Hello Friends! I’m always so shocked when October comes and then suddenly it is Halloween time! Maybe you’re like me where you’d like a fun homemade Halloween treat bucket instead of a store-bought one… and you’re a week from Halloween? If so… well, I’ve got a treat for you today! Smile! Let’s make a Halloween Bucket! With just a little sewing experience you can have this bucket made in just a couple hours (or less).
Treat Bucket
Necessary Supplies:
- Fusible Flex Foam, 12 x 20-inch piece (*optional, see note below)
- Fabric for outer bag and lining (I used two pieces, 1/4 yard each)
- Clover Scissors-Art No. 4941
- Clover Wonder Clips- Art No. 3159
- Clover Hera Marker-Art No. 490/NV
- Clover Rotary Cutter– Art No.7502
- Clover Erasable Fabric Marker- Art No. 515
- Webbing 1-1/2 inch wide by 20 inch
- Paper 7.5-inch circle pattern
Note: Fusible Flex Foam in this tutorial is optional; however, it adds stability and is the thing that makes the bag become a bucket! You can purchase a small amount at any fabric store, or a larger amount on Amazon. If you do not use Flex Foam be sure to at least use sturdy interfacing.
Instructions:
Step One: The first thing we need to do is to make a circular pattern for the bucket bottom. We need a circle that is 7.5 inches in diameter. You can either look around your house for a large bowl or lid that would be this size, or we can make one! I used a compass set at 3.75 inches and drew a perfect circle on a plain piece of paper. Cut out your circular pattern – be sure to use old scissors and not your good Clover scissors to cut paper!
Step Two: Gather supplies and using a Clover Rotary Cutter, cut your fabric and flex foam as follows:
Outer fabric:
- Cut two 12 inches wide x 10 inches tall (if your fabric is directional, be sure to cut it accordingly)
- Cut one 9-inch square
Lining fabric:
- Cut two 11.25 inches wide x 8.5 inches tall
- Cut one from the circle pattern
Fusible Flex Foam:
- Cut two 12 inches x 10 inches
- Cut one 9-inch square
Step Three: Place each outer fabric piece on each flex foam piece. Iron the fabric to the fusible flex foam; make sure it adheres.
Step Four: Now we are going to add some straight-line quilting. You can certainly eyeball this but I like to mark my lines using the Clover Hera Marker. I marked my lines one inch apart, quilted those, and then eyeballed a line in between those so that I ended up with 1/2 inch quilting lines. Don’t be intimidated by the thickness of the flex foam… it is SO easy to sew through! Quilt in this manner on both outer pieces as well as the bottom piece.
Step Five: Using a Clover Rotary Cutter and a ruler cut your large quilted outer pieces to 11.5 inches wide to 8.5 inches tall. Use the paper circular pattern to cut a perfect circle in the quilted square piece.
Step Six: Using Clover Wonder Clips, attach the shorter (8.5 inches) right sides together on quilted outer pieces. It’s important to use the Wonder Clips here so that it holds the thickness together. Sew 1/2 inch seam. Once again, don’t let the thickness intimidate you in sewing. Repeat and sew the other side together, forming a tube.
Step Seven: Find the center point between the side seams of the outer bag “tube” and using a Clover Erasable Marker, mark a little line at that point on the flex foam. Do this on both sides. Now take your round bucket bottom piece, fold it in half and mark both edges, fold in half the other direction and mark those folded edges as well. You will end up with four perfectly spaced marks.
Step Eight: Line up the bucket’s bottom right sides to the bottom of the tube. Match the marks on the bottom to the side seams and to the marks in between the side seams. Use a LOT of Wonder Clips close together to really hold the bottom to the outer lining tube!!
Step Nine: Sew a 1/2 inch seam all the way around the bottom, not removing Wonder Clips until you sew right up to them. This is not a hard step, just take your time!
Step Ten: Once you’ve sewn all the way around the bottom, use your Clover Scissors and cut the seam down to 1/4 inch. Turn the bucket right side out and smooth the bottom out and make sure the seam is intact all the way around.
Step Eleven: Prepare the bucket handle: fold the 20-inch webbing length to find the center point and mark with the Cover Erasable Marker. Now, using that center mark as a guide, measure four inches on each side of the center and mark again. You will now have marks that are four inches on each side of the center. Fold that eight-inch section together on the short width and use Wonder Clips to hold it in place. Sew right along that edge from one mark all the way to the other mark (eight inches). This forms a narrow section where a little child’s hand will hold the handle! It is an optional step but makes it easier to hold and gives it a finished look as well.
Step Twelve: Attach the bucket handle: Center one handle end to the side seam of the top of the bucket. Hold in place with Wonder Clips and sew 1/4 inch to hold in place. Use the other end of the handle and repeat this step. Set the bucket aside.
Step Thirteen: Take your lining pieces and circular lining bottom and repeat steps seven through eleven. EXCEPT FOR ONE DIFFERENCE: when sewing one of the side seams of the lining, leave an opening approximately 3-4 inches in length. This will be used for turning the bag right side out on the last step. Keep the inner back with the wrong side facing out.
Step Fourteen: Place the quilted outer bucket inside the inner bucket lining. Make sure the right sides are together and the handle is pushed to the inside. Line up the side seams and use Wonder Clips to hold them in place. Sew 1/2 inch seam all the way around the bucket top. Remove from the sewing machine and using Clover Scissors, cut that seam to 1/4 inch.
Step Fifteen: Push the entire outer bucket through the opening in the side seam of the lining; don’t be afraid to push and pull to get it through the opening.
Step Sixteen: Close the opening in the side seam by clipping in place with Wonder Clips and sewing that opening closed. You will not see this seam after the bucket is complete, so don’t worry if your sewing shows. Push the lining to the inside of the bucket.
Step Seventeen: Iron the top edge of the bucket, making a nice smooth edge. Top stitch 1/8 inch from the top edge and then top stitch again 1/4 inch from the first stitch forming two top stitch lines.
Your Treat Bucket is complete and ready to fill up! This might seem like a complicated thing to sew but honestly, it is so easy and can be done in just a couple hours. Then the next one you make will be even faster! These are such fun treat buckets and can be used for so many occasions outside of Halloween! I can think of so many things to do with this bucket… especially where children are concerned!
Now get right to making your bucket and tag me on Instagram @redfeedsack so I can see it!
Happy trick or treating!
~ Dori ~
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