DIY No-Sew Rope Coil Basket
Learn how to make this DIY No-Sew Rope Coil Basket using craft store supplies. This simple craft project is easy to make. A DIY storage basket that you can make in all shapes and sizes.
I have been swooning over all of the simple yet gorgoues rope baskets. I knew I had to figure out an easy way to make one.
I went to my local fabric warehouse and found the perfect “rope” – natural cotton piping. I spent $6 on cording for this good sized basket. This piping is used for making cording for sofas and pillows! (I do realize that the cotton piping is more expensive now, I first did this project in 2015)!
Traditional rope baskets are made using a sewing machine, but I opted for the easy method – hot glue gun. Using glue will not make the basket as secure and heavy duty as a rope basket that has been sewn. But our basket makes a prefect place to hold your knitting projects or stuffed animals or blankets. I dressed up the basket by adding leather handles.
What is Natural Cotton Piping?
Like I mentioned above, natural cotton piping is traditionally used to make the piping on pillows and couches. You can buy it by the yard at fabric stores. I know at Joanns, it is in the back of the fabric section. You can buy it in different gauges or weights. I used this type of piping for this wall hanging project and adore it!
Read more for the full tutorial…
DIY No-Sew Rope Coil Basket Supplies
3/8 inch Natural Cotton Piping
– 25 yards
scissors
bucket or basket
*For a more study basket, you can use rope from the hardware store. Yardage depending on size of basket.
How to make a DIY No-Sew Rope Coil Basket
STEPS
1. I used a galvanized metal bucket to model my basket for shape and size. Start by wrapping the cord (keep tape on end of cord) and applying hot glue in between every inch of cording.
2. Wrap and glue. Wrap and glue.
TIP: Make sure and do not get too much glue seeping through the front of the basket in between the cording. It can yellow over time. And you do not want to see that!
3. Place the flat bottom portion of glued cording on the bottom of bucket. At this point, start glueing the cording together on the top of cord to build the basket shape.
4. Continue wrapping and glueing.
5. Once you have glued enough cording to the desired basket size, remove the cord basket from bucket.
6. To end the basket, use clear tape to wrap around end of cord. Glue gun to basket. My basket is 8.5 inches tall and 11 inches wide handle to handle. Check your glueing skills and double check that there are not any spots missing glue!
Leather handle supplies
leather straps
scissors
Steps:
1. Punch holes onto each side of 10 inch leather straps using leather punch.
2. Place rivet inside hole. Place strap onto basket. Hammer in the rivet.
3. Make sure the rivet is secure. You might need to add extra hot glue where the rivet went through the cording.
4. Now you have a beautiful rope coil basket! This basket is not meant for holding heavy items. It is perfect for knitting yarn, stuffed animals, etc. It is meant to be a decorative basket.
We love using cotton piping and cotton rope in craft projects. Check out these rope projects:
Photos by Sara Albers. all rights reserved. Modeled by Ashley Aikele.
Wow, This is so amazing!!! Love this idea so much <3
Thanks Amy!
How much did this project end up costing to make?
Hi Becky –
I spent $6 on the piping. That was my only cost because I used scrap leather straps and tools from a friend. But, you could use an old leather belt (free or cheaply thrifted) for straps. Leather hole punch is $6, rivets $5, glue gun $5. So, a little over $20. You could also make the basket for $6 plus glue and not add straps for a really cheap and chic basket!
– Sara
Where did you get 25 yards of this piping for $6?
Hi Kitty – I bought my cotton piping at a fabric warehouse in San Francisco. But often you can find it at big box fabric stores for half off.
Fabulous! it turns out very chic!
Thanks! We loved how it came out too!
This basket looks fantastic, love the contrast between the light rope and the handles – way to go!
Thanks for the kind words! We love how the basket turned out!
Love this! It would do wonders to my yarn stock! Thanks for sharing!
It must not hold anything heavy, since it is only glued…….
Hi Sharon –
You are right… since it is not sewn and just glued it can hold lighter weight items. In the post I shared that I use it for yarn, knitting supplies and also great for stuffed animals!
Thanks, Sara
Can I some how reinforce it and make it more sturdy to hold heavier objects.
Regards
Sanjeev
You could reinforce by using a sewing machine instead of glue. But I would think that if you wanted to use the glue and reinforce- you could use a heavy duty thread or embroidery floss and stitch from bottom to top on the four sides. Now, I have not done that myself but would think it could help.
– Sara
I know this idea I’m going to present would kind of defeat the purpose of only being a rope tote, but if you wanted a reinforced outwardely-rope-tote you can glue the rope directly to a current bin (like the one she used as her model). You can leave it like this with the galvanized steel showing inside or you can continue gluing the rope inside the bucket and then it looks like an all-time bucket, but has the reinforcement of a regular bucket/tote. 🙂
All-rope* (darn auto-correct lol)
Great idea Megan! Thanks for sharing. – Sara
gREAT IDEA!
Thanks!
You could also glue the rope to a box (square) or to like a round wastepaper bin (like one for a bathroom?) But again as Megan mentioned this negates the wonder of creating this with just rope. In this case it wouldn’t be wrap and glue, wrap and glue, but wrap and glue together and glue to the box, so wrap, glue, glue; wrap, glue, glue….
Fun idea! Thanks for sharing. – Sara
Use gorilla glue in your hot glue gun
I used regular hot glue in the glue gun.
it looks stunning def going to give it a try
I like it!!!
This is beautiful! I might try this but glue the rope to the metal bucket instead and use the bucket handles for lifting. Similar look but leave the metal exposed on the inside. it could be a pretty planter this way too. 🙂 Great job and thanks for the inspiration!
Great idea!
This is wonderful basket. I haven’t used this kind of rope yet but next time I’m going to do my basket with a cotton rope. Absolutely adorable. 🙂
Thank you for sharing!
I think I just just found a new favorite diy project to try! Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial on this! I cannot wait to get some supplies and make these for my home! Simply beautiful and genius!
Have a wonderful weekend
Jess
LiveRandomlySimple
It is the best!
did you knit your sweater? Its super cute! What PAttern did you use?
Hi Jaime – no, we did not knit the sweater. I wish I did! =)
wow!!!! it’s amazing!!!
Thank you so much!
This is just so pretty. So perfect to use in my guest bedroom/bathroom to hold hand towels, sample size lotions etc. Job well done 🙂
what size Galvanized metal bucket did you use? This looks great! excited to try this DIY idea!
Hi Susan –
The bucket is 12 inches wide by 9 inches. It is 8 inches height.
How wide are your leather straps and how large was the bucket you used? It looks awesome and im hoping to make one this week!
The bucket is The bucket is 12 inches wide by 9 inches. It is 8 inches height. The leather straps are 3/4 inches wide. Enjoy!
I absolutely love this! Must do!
Hi
I LOVE YOUR IDEAS SO MUCH . THANK YOU
Thanks so much!
This is such a great project, I love it! I’ve included it in my roundup found here http://www.babybugjournals.com/rope-diys.html
-Lindsay
Thanks, Lindsay!
can this basket be lifted? Will it come apart if used to carry items like fruit etc.?
It is more for decorative than lifting things. I shared in the post that I use it for yarn – very very light objects.
You did A great jOb!! I love it!
Thnx
Lynn
Thank you Lynn!
cool i should try this sometime
Love,love,love!
Thanks Sharon!
How can you spend $6 on cording when Amazon charges $30?
Hi Ryan – I bought my cording at a discount fabric store. I think that the cording on amazon is a larger quantity. – Sara
i jUST BOUGHT MY PIPING AT HOBBY LOBBY- .59 CENTS PER YARD AND THEN USED MY 40% OFF COUPON!
Nice find!
This is the epitome of easy and beautiful! Can you actually lift it by the handles with a bunch of yarn inside?
I can lift mine with yarn inside. But the basket is best for decorative storage.
You could stiTch with embroidery thread down the four sides.
A crisscross pattern in coloured threads would strengthen the baSket and be a beautiful finish.
Weave the thread inbetween the rope about a half inch apart top to bottom and then back up the opposite to the down stitch.
Thank you For this idea of the basket, it will add a great added touch to my sewing room for my scraps on my table.
Cheers to your ideas,
Holly
So beautiful! Love it!
Thanks Eden!
i just found your peoject! I want to make one right away. Might let my 10 year old make a small Version with mY help. Would make great gifts and help wiTh storage.
I wonder if I could use a REALLY strong glue. There are so many new almost industrial glues. Any suggestions for the appropriate one?
The strong glue I use for other projects is E6000 glue. I bet that would work really well!
What size piping did you use to make the basket? 1/2″? 1″? Thanks!
Hi Heather – I used 3/8 inch piping. – Sara
Awesome idea!!
I just love this I can’t to try this. 1/7/16
buenos dias esta canasta muy hermosa y facil de hacer mil gracias
Love this project, quick amd simple.
Qusetion, does the hot glue really and truly hold it together?
Did you reinforce it by sewing along where you glued it? You used heavy duty glue sticks, right??
Either way, i’ll have to try this…
Sorry for all the words in caps..it just came out that way, i’m not shouting.
Thank you,
Monique
Hi Monique – the hot glue does hold it. But please note as I said in the post, just using glue does not make this basket a utility basket. I use it more for decorative storage. I keep lots of yarn, etc in mine. If you want to make it more sturdy I would recommend sewing up 4 sides of the basket. Thanks!
I cant wait to do thiS. Im doing a beach theme remodel of the house we are moving into. Perfect to hold aditional toilet paper in our guest bathroom
Love it/Thank You
Great idea!!
i LOVE THIS!!!! i’m thinking i will make a liner and hide the reinforcement (plastic or cardboard) behind the liner. you could also use a heavy duty stabilizer on the fabric liner. would make for a much sturdier basket, don’t you think? thank you for sharing.
As a final step, i would spray the outside with scotchgard, since it’s such a light color.
That’s a great idea!
What a great project so easy effective
THANK YOU FOR YOUR NEW IDEA. THIS IS MY YEAR TO LEARN HOW TO DO LOTS OF NEW CRAFTS. YOURS IS JUST SUPER AND OFF I GO TO GET THE ROPE TO MAKE A BASKET FOR MY DOGS TOYS AND ONE FOR MY SCARVES. GREAT!
I absolutely love to try this for my bathroom for my tissue. But, could you put a plastic insert to make it in to a wastebasket for the bathroom?
That is a wonderful idea!
Ooooo…..this is definitely in my future. Thank you so much! What a fabulous holder for any current knitting project!
Thanks Kimberly!
Hi
Could I make a cat basket using this method?
Thank you
That’s a good question… The rope I used would for sure get torn up by claws I could imagine. But if you used a tighter cotton rope (think clothesline) I think that would work.
Superbe idée.moi qui suis une bricoleuse je vais essayer de le realiser
I’m so inspired to make a basket that I’m going to buy the necessary materials tomorrow. Do you think the cording could be dyed or painted (fabric paint medium)? I’m going to start with a small basket for myself and try dying the cording with Rit. Then I’m going to make another variation by covering the cording with a sleeve of fabric. I see a Christmas gift in the making.
Hi Sue – Yes, I think the cording could be dyed! Good luck.
Awesome basket..creative idea.Ty for shareing.
Hello.
Thank you for sharing (for free!!!!) this great project. Question: in photos for Steps 3, 4 and 5 I see blue tape. Purpose? Type?
Thanks in advance.
Martha.
I had put the tape on the bucket in case it was difficult to pull the basket off… but it was easy and did not need the tape. – Sara
Love this it’s awesome very contemporary😁
I love this idea. I’m trying to come up with neat projects to do with my granddaughter. This is great!! Thanks so much!
Enjoy!
Wonderful!!!
Excelente
great idea beautiful work
I can’t wait to make one. They’re very stylish and purposeful!
EXCELENT!….BEAUTIFULL!…..LINDO… LINDO!
Looks great just found this can’t wait to try this. thank you
I just love your crafts. I’m going to try a few, I can’t wait to get started. You have so many wonderful crafts I’m having trouble deciding which I want to do first.
I love, love, love this! I made a couple of fabric baskets, and I love them, but this one looks amazing. I think the leather handles make it so classy looking
Thanks! It is so easy to make – and so useful!
I love this idea! I think I will try and make one…. Great project
I’m in charge of our girls craft for our family vacation. I am in charge this year and I am going to make these. I love this idea. I just hope mine turns out nice like yours. Thanks me.
Amei esta idéia Fantastico!! Vou fazer e postar.
Idéia fantástica! Vou fazer e postar
Thanks so much for sharing this idea! What size of cotton piping did you use? I’ve found 6 sizes online so far!
I used 3/8 inch piping. See a link in the post under supplies.
Amazing idea!! I’ve been looking for something to make my crafty knitting sister-in-laws! This would be perfect…
I love the cord basket thank you for sharing.
Great idea for handmade christmas gift. My grandma will love it!
Is it strong enough to hold all these things?
This basket is more decorative.
Nice and simple. I’m gonna make one as well thank you, dk🙂
Your basket looks beautiful. I was looking at that ‘stuff’ at Hobby Lobby last week! Rats, now I’ll have to go back. There goes 2 hrs. and $100. That place just sucks you in, there’s just too much great stuff. Usually, when I get home and go online, one of you annoyingly creative gals has done something fantastic with something I had just starred at cluelessly for 10 min. Grumbling, I have to go back, try to stay focused and buy the goodies to copy what you made. Yours looks really professional. Very impressive, but, could you please think of the clever idea BEFORE I go to Hobby Lobby, maybe just once? MaryJo
Do you have to do something to the ends of the cording when finished?
You can wrap with clear tape or clear glue.