Hello all! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted but I’ve been working on Easter projects this weekend and can’t wait to share them with you on the blog this week. The first is an adorable little Easter basket made out of paper (isn’t it just so cute?) A good friend of mine bought me this book as a gift a few months ago:
It’s an awesome craft reference book filled with cards and other paper projects for various holidays and occasions. One of the projects I had bookmarked is this Easter basket:
I started making the basket following their instructions, but ended up veering off from the step-by-step instructions and finding my own method for making the basket. Today I’m going to share with you my first step-by-step photo project tutorial on the blog (hooray!) Hopefully it makes sense and let me know if you have any questions!
Mini Woven Paper Easter Basket Tutorial
Supplies:
One (1) sheet of 12×12 in. cardstock cut into strips (you will have some left over):
Eight (8) strips that measure 7 in. x 5/8 in., scored at 2 in. and 5 in.
Three (3) strips that measure 11 1/2 in. x 5/8 in., scored at 2 3/4 in., 5 1/2 in., 8 1/4 in.
One (1) strip that measures 11 1/2 in. x 5/8 in., not scored at all
Permanent adhesive tape runner
Small glue dots
Colored tissue paper
Chocolate eggs
Instructions:
1. Gather the eight 7 in. strips of cardstock first. These will be the base and form the walls of your basket. Lay down four strips side by side, then take another strip and “weave” it over and under the other strips right below the score line. Use a little bit of tape runner adhesive to secure the piece as necessary. Repeat for a second strip, alternating the weaves:
2. Continue the same for the last two strips, then bend at the score line to form the walls. When you are finished, it should look like this:
3. Now you are ready to start weaving the walls. Take a scored 11 1/2 in. strip and weave it over and under one side of the wall, pressing it towards the base and adding adhesive using the tape runner along the way to secure it:
4. Fold at the score line and weave the second wall:
5. Then weave the third wall…
6. Then the last wall. Your first row is complete, and you can start to see your basket taking shape:
7. Repeat the process for a second row, alternating the under/over weaves. I found that I did need to use any adhesive on this row, because it is kept in place by the row beneath it. Here’s what it looks like once you finish the second row:
8. Now you are ready for the last row. Weave the last scored strip, repeating the same weave pattern as the first row. On this row, you will need to use adhesive. It can get tricky to use the flat tape runner on the 3-D box, so that’s where the glue dots come in handy. When you are finished this row, your basket should look like this:
9. Now all you need to do is add the handle and your basket is complete. Take the only strip you have left, the unscored 11 1/2 in. piece, dab a bit of glue on both ends, and secure to the sides of the basket:
10. Just add some colored tissue paper and chocolate eggs, and your Easter basket is ready!
I just love this little basket, not only for Easter but for any spring party. They’re perfect to leave at a place setting or as a surprise gift.
Please let me know if you try my tutorial by leaving a comment. (Also, I appreciate a link back to my site if you post about it on your blog.) Feel free to ask any questions and I’d love to see how your basket comes out!
