9. Striped Nautical Canvas Laundry Basket with Grommets

What This Idea Means

Tall, sturdy, and classic, this hamper-style basket features navy-and-white striped heavy duck canvas with large brass eyelets (grommets) and thick natural cotton rope handles. It offers ample storage for laundry, throw blankets, or sports gear.

What You Need

  • 1 yard heavy navy-and-white striped canvas
  • 1 yard solid canvas lining
  • 1 yard heavy peltex stabilizer
  • 4 large metal grommets/eyelets (1/2-inch or 3/4-inch diameter) with setting tool
  • 6 feet of 3/4-inch soft cotton rope
  • Heavy thread and hammer/mallet

How to Make It

  1. Cut exterior canvas, lining, and stabilizer into large cylinder body panels (36 inches wide by 24 inches high) and 12-inch diameter circular bases.
  2. Fuse peltex stabilizer to exterior canvas panels.
  3. Sew side seam of exterior canvas body to form tall cylinder; attach circular base to bottom edge.
  4. Assemble lining cylinder similarly, leaving a 6-inch opening along side seam.
  5. Pin exterior and lining top edges together right sides facing, stitch perimeter, and turn right-side out through opening. Press top edge firmly.
  6. Topstitch twice around top rim for structure.
  7. Mark four evenly spaced points 2 inches below top rim for rope handles. Install grommets using hole cutter and setting tool with a hammer.
  8. Thread cotton rope through grommets on each side, tying thick knots inside basket to secure handles.

Tips and Variations

  • Tip: Wrap ends of cotton rope with clear tape prior to threading through grommets to prevent fraying.
  • Variation: Add a drawstring cotton dust cover top extension to keep contents hidden.