DIY Hangable Hamper

By ModHomeEcTeacher

created on: 04/15/08

Oftentimes it's quite simple to improve on an old idea. This DIY Hangable Hamper took me two hours, tops, to design and complete. It can be constructed from remnant fabrics and old purse handles salvaged from the Goodwill or your mom's closet. My less-than-tidy husband is thinking of attaching a hook on the wall in the closet so he can test out his wife's jiffy design.

what you need:

sewing machine

1 yard remnant or new fabric

2 plastic purse handles

scissors

thread

something round to use as a curved pattern

what you do:

1. Fold one width of 1 yard of fabric in half, lengthwise.

created on: 04/15/08

2. Determine how wide you want your hamper to be and cut off excess fabric from the

open ends or "selvage" side of your fabric.

3. Place your handles at the centerpoint and mark the center with chalk.

4. Using a round shape, chalk two curves on either side of your handle to be cut out.

I used my trusty and versatile wooden spool for my curve pattern.

created on: 04/15/08

5. Use the same curve, just a smaller segment of it, and chalk lines on the bottom of your fabric to give it curve appeal. Cut the corners off.

created on: 04/15/08

6. On the top handle "tab" that is at the center, top of your hamper, chalk another curve and cut it out, giving the tab an inward curve reflecting the curve of the handle. (no picture of available)

7. Clip that curve to prepare it to be folded over 1/4" and stitched down.

created on: 04/15/08

7. Starting at bottom of hamper, right next to folded edge, stitch all the way around the bottm and up the side, backstitching to lock stitches in place.

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Cut curves of bottom of hamper.

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8. Set machine to zigzag stitch and zigzag along both long inward curves of the hamper. The zigzagging will allow you to simply turn the edge over and stitch without the fabric fraying. If you have the time, you can turn the fabric over once 1/4", press down, and turn it over again 1/4", press, pin and stitch. Otherwise, fold zigzagged edge over 1/2" and pin and stitch in place.

created on: 04/15/08

These curves are on the bias, so they stretch nicely and lay flat for stitching.

9. To prepare tab for folding and stitching over handle, using your hands, fold a pleat in the center of the tab, pin in place and stitch down.

created on: 04/15/08

10. Now wrap tab through handle with tab coming over handle approximately 2". Pin in place and stitch across tab securing it to hamper. Repeat for the other handle.

created on: 04/15/08

Turn your Hangable Hamper right side out, hang on your doorknob or hook, dump your dirty duds and look stylish carrying your hamper to the laundry.

created on: 04/15/08

Tagged:
fabric remnant recycled wooden spool hamper diy hangable doorknob jiffy handles modhomeecteacher sewing designing

April 15, 2008

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ModHomeEcTeacher

May 03, 2008

Thanks for the comment. It's holds alot. More like a med-large load. It's deep and opens up wide. You can make it up to 27" wide if you use upholstery fabric and fold in half. Larger if you want to use two lengths of wider fabric.

jrsjewels

May 03, 2008

This is a fabulous look and the size looks perfect for a small load! Thanks!

ModHomeEcTeacher

April 16, 2008

I knew it would help someone, somehow. I hate so many things on the floor, even clothes baskets.

sarahlou

April 16, 2008

this is soooooo perfect. we just got a dog last month and this will help keep things out of his reach 'til they're laundered and no longer of interest to him. heh.

ModHomeEcTeacher

April 16, 2008

Now you and my husband must be thinking alike. I used this old fabric I had on a rack in the garage. It had some weird little white dots (probably some mold or something). I didn't want to use up a yard of some of my really good stuff, plus it's a remnant which means green, which means good, right?

DIY Maven

April 16, 2008

Why doesn't someone mass-produce laundry bags like these?? It's such a pretty and functional design!!

ModHomeEcTeacher

April 15, 2008

This fabric was some remnant fabric I had from some slipcovers years ago. Handles are sold at Joann for sure and probably some similar at Michaels. I got these online from some import company, but I know Joann has some cool round brown tortoise shell handles. You were the inspiration.