DIY Painted Rope Basket

If I haven’t cautioned you about the addictive nature of sewing rope baskets, consider this your official warning. Once you start, you just can’t stop. All it takes is a foot on the pedal, and a hand to guide the rope through the sewing machine, to have a simple, yet chic, bag take shape. It’s a very satisfying experience which is why I have umpteen rope bags and baskets piled up in a corner of my office. So one night, as I was about to sit down to a glass of wine and an evening of Netflix, I suddenly had the urge to paint. But paint what? Baskets! An entire season of Stranger Things later, I had a trio of painted baskets with brightly hued patterns. And as expected, I can’t stop . . .

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You’ll need:

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Sew a rope basket using this tutorial and instead of stitching it with colored thread, use white or cream colored thread. When you’re ready to paint, squeeze large dollops of colored acrylic paint onto a disposable plate. Use a 1/4″ flat brush, to apply paint and create a pattern.

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It helps to mix a bit of water into the paint to thin in out, making it easier to apply onto the textured rope. Paint horizontally, along the rope and then vertically to get in between the creases.

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I like starting by creating a single motif and then repeating it on the left and right of the original motif.

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Then go across the basket, centering the opposing motif and working left and right. Eventually your opposing patterns will meet, making the overall basket look symmetrical.

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Don’t worry about it being too perfect or if you make a mistake. Nobody will really be able to tell. Trust me!

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Use them to hold plants, skeins of yarn, throws, etc. If you decide to put plants in your rope baskets, make sure they drain of water completely before inserting the planter into the basket.

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(images by HonestlyWTF)

Leave a Comment

43 Comments

  1. Michelle wrote:

    They’re so beautiful, I love the designs!
    https://www.makeandmess.com/

    7.27.16
    Reply
    • Archana ladha wrote:

      Simple but looking awesome

      12.19.20
  2. Katherine wrote:

    These are beautiful!!

    I’ve found Poly/Cotton blend clothesline at Home Depot in Canada. Would this work instead of 100% cotton?

    7.27.16
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Katherine, I’m sure it would! Although I would test a patch of paint on the rope before sewing it, just to make sure it takes.

      7.27.16
  3. barb wrote:

    Fijn idee!!! Folks and essential!

    7.27.16
    Reply
  4. Amy wrote:

    So pretty. What a great way to personalize

    Amy | http://www.yankified.com

    7.27.16
    Reply
  5. Julian wrote:

    Wow, beautiful! Pretty amazing, must try!! Thank You!!

    7.27.16
    Reply
  6. Kristie wrote:

    These are so cute! I can’t believe they are painted, they look like they are stitched.

    http://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
    http://www.fashionnotfear.wordpress.com

    7.28.16
    Reply
  7. So beautiful!

    7.30.16
    Reply
  8. Eden wrote:

    These turned out gorgeous! Loved and Pinned!!!

    7.31.16
    Reply
  9. Sarah wrote:

    this is beautiful! i great and simple DIY 🙂

    xo Sarah
    Absolutely Sarah | Bloglovin

    8.6.16
    Reply
  10. These are so charming! Such beautiful colors!

    8.9.16
    Reply
  11. Sarah wrote:

    Does the rope become dirty/dingy after plants are in them? Do you use any type of liner with like a whole at the bottom or something?

    8.11.16
    Reply
  12. Maureen wrote:

    So so pretty those baskets, you have the greatest taste in color!!
    Do you think every sawing machine is able to sew rope?
    I love it

    8.23.16
    Reply
  13. Momina wrote:

    amazing color combinations!!! love their traditional kinda look
    creativistics.wordpress.com

    9.23.16
    Reply
  14. Dropati k wrote:

    Very prity colour combination are very nice

    6.10.17
    Reply
  15. Liss wrote:

    Hi! I love this idea, but I’m a little unsure of how to measure the pattern properly around the basket so that it’s even and the motif finishes whole and links up with the first one you painted? Thanks in advance!

    11.7.17
    Reply
  16. adelya wrote:

    Amazing work! Could you share how you narrow the top of the bowls please.

    4.2.18
    Reply
  17. The beautiful bonsai and ornamental plants are beautifully decorated

    8.14.18
    Reply
  18. Chris Scholten wrote:

    I LVE these painted baskets!! You did such a PERFECT job!! Wish me luck—I just might try it!!!!

    10.28.19
    Reply
  19. Kathryn Stewart wrote:

    Thanks for this great idea! I would add that this is why I save the plastic covers/lids of all kinds and sizes of food and other containers. One would fit perfectly in the bottom of a basket to keep it dry and free of moisture from the wet pot.

    2.15.20
    Reply
  20. Lindos. Amei. Obrigada por compartilhar

    6.19.23
    Reply