretty pinks with flowers and little animals, since it would be for my granddaughter
How adorable!! Really cute and I wish I had something like that when my son was a baby!
Absolutely gorgeous. Would be perfect for my two granddaughters…..love it ❤️❤️
I would love to make this for my niece. Great job
I just found your blog looking for information on QuiltCon and am having fun looking around. I have a LOT of neices, so this would be a fun pattern to have on hand! Thanks for the giveaway!
I had a terrifying home economics teacher, also! It was many years later and in spite of her that I took up sewing at adult night school and discovered that I LOVE sewing!!
Thank you for the wonderful tip on applying bias!!
I sew for children all the time and they would love a basket like this to carry their babies in!!
I also would love to win this pattern – Have 2 granddaughters that I could make them for.
I also would love to win this pattern – Have 2 granddaughters that I could make them for. I would probably make one purple and one pink
I would love to win this this pattern so that I can make it for my grandniece. She would LOVE it….
This would be perfect for my daughter and even great gifts for all of her friends birthdays this year. Hope we win
This is so adorable! I have some lovely vintage material in pink…so of course, I would use this! Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway!
Sweet blessings,
Laura
This is adorable. I love your binding tips.
I would make this in a purple with the bias being polka-dot purple. My granddaughter would really love this.
I would love this pattern. so cute. Purple would probably be my first choice as that is my daughter’s favorite color.
I would love to win this pattern. I have 3 granddaughters and just found out a new grandchild is on the way and maybe it will be a girl also. I would make this for each of the little girls and use different colors for each doll bed. Thanks for the great giveaway and tips for sewing the binding.
I have some great yellow fabric with forest animals that would make a great baby basket!
That’s so cute. Thanks for the opportunity to win the pattern.
The grand-girls would love a pink and purple doll basket – or maybe blue and white for Frozen. They are definitely still in their Princess phase! Thanks for a great give-away.
Oh this is so sweet. I love the fabric you used. My daughter would love one of those.
Sew sweet! Perfect size for the crochet teddy bears I like to make for shower gifts!
I would love to make one of these in polka dots for my granddaughter. I just ordered a doll for her first birthday in April.
I would make a pink one for a sweet little girl.
So cute! I would love to make these for my great nieces. They love girly colors, so cute prints would be perfect.
Thank you for sharing. I would love to win pattern so I can make 2 baskets.
I would love this pattern. Perfect for anticipated grandchildren (lol)! Also, I am so thankful for your tip about sewing bias bidding. So simple and obvious once you shared it. Thank you!
Who won? I have an eager girl in my lap, with sizes picked out for an upcoming birthday party. Party theme? Doll bonnets and dresses! This is so perfect. I have the pattern in my cart on Dana’s website, and remembered that I had entered this contest. Just checking!! 🙂
It is very cute, I have a Great Granddaughter that would love to use it for MO MO the duck or whats left of him.
Thank you
I adore this fabric!! Can you tell me where you got it? Or the designer? Thanks so much!
The fabric is by Riley Blake and is called Enchant. I would try Google or Etsy to see if there is any fabric still available. I purchased mine in Feb. 2014.
I agree with the way you have attached the bias binding. It gives a much neater and more professional finish.
I love this tutorial; I’ve always struggled with how to neatly end bias binding but I’ve never seen this technique before. I just purchased the pattern to make as a shower gift for a soon-to-arrive grandniece.
Thanks tons!!
Hi Lesley,
Thank you for your tutorial. I have just made my first one of these baskets and I followed your tutorial to attach the binding. I have found that my binding puckers when attaching it on the front, even when using the walking foot on my machine. I attached and liberally pinned my binding first. I have used quite a high loft batting, which is the only difference I can see between your photos as I wanted a good sturdy basket. Any tips that you have to deal with puckering would be very much appreciated before I attempt my next one! I’m sure your home ec teacher would not be impressed with my efforts!
Many thanks
Clare
Sometimes bias cuts will tend to pucker. What I like to do is use a little schoolhouse glue and my Wonder clips. Everything stays nicely in place when I do this.
Thank you Lesley I will try that. Once it starts to pucker it just seems to keep going!