Fabric Storage Bin for Baby Gift

I’ve learned so much by reading others' online tutorials I thought it was time to try my hand at one.  This is my first attempt at a tutorial so… please be kind!  

You will need:

2 fat quarters of your choice, one for the outside and one for the lining

1 “fat quarter” of batting

2  strips of heavy-weight Pellon, 2"x20" (opt)*

Trim the FQs to 16"x20"  (do not discard strips cut off the FQs; these will be used for the handles.)

Trim batting to 16”x19.5”

Center batting on outer fabric and smooth.

Fold one 20" side to the other 20" side, right sides together and pin (optional) on the shorter sides.

Stitch ¼” inch seams; repeat with lining fabric.

 

Mark a 2.5 inch square on each corner of the fold, and cut out; repeat on lining.

 

* I used a 2-inch strip of heavy-weight Pellon on the top edge of the lining fabric to give me a firm, sharp lining edge.  This is optional but I’ve made these bins w/o the Pellon and I don’t like the lining edge quite as well.

Now comes the difficult-to-explain-in-words part.  Open the cut-out square and bring edges together; pin.  Repeat on other end of outer fabric w/ batting.  Repeat with lining.

  

 Bottoms together, match the openings of the outer fabric/batting to the lining and pin together.

Sew the outer fabric/batting to the lining to close the cut opening; repeat with other opening.  (“Why?” you ask? Because this will attach the lining to the outer fabric and the lining won’t be all loose and bunchy on the inside.)

 Turn the outer fabric/batting to the outside and your lining will be in the inside.

Fold the lining fabric over ¼” and pin.  Fold the outer fabric over the batting and pin.  Pin lining to outer fabric/batting.  I like to pin the lining just a tad below the edge of the outer fabric/batting… I think it gives a more finished edge but again… completely up to you.

 Using the left over strips, make two “handles.”  I used a strip of batting to give a little body to the handles but make the handles however you choose.  Mine were about 10” long and 1.5” wide with the two fabrics.

Pin the handles to the ends of the bin between the outer fabric/batting and the lining.  I pinned the ends about a thumb’s width on each side of the end seam.

Once you have everything squared away, sew the lining to the outer fabric/batting.   

Press the top edge to give give the bin a clean professional look.  The finished bin is approximately 9” long x 6” wide x 7” high without the handles.

I like to fill the bin with diapers, a traveling case of baby wipes, and a tube of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. (I include the half-package of diapers that don't fit in the gift bag.)  You could fill it with whatever you'd like, of course.  The bin is machine washable and dry-able and you can make the bin w/o handles and any size you'd like for other purposes.  

You could piece fabric strips to make fat quarter-sized fabric, add rickrack or other trim, embroider initials or a name on the outside...  you're only limited by your imagination!