The Blooming Along Basket pattern that I recently released was designed as a thread catcher basket. But today I’m sharing 8 great alternative ways to use the Blooming Along Basket, or any small felt basket.
The Blooming Along Basket
The Blooming Along Basket is a PDF pattern for a felt basket, decorated with embroidered and appliquéd felt flowers. It is designed as a thread catcher basket for use while crafting, but you need not feel limited by that idea, as I’ll show below.
You can find the basket pattern in the SHOP.
To read more about the felt embroidery materials required to make the basket, click HERE.
To read more about choosing a colour scheme for the Blooming Along Basket, click HERE.
Limitations of a Small Felt Basket
The Blooming Along Basket is made of felt, and either wool or wool-blend felt is recommended. The sides of the basket are made from two layers of felt and it supports itself. However, if you were to put something heavy in it like a pair of scissors, it would tip over or bend.
As well, I wouldn’t recommend washing the Blooming Along Basket, so I would avoid putting dirty items or things that will make marks inside the basket. (Though a dark coloured felt basket would help hide some of that).
Ways to Make the Blooming Along Basket More Stable
There are a couple of ways that you could make the Blooming Along Basket more stable if you wish to put heavier items inside it.
First, you can place a supporting container in the bottom of it. You could place in an empty and washed tin can, but that would be quite visible. An alternative is to place a shallow plastic container in the base. My mom discovered that the 250ml size of sour cream containers work well.
Not only does placing a container in the bottom add more stability to the small felt basket, but it protects the bottom from dirt and marks, such as from pencils. And depending on the contents of the basket, the low sides help the container to be less visible in the basket.
Another idea to make the basket more stable would be to fuse a layer of interfacing between the side layers of the felt to add structure. Note: I have not tried this myself to make sure it won’t make weird puckers as it curves in a cylindrical shape, but it could be something to try.
Uses for a Small Felt Basket
1. Thread Catcher
A thread catcher basket is one that sits near you while you stitch, sew, quilt, craft, (or even knit or crochet!). The basket can then collect all those little threads, trimmings and small scraps so they don’t end up on the floor. Or in your dog’s mouth 🙂
2. Hair Ties, Clips, Etc.
I think I would have loved a basket like this while I was growing up. I’m envisioning girls putting hair ties and clips, or even small toys in a basket on the top of their dresser.
3. Jewelry, Watches, Etc.
Another use for the Blooming Along Basket is to put some larger pieces of jewelry or watches inside. It wouldn’t work well for digging through a lot of small earrings to find matching pairs, but for larger pieces that won’t tangle it would.
4. Keys, Etc.
You could also keep the basket near the entry to drop your keys and other pocket contents into. I carry a small flashlight to walk Oliver now that it’s so dark at night, so that could go in there too.
5. Business Cards
Another idea is using the basket to corral business and loyalty cards that you collect from businesses you’ve visited and loved.
6. Pencil Holder
Alternatively, you could put the basket on your desk and use it to hold desk supplies like pencils, pens, etc. For this purpose, I do recommend putting a liner inside it (like a sour cream container) to help it stand up and protect the bottom from marks.
The first image in the post also shows the basket full of pencil crayons. I love to use a large set of pencil crayons for all sorts of craft and design work. They look pretty in a colourful basket.
7. Plant
Next, another idea could be to put a small potted plant inside the basket. Here I would absolutely use a liner like the sour cream liner to catch any drips and dirt. And definitely don’t pot the plant directly into the felt basket. You want to be able to lift it out.
I tend to get dirt everywhere when I’m watering and tending my plants. Therefore, I probably wouldn’t do this with my felt basket. But if you’re less messy than I am or don’t mind, go ahead!
8. Gift Basket
Another great idea is to the give the basket as a gift. Even better, fill it up with goodies! Below, I’ve shown the basket full of plastic Easter eggs which could have treats inside for Easter.
For Mother’s Day you could fill the basket with tea, candles, bath products, chocolate, or whatever else your Mom or Grandma like.
The same idea can work at Christmas or for a birthday. Simply fill the basket with something the recipient loves. Then when they’ve used the contents, the basket is a functional and decorative part of the gift that can be reused in any of the ways listed above!
Alternative Uses of the Blooming Along Basket or Other Small Felt Basket
Even if you’re not a big crafter, you can still use the Blooming Along Basket in a variety of ways around your home. Or you could make the small felt basket and gift it to a family member or friend to use.
I want to hear from you. Can you think of other uses that I’ve missed for the Blooming Along Basket or any other small felt basket? What would you use one for if you made one? Let me know in the comments below.
All the best,
Danielle