Quilted Teddy Bear Baby Basket (Fabric Gift Caddy)
This project is a quilted fabric baby basket with braided handles and two stuffed teddy bears attached to the front. It works beautifully as a baby shower gift basket, nursery organizer, or diaper caddy.
The measurements below are estimated from the photo and can be adjusted.
Finished Size
- Width: 35 cm (14″)
- Depth: 22 cm (8½”)
- Height: 20 cm (8″)
- Handle height above basket: 18 cm (7″)
Materials
Fabrics
Outer Basket
- Pink polka dot cotton: 50 cm (½ yard)
Lining
- Pink floral cotton: 50 cm (½ yard)
Teddy Bears
- Pink gingham cotton: 25 cm (¼ yard)
- White floral cotton: 25 cm (¼ yard)
Handles
- Assorted pink fabrics
Stabilizers
For a sturdy basket:
- Heavy fusible fleece
- Decovil Light, Peltex, or heavy bag stabilizer
- Polyester batting
Teddy Bear Details
- Brown felt
- Black safety eyes or black beads
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
Decorative Items
- Satin ribbon for bows
- Matching thread
Cutting Instructions
Basket Exterior
Cut:
- 1 rectangle
- 90 cm × 25 cm
- (35½” × 10″)
This forms the basket walls.
Base
Cut:
- 1 rectangle
- 35 cm × 22 cm
- (14″ × 8½”)
Basket Lining
Cut:
- 1 rectangle
- 90 cm × 25 cm
Base:
- 1 rectangle
- 35 cm × 22 cm
Stabilizer
Cut identical pieces:
- Side wall panel
- Bottom panel
Fuse according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Making the Basket Body
Step 1: Prepare Outer Panel
Fuse fleece and stabilizer to the wrong side of:
- Exterior wall panel
- Exterior base panel
Quilt if desired.
A simple diamond quilting pattern works beautifully.
Step 2: Form the Side Ring
Fold the long wall panel right sides together.
Sew the short ends together with a 1 cm (â…œ”) seam allowance.
You now have a fabric tube.
Press seam open.
Step 3: Attach the Base
Mark:
- Center front
- Center back
- Center sides
On both:
- Side ring
- Base piece
Pin carefully.
Ease the side panel around the base.
Sew slowly.
Clip curves if necessary.
Press.
The exterior basket is complete.
Making the Lining
Repeat exactly the same process.
Leave a 10 cm (4″) opening in the bottom seam for turning later.
Set aside.
Braided Handles
The handles are made from soft fabric tubes.
Cut Handle Strips
Cut 6 strips:
- 60 cm × 8 cm
- (24″ × 3″)
Two strips of each fabric create the braided look.
Sew Tubes
Fold each strip lengthwise.
Sew long edge.
Turn right side out.
Lightly stuff with batting or fleece strips.
Close ends.
Create Braid
Group three tubes together.
Braid tightly.
Repeat for second handle.
Finish Handle Ends
Wrap ends with fabric strips.
Hand stitch securely.
Press gently.
Attaching Handles
Place handles:
- Approximately 8 cm (3″) from each side seam.
The ends should extend about:
- 5 cm (2″) inside the basket.
Stitch securely.
For durability:
- Sew a square with an X inside.
Repeat for second handle.
Teddy Bear Pattern
The bears are simple stuffed appliqué shapes.
Finished size:
- Approximately 15 cm (6″) tall.
Bear Template
Draw:
Head
Circle:
- 8 cm (3¼”)
Ears
Two circles:
- 3 cm (1¼”)
Body
Rounded pear shape:
- 12 cm tall
- 10 cm wide
Combine head and body into one continuous silhouette.
Cutting Bears
For each bear:
Cut:
- 2 mirror-image bear shapes
One bear:
- Pink gingham
One bear:
- White floral
Sewing Bears
Place pieces right sides together.
Sew around edge.
Leave a 4 cm opening.
Clip curves.
Turn right side out.
Stuff firmly.
Close opening by hand.
Bear Muzzle
Cut from brown felt:
Oval:
- 4 cm × 5 cm
Hand stitch onto face.
Nose and Mouth
Use embroidery floss.
Stitch:
- Triangle nose
- Straight vertical line
Attach:
- Safety eyes
or - Black beads
Satin Bows
Cut ribbon:
- 18 cm (7″)
Tie bow.
Hand stitch below head.
Repeat for both bears.
Positioning Bears
Before joining lining and exterior:
Place bears on front panel.
Position:
- Side by side
- Centered
The bottom of each bear should rest on the basket edge.
Hand baste in place.
Joining Basket and Lining
Place:
- Exterior basket right side out
- Lining wrong side out
Insert exterior into lining.
Right sides together.
Align top edges.
Insert handle ends between layers.
Pin.
Sew all around top edge.
Turning
Pull basket through opening left in lining.
Close lining opening with ladder stitch.
Push lining inside basket.
Topstitching
Topstitch around entire upper edge:
- 3 mm (â…›”) from edge
This gives structure and professional finish.
Final Shaping
Steam lightly.
Shape corners.
Adjust handles.
Fluff teddy bears.
Optional Enhancements
To make it even closer to the photo:
- Use three different pink prints in the braid.
- Quilt the basket exterior with hearts or diamonds.
- Add lace around the top edge.
- Personalize with baby’s name embroidered on the front.
- Insert a removable plastic canvas panel between layers for extra rigidity.
The basket shown in the photo appears to use heavy interfacing combined with quilt batting, which is why it stands upright while still looking soft and plush.
