I’ve made a few paper Easter baskets in the past, but I hadn’t tried this fun-looking design. I called this the Woven-Look Easter Basket in Cinnamon Cider to differentiate the kind of basic ones like I made recently in this post. I don’t know what design it would really be called! It is made by cutting strips on parts of the paper and then adhering them one by one, side by side to the front and back of the basket. Somehow it turns out like this! Who thinks of all these ideas?!
I have a lot of photos to hopefully show you how to make one of these baskets!
Start with a piece of cardstock cut at 7″ x 6 1/2″. You will also need a basket handle later cut at 3/4″ x 6″ or whatever size you like. If you want to cover it with designer paper, cut it just slightly narrower and just as long. You can also add designer paper to the sides of the basket if you like, or even each strip that we will make. Or just keep it plain and simple!
With the 7″ side at the top of the Simply Scored Scoring Tool or the Paper Trimmer, score each of the four sides at 2″. (See the red lines.) Then with the 7″ side at the top, on the two outer squares, score from the top only down to the horizontal score line. (Green lines.) Score at 5/8″, 1 1/4″, 5 3/4″, and 6 3/8″. Then turn the paper with the other 7″ side at the top and do the same thing.
In preparation for assembly, add pieces of Tear & Tape to each end of those scored strips as you see in the diagram. You could use Multipurpose Liquid Glue but you would have to hold each strip in place for a moment, so Tear & Tape is really easier. You “could” apply the tape across all three strips at once because you are going to cut them apart next anyway.
Next, use scissors to cut on the scored (green) lines just up to the horizontal score line. Also, cut the red line, just up to the red score line, so that you have three “fringe-like” pieces on each side (all four corners).
In that middle section, top and bottom, you see a dotted line. That is where you will fold over just about 1/4″ to the inside of the basket. Score it first if you like. Adhere well. Tear & Tape works best if you make it as wide as the tape. The Liquid Glue you have to hold a few moments. (That squiggle over on the right is a boo-boo! Ignore it!)
Now you will assemble the basket by removing the Tear & Tape one strip at a time. Pull the inside strip over toward the center of that center section, adhering it about 1/4″ below the top edge. Next do the strip on the left side, also 1/4″ below the top edge.
Next, go to the next (middle) strip on the right, remove the tape and pull it over adhering it right about at the top edge of that middle section. Do the same with the one on the left.
Now you are on the last strip. Pull that over so that it is fairly level and straight with the top of that middle section. Now do the last one on the left, also making it straight with the top. That’s it! As you take a look at the basket, you will see that curve that developed! Don’t worry if everything isn’t lined up perfectly because you are likely to be covering this side (and maybe the back section, too) with a decoration. Do all the same steps on the other side of the basket.
Try to stick the end of the handle down in between the layers of the basket if you can or just adhere wherever you like. Add whatever decoration you want, whether a greeting or some layered circles, punches, rectangles, whatever. Tie on a ribbon if you like. Decorate both sides or just one. Add some small pieces of designer paper on the basket sides if you want. I stamped the little bunny in the Friends of the Forest Stamp Set and layered it on a piece of the Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper on top of Mint Macaron cardstock.
Here is the back side. I almost stamped a “Happy Easter” greeting for the back but I didn’t. I thought just decorating the front was fine!
If you want to decorate the sides of the basket with designer paper, just cut two pieces 2 1/4″ x 1 3/4″. Make sure you have any design going in the correct direction if there is a pattern. This Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper is on the Last-Chance List of retiring products so if you need more, be sure to get it while it is available! And the Cinnamon Cider cardstock is also retiring as it is one of the outgoing In Colors!
Make a few Easter baskets either for your own decoration around the house or as a decoration at each place setting at your Easter dinner table!