Heaven forfend, I found my stash of small gifts on hand was depleted. This is not a good position to be in at this time of year. Luckily, I subscribe to Christine Cameli’s blog, where she gave me the perfect quick (and small) gift to make. She calls it a bucket though I think you could call it a basket.
Since Christine teaches free motion quilting she has scads of fat quarter size quilting samples that are perfect for her project. I have a few practice squares, but I also have upholstery samples. After a scrounge through my large scraps I matched up bucket exteriors and liners and went to work.
A video in Christine’s post shows how she makes her buckets. The post also has a link to her free pattern on Craftsy. If you know the size bucket you want, just watch the video. Christine’s pattern makes a bucket about 4.5 inches wide and tall. I think it’s a good size for gifting with some candy or sewing notions tucked inside, but if you want something larger adjust the size accordingly.
As you can see, I used the same fabric for the liners and cuffs, but a contrasting cuff would definitely be fun. The bucket and liner are made from 8.5 by 6.5 inch fabric pieces (2 each of both exterior and lining), and the cuff is 4.5 by 16.5 inches.
After you sew the exterior pieces (then the linings) together around 3 sides, you cut out a 2 inch square of fabric at each bottom corner. Then you match the seams and sew the cut edges together. I don’t know if that’s clear, so just watch the video.
The short ends of the cuff are sewn together and the cuff is pressed in half long ways, right side out. You nestle the lining inside the exterior (wrong sides against each other), then pin the cuff inside everything, raw edges together. Once you sew around all the layers you can turn over the cuff and admire your bucket.
I think you could also use pre-quilted fabric for the exteriors. I thought of using some fancy silk scraps but stopped when I saw I’d have to interface the silk. I was in production mode, which meant done was better than fancy.
The Snarky Quilter 
Your buckets are great and a neat project for gifting most any occasion. Thanks for sharing Christine’s blog post.
True, the buckets work for birthdays and any other occasion where a little extra is nice.
I like these a lot and I’m thinking I could make them with handwoven fabric for, maybe, the cuff . . . or something. I’ll have to give this a ponder but thanks for the link!
You’re welcome. I’d be interested to see how you’d incorporate handwoven fabrics.
I remember seeing these on Christina’s blog. Thanks for the reminder! My small-gift stash is getting low. They are a good design, and it’s all the better that they are so very “customizable” in all dimensions. As a side note, it’s always fun to recognize a fabric in project photos (do I see “asphalt” lining the white bucket?).
And they’re fairly quick to make. I have learned to avoid all so called quick crafts that involve zippers. Yes, that is asphalt fabric.
Those do look useful, and like good gifts. (I can give you my address…) Yesterday I made a throw pillow for my son, using a flannel shirt his grandparents gave him when he was 5 or 6. The flannel was not as nice as I remembered, and since the shirt was small, I did need to piece it in a place. But it was quick and easy and finally used that little shirt just how I’d imagined for many years. I left the button placket on as the pillowcase closure, and left the pocket on too, of course. I also made 2 bed pillowcases for youngest grandsons, and have all but the binding done on a checkerboard for the other grandsons (to share, with the chess and checkers pieces purchased.) Also this morning I’ve been editing 3 photos to have printed for daughters. I can get them done at Costco, and mount them in frames we already have. Feeling quite efficient right now, but no doubt that good feeling will fall apart… 🙂
Sounds like you have the personal touch going strong this season. Good idea to use the shirt placket as the pillow closure. The pocket would be handy if your son was still leaving teeth for the tooth fairy. I too went the photo route with books made up for some adventures.