Make a Toy Basket using ANY Quilt Block using this Step-by-Step Tutorial

Got kids? Then you know the struggle of keeping all those toys from taking over your living room. It's a constant battle in our house and with the release of the Basket O'Fun block - designed for the 2025 Nursery Sampler - I figured why not make an actual toy basket out of these toy basket blocks?

Use the Basket O'Fun Block for your toy basket. The Celestial Version features stars and moon designs on the balls in the basket.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to turn any quilt block into a cute and super handy toy

basket. Whether you have a random block lying around or want to whip up the Basket O’Fun Block, this step-by-step guide will help you create a one-of-a-kind storage solution that brings a splash of creativity to your space.

The instructions throughout this tutorial are based on a 16.5 inch unfinished quilt block to make a jumbo-sized toy basket to fit allll the things but I've provided calculations to modify the measurements in the tutorial to work for any quilt block size.

Have a sports fan in need of organization? Use the Sports Version of the Basket O' Fun Block

Want to make this exact toy basket?

Download the Basket O'Fun block here:

Get the Basket O'Fun Block

So, let’s jump right in and get started!

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Materials Needed:

*Quantities calculated based on using a 16.5 inch quilt block. See the note below if you are using a different size quilt block.

• (2) 16. 5 inch quilt blocks*

  *can substitute one or both with just a 16.5 inch square of fabric

• (1) 16.5 inch x 46.5 inch piece of matching background fabric

• (2) 16 inch squares of lining fabric

• (1) 16 inch x 46 inch rectangle of lining fabric

• 2.25  yards of foam stabilizer such as ByAnnie Soft ‘n Stable or Pellon Flex Foam (at least 17 inches wide)

• 2.25 yards of lightweight fusible interfacing such as Heat ‘n Bond

• (Optional) 23 inches of 1.5 inch wide webbing

• Thread

• Scissors or Rotary Blade

• Pins or Wonder Clips

• Iron

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Note: The above dimensions and instructions throughout are based on using a 16.5 inch block.  If you want to use a different sized block, for your lining and stabilizer dimensions you can use the following formula. An example of the formula for a 6.5 inch quilt block is shown in bold.

Main/Outside fabric*:

• (2) (Quilt block size)     

  • Example: (2) 6 ½ inch blocks or squares of fabric

• (1)(Quilt Block Size) x [(Quilt block size x 3) - 2 inches] Rectangle 

  • Example: (1)  6 ½ inch x 17 ½ inch rectangle [(6 ½ x 3) - 2]=17 ½

    
    

Foam Stabilizer*:

• (2) (Quilt block size)

  • Example: (2) 6 ½ inch squares 

• (1) (Quilt Block Size) x [(Quilt block size x 3) - 2 inches] Rectangle

  • Example: (1) 6 ½ inch x 17 ½ inch rectangle

*Note: Once the main fabric and foam stabilizer pieces are quilted together they should be trimmed down 1/2 inch from the original dimension. For this example that would yield: (2) 6 inch quilted blocks and (1) 17 inch x 6 inch quilted rectangle.

Lining fabric:

• (2) (Quilt block size - ½  inch)

  • Example: (2) 6 inch squares

• (1) (Quilt Block Size - ½ inch) x [(Quilt block size-½ inch) x 3] - 2 inches rectangle

  • Example: (1) 6 inch x 16 inch rectangle

Lightweight Fusible Interfacing:

• (2) (Quilt block size - 1 ½ inch)

  • Example: (2) 5 inch squares

• (1) (Quilt Block Size - ½ inch) x [(Quilt block size- 1 ½ inch) x 3] rectangle

  • Example: (1) 5 inch x 15 inch rectangle

    
    

Webbing (Optional):

If adding webbing for handles, adjust the webbing length as desired based on your quilt block size.

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Before Starting the Quilted Toy Basket Tutorial

All seam allowances are ½ inch unless otherwise noted.

RST= Right Sides Together

WST= Wrong Sides Together

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Preparation

Main/Outer Fabric Quilting

Before assembly, quilt the (2) 16.5 inch blocks and (1) 16.5 inch x 46.5 inch main fabric together with the foam stabilizer as desired.

Due to the quilting, there will  be some shrinkage. Once the blocks and main fabric are quilted to the foam stabilizer, trim to (2) 16 inch blocks and (1) 16 inch x 46 inch rectangle.

Lining Interfacing

Per the manufacturer’s instructions, apply the lightweight fusible interfacing centered on each lining piece as shown in the diagram below.  Once applied, there should be a ½ inch allowance all the way around each lining piece without interfacing.

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Main/Outer Assembly

1. Sew a line 15.5 inches from each end of the 16inch x 46 inch rectangle. These sewn lines will “score” the main fabric to allow it to sit more upright when assembled.

2. Cut the webbing in half to make (2) 11.5 inch pieces. Place RST each end of (1) 11.5 inch piece of webbing 7 inches from the edge on the 16 inch side of the 16 inch x 46 inch rectangle. Sew the webbing in place using a ¼ inch seam making sure to backstitch at each end. Sew over the webbing 2-3 times to secure.

   
   

   *Note: if your block is a different size, place the webbing [(block size/2)-1 inch] from each edge as space allows).

3. Fold the 16 inch x 46 inch rectangle in half lengthwise, and fold both 16 inch blocks in half to find the center of each.  Align, RST, the center mark of one 16 in block with the center mark of one side of the 16 inch x 46 inch rectangle and sew together. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam.

   
   
   

   
   
   

4. Repeat step 3 for the other 16 inch block and the opposite side of the rectangle to create a “plus” shape.

   

   

5. Fold the plus shape in half diagonally, RST. Sew two sides of the plus shape together as shown in the below diagram. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam.

   
   
   

   
   
   
   
   

6. Open the plus shape, and refold to repeat the process for the remaining sides to create a cube shape.

   
   

   

   
   

7. Leave the main fabric cube wrong side out and set aside.

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Lining Assembly

1. Sew a line 15.5 inches from each end of the 16 inch x 46 inch rectangle. These sewn lines will “score” the main fabric to allow it to sit more upright when assembled.

   
   

   

   
   

2. Repeat step 3 from the outer assembly section by folding the 16 inch x 46 inch rectangle in half lengthwise, and fold both 16 inch blocks in half to find the center of each.  Align the center mark of one 16 in block with the center mark of one side of the 16 inch x 46 inch rectangle and sew together. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam.

   
   

3. Repeat step 2 for the other 16 inch block and the opposite side of the rectangle to create a “plus” shape.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

4. Fold the plus shape in half diagonally, RST. Sew two sides of the plus shape together as shown in the diagram. Repeat for the two opposite sides. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam.

   
   
   

   
   
   

5. Open the plus shape, and refold to repeat the process for the remaining sides to create a cube shape.

   
   

   

   
   

6. Turn the lining cube right side out.

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Basket Assembly

1. Place the assembled lining RST inside the assembled main fabric.

   
   

   

   
   

2. Align the corners of the lining and main baskets and clip or pin in place along the top edge.

3. Sew the lining and main fabric together around the top edge using a ½ inch seam allowance, making sure to leave at least a 10 inch gap on one non-handle side of the basket. Make sure the handles are laying flat between the main and lining fabric so they don't get caught in the seam.

4. Turn the basket right side out using the 10 inch gap.

5. Fold over the remaining lining fabric (that was not sewn down in the 10 inch gap) ½ inch and press to match the edge of the sewn lining.

6. Turn the folded edge to the inside and clip in place so that the lining is completely inside the basket, aligned with the edges already stitched down.

7. Topstitch ¼ inch around the entire perimeter of the basket.

   
   

   

   
   

8. Add your favorite toys and enjoy!