Rope Baskets

Rope Baskets have been around for decades, they can be found in just about every room in my home.

I learned how to make rope baskets by taking a class about 20 years ago at a local quilt shop when we lived in South Dakota. There are books on rope baskets that one can buy and online tutorials one can watch. It’s addictive and the more you make them the better you’ll get at creating different kinds of baskets.

Rope baskets are gaining in popularity and you can see them being sold at craft shows across America. I’ve purchased my cotton rope at a local hardware store, big box stores sell it too but I made the decision to shop local and support the small business owner.

Look for cotton rope, make sure there’s no plastic inside or it could cause your needle to break or worse, jam up machine. As far as sewing machine requirements- one that does a basic zigzag stitch is perfect. I use a denim needle and 40 wt cotton thread, it’s heavier than the 50 wt thread I use for quilt making and it will make for a stonger seam for your rope basket. Go slow! You’re not in a race so take your time. Pay attention to what you’re doing! The goal is to catch the rope on both sides so they’re sewed together.

I use cotton thread and cotton rope making the final basket possible to be dyed. I’ve also made a wide assortment of fabric wrapped baskets, these require patience and can be messy to make but the end result gives you a one of a kind beautiful piece. The basket you see here is one where I used the trimmed edges from squaring up a quilting project. I wrapped little bits of fabric here and there as I sewed round and round - it’ll make you feel much like a potter with clay at a potting wheel at times.

I’ve made rope coasters, I’ve embroidered inside of them with my embroidery machine, made rope baskets in several different shapes and have made lids for some too. There’s a lot you can do with a hank of cotton rope.

These baskets are washable, I recommend handwashing them in cold water and to line dry them.