This DIY Bike Basket Liner is a summer must! I really love riding my bike. And this summer I am trying my best to sneak in extra family time (and exercise) with family bike rides. But sometimes my phone doesn’t stay in my back pocket easily. Or I have my garage door opener or water or a book I have to carry. And I’ve thrown things in my basket, but they just don’t seem that secure, rolling around while I’m riding my bike. That’s when I knew I needed a basket liner. But I wanted something pretty. Because honestly my bike is so pretty! Santa brought us Matching Scurvy bikes when Gandalf was a baby. Gandalf got a new trailer, which fit two kids, almost as if Santa knew he would get a baby brother someday.
And I love how it turned out! It’s pretty and feminine and matches my pink and black Paul Frank Scurvy bike. And Joann’s was having a great deal so it didn’t cost very much. Technically it’s reversible, but I added a pocket to make it more functional. I can easily slip in my phone and my garage door opener. I also have room for a couple of books and a snack. Perfect for riding over to the park. I recently finished Angel Falls and really enjoyed it. After reading Kristin Hannah’s Nightingale (favorite read last year!) I couldn’t pass up another of her books when I saw it at the Goodwill. And I also have room for my HydroFlask (FAVORITE water bottle ever!) and I love that I can keep my phone separate with the pocket. I really need to invest in a new lid. After 3 years and being dropped countless time by my children it can open slightly.
And can we just stop and sigh over the perfect combination of prints! {sigh!} And it only took a couple of hours.
Okay, on to the tutorial.
DIY Bike Basket Liner Tutorial
Items needed:
- 3/4 yards of each material or a 1 1/2 of the same material
- sewing machine
- rotary cutter
- mat
- scissors
- iron
- thread
The first thing you need to do is measure the bottom of your basket. I like to draw a diagram to keep track of my numbers. And it helps my visual mind. The bottom of my basket was 9.5″ x 12.5″. Go ahead and cut this part out and just double check.
You are going to be sewing a box and you need to find out the sides of your box. Measure the both sides and figure out how much you want your material to fold over. I added about 3 inches to where my ruler ended. Another important part is you want to observe if your basket is a box, with straight sides doing up, or if it’s more of a trapezoid and the basket gets larger as it goes out. Don’t forget to add 1/2 inch to each side to account for your seams. And with this project it doesn’t hurt to round up, because a baggier basket is better than a basket you have to squeeze on.
Straight Basket
Cut a pocket by cutting the length of your ‘top’ side. You can make the pocket as tall as you would like. I made my height about 8 inches, and then folded it with wrong sides together and pressed it with the iron. When you start sewing the sides together place your pocket on top of the ‘top’ on the right side. The edges will align with the bottom of your top pieces.
Cut four sides using your rotary system. It makes measuring and cutting so much easier! Use the length and height of your rectangle to figure out your measurements. You want to start sewing the sides together, and don’t forget your pocket piece. After all 4 sides are attached you want to add your bottom. Start about a quarter of an inch away from the bottom perimeter. Sew the bottom to one side, remembering to start a quarter of an inch away from the bottom. Before you get to the end, stop a quarter of an inch. Backstitch.
Then connect the next side together starting a quarter of an inch away. This will help you attach the bottom without having holes. The quarter of an inch will help you attach all four sides easier. Repeat with the rest of the sides.
Try it on your bike. Repeat with your other material, except for the pocket part. Try that one on too.
Next you want to pin and two liners together, with right sides together. I did it while it was on my bike. Sew them together, leaving about 4 inches to turn right side out. Press. And sew the gap closed. I left my gap on the side but not right where a corner was. Place it on your bike and admire your handy work.
Trapezoid Basket
For this kind of basket we are pretty much doing the same thing as above. Only you need to measure each side of the basket around the top. The bottom of my basket was 12.5″ and it went out to 15.5″. I cut my pieces 17″ wide and then the length happen to also be 12.5″. I kept the two side cut as square pieces. Once you figured out your measurements and and cut and pressed your pocket you are ready to assemble them. (Read above for how to cut your pocket)
I attached the two side to the bottom of my basket, right sides together. Attach your ‘top’ and ‘front’ pieces to the bottom piece of material. To connect the sides to the ‘top’ and ‘front’ piece you want to sew a diagonal line. Start at bottom, and sew a diagonal line out to the edge. Repeat with the other 3 corners. This should create a trapezoid. Try it on your basket.
Repeat this with your other material. Sew them together, with right sides together. I pinned them together around the perimeter of the basket. Make sure to leave about 4 inches so you can pull your basket liner through. Press. And then stitch it closed. Admire your handiwork. And maybe text a picture to a crafty friend, who will be equally excited for you. (Don’t you love encouraging friends?)
I am so excited for my new basket liner for my bike! It looks so pretty and it’s so functional! I am ready for summer, and fall since that weather is much friendlier to bike riding around here in Arizona. The evenings are still a great time for riding. Which is why I love my Bell Bike Light. My hubby got it for me to keep me safe and it’s super handy. Other favorite bike accessories are my bell (I love my bike!) and I have my eye on this Bike Speedometer. Sometimes it’s nice to know how far you have been riding. And the price makes that a win-win. Do you have a favorite bike accessory? Please tell me about it in the comments below!
I really hope this helps you keep track of your things while riding around. This DIY Bike Basket Liner Tutorial is seriously easy to put together, even with the math involved. Or if you can pick one up here. No one will ever know. I would love it if you can give this a pin. And check out more of my Summer Favorites or 5 Easy Ways to Connect with Your Family.
Check out these posts below…
5 Fun Family Ideas to Stay Connected
Some of these items are affiliated links. You are welcomed to buy from anywhere. But I don’t mind if you buy them from here. I only share items I really like or use. Thanks for your support!
