Make Do And Mend: Coil Basket Repair DIY

We're gearing up to move into a bigger rental while we look for a house that we may buy in the next few months. While my wish list to fill our next home with things I love grows larger by the day, I'm having to practice a little discipline in restrictive spending as we save up for our first home purchase. I've decided to adopt the old saying 'Make Do And Mend' and decided it was a good way to share ways I'm giving new life to things that don't necessarily need to be replaced. 

This first item is a coil basket I thrifted two years ago to help contain the overflow of stuffed animals in the kids' shared room. It had been used as a basket, a fort, a pretend dog house, a hiding place, etc. so it was starting to come apart. Since I hadn't spent much on it in the first place, I was tempted to get rid of it but then realized I could make it even more exciting whilst repairing it. I think my forefathers would be proud, don't you?

Exhibit A: You can see it's literally falling apart at the base and some of the edges were looking a bit undone. 

I had some paracord left over from a prior project that I realized would fit through my large tapestry needle that I use for weaving and got to work. Paracord comes in a variety of thicknesses so look for something thin and in a fun color or pattern.

Supplies: Two packages of paracord, tapestry needle, scissors, worn out basket. 

I wrapped two coils together at a time on the bottom while staggering them as I went around. This helped secure the base and I almost called it quits but then realized I wanted to add this same interesting pattern to the outside as well. After roughly deciding where I wanted my shapes to be, I penciled them in on the outside and got to work.

1. First I tied a double-knot on the inside of the basket around two of the coils.

2. Then I used my needle to push my cord through the slots and wrapped it snugly around seven times. I made sure to place the end of my knot to the side and then wrap over it so it wouldn't show. This will also keep it from unraveling.

3. Then I started wrapping around the coil above and below the first set so that I was wrapping around four total. I did this seven times as well. I ran out of cord so I just cut another length, tied another double-knot, and continued wrapping.

4. Finally, I went back down to the original two coils and wrapped another seven times before tying a knot. I had excess so I took my needle and pushed it under the wrapped pieces and out to the other side. I then pulled it tightly before trimming it off. This continues to keep the end hidden and safe from more fraying. If you do cut your ends and they show, simply burn them with a match so they'll melt slightly. 

I now have a fun plus sign basket that fits with our living room decor as well as our kids' shared room and can be utilized wherever it is needed. Also, I'm pretty sure I would've paid at least $50 for something a little less fun had I purchased this new so I'm feeling extra proud of myself. 

You can get the same look using any kind of coil basket, large or small, thrifted or new. I have two more small ones that I use to house potted plants that may need some attention next. I'm wondering how hard triangles would be. 

Do you have anything at your house that you're ready to throw out that might just need a second look?

-Rachel