Jute Storage Baskets, or How to Save 200 UAH in Half an Hour

Step 1

Ladies, we're renovating, and in the process we have to think through everything—from furniture to the tiniest details. In particular, compact storage for small items—laundry, cosmetics, keys, etc.—matters too. I decided to follow the advice of experienced homemakers and use organizers. A trip to the stores made me furious! Plastic baskets that are even remotely decent cost from 70 UAH, while pretty woven ones cost 200 and up! I had three balls of jute in my stash, so why not use them? Here's what came of it. 😉

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Step 3

So, to make the basket, I needed jute (I had thin single-strand jute), a hot glue gun and glue sticks, super glue, scissors, cardboard, and canvas (any other sturdy natural fabric will work too).

Divide all the jute into 3 balls, with 8 strands in each ball: unwind the thread, divide it into 8 parts, tie the end, and use them.

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Step 6

Braid the three eight-strand “ropes” into a regular tight braid and tie off the end. Then coil this braid into a spiral, gluing each turn. Once the diameter is the right size, coil the braid upward to the desired height, continuing to glue it. If you plan to wash the basket, it’s better to sew it with a wide zigzag stitch right away!

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Step 9

Next, make handles if needed: wrap two rings of sturdy cardboard or plastic with jute, gluing it with super glue. You can sew the handles on with jute if you plan to wash the basket, or attach them with hot glue.

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Step 12

Then take the fabric, fold over the edge, and glue it to the sides of the basket. For the bottom, cut a circle from cardboard, cover it with the same fabric, and place it inside.

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Step 16

You can use scraps of lace, burlap, or canvas, beads, dried flowers, buttons—anything that fits the theme—to decorate the basket.

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Step 18

Attach them with hot glue or sew them on, depending on how you plan to use the basket. 🙂