Sunny Bucket!
I love fabric buckets! They are super easy to make and very functional!
So here is my tutorial for our Sunny Bucket! Keep in mind that you can easily make these smaller or larger.
You will need:
(2 each) 10″ wide x 8.5″ long – exterior fabric ( I used double gauze, above, which is fine because you will be stabilizing it)
(2 each) 10″ wide x 8.5″ long – lining fabric and fusible fleece
(2 each) lengths of 1.5″ wide cotton webbing (7″ long each) **optional**
Remember…you can change the size by cutting your pieces larger or smaller.
Follow manufacturers instructions and press the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the exterior fabric.
Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, place right sides of the exterior facing and stitch both sides and bottom. Leave the top of the exterior open. Repeat with the lining, except leave a 3″ opening in the bottom of the lining for turning right side out.
Now you are ready to make a gusset. The gusset is what gives the bucket shape.
Take the exterior pieces and fold it so the side seam matches the bottom seam. The two, right sides, of the seams should be touching. Finger press this flat and draw a line from one side to the other 2″ down from the point.
This drawn line is your stitch line. Stitch on the line. Cut the excess fabric above the line, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Repeat with the lining fabric.
If you are making a bucket with handles, follow the next step. If not you may skip this step.
For the chunky handles, turn the exterior right side out. Place a mark one inch from both sides of the side seam.
Place one side of the handle at a time on the mark. the inside edge of the handle should touch the mark. In other words, you should have an inch of space between the edge of the handle and the side seam. Baste the handle in place. Repeat on the other side of the seam. Baste in place. Then repeat for the opposite side of the bucket exterior.
Okay….now it’s time to finish the bucket….handle or no handle!
At this point the exterior should be turned right side out. The lining will be wrong side out. Place the exterior inside the lining and match the side seams. Pin all around. If you have handles, make sure the handles are sandwiched in between the lining and the exterior.
If your bag has handles, stitch all the way around the top with 1/2 inch seam allowance. If your bag does not have handles, stitch all around the top with 1/4 inch seam allowance. Be sure to keep all of the layers together and the raw edges matching as you stitch.
Turn the bag right side out through the hole in the lining. Push out all the corners. Give your bucket a nice press. Top stitch around the top and stitch up the hole in the lining.
If your bag does not have handles, fold the top down and give a nice press.
Remember you can change the size so easily by making all of your pieces smaller or larger. If you make your bucket larger, you may want to increase the size of the gusset. Another option would be to make a panel of fabric from hexies, patchwork or clamshells….use your panel for the bucket exterior!
Also, don’t be afraid to use different substrates. I used a double gauze for the kitty Sunny Bucket and I used a Japanese flannel for the stars and planets Sunny Bucket!!! It all works because the stabilizer (fusible fleece) helps to ‘stabilize’ any fabric!!! yayyyy!
Have fun! And be sure to tag us if you make a Sunny Bucket!
@sunnydaysupply #sunnybucket