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Published Oct 3, 2024 ⦁ 9 min read
How to Weave Baskets with Recycled Magazines

How to Weave Baskets with Recycled Magazines

Turn old magazines into useful baskets in just a few hours. Here's what you need to know:

  • Materials: Old magazines, scissors, glue, ruler
  • Time: 2-3 hours for a small basket
  • Skill level: Beginner-friendly

Quick steps:

  1. Cut magazine pages into 5cm strips
  2. Fold strips for strength
  3. Weave strips to create base
  4. Form sides by weaving upwards
  5. Trim and secure edges

Key tips:

  • Use glossy pages for durability
  • Keep strips consistent in width
  • Push weave tight for structure
  • Tuck in loose ends for neatness

Customization ideas:

  • Mix colors for unique patterns
  • Add handles for portability
  • Create compartments for organization

This eco-friendly craft repurposes old magazines into functional storage solutions. Perfect for tidying up your space while reducing waste.

Aspect Details
Difficulty Easy
Cost Low (uses materials you likely have)
Customization High (size, color, shape)
Durability Moderate (depends on magazine type)
Eco-friendliness High (reuses waste materials)

Ready to start weaving? Let's dive in!

What you'll need

To start weaving baskets with recycled magazines, grab these essentials:

Basic tools

  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Ruler

Picking magazines

Go for magazines with:

  • Glossy pages
  • Vibrant colors
  • Plenty of pages (about 25 double-page spreads for a small basket)

"We chose glossy ones as they had thicker pages than some of the others resulting in a sturdier basket." - Craft Invaders

Extra decorations (optional)

  • Paint
  • Beads
  • Ribbons
Item Purpose
Scissors Cutting magazine strips
Glue Securing woven strips
Ruler Measuring even strips
Magazines Main material for weaving
Paint/Beads/Ribbons Optional decorations

For a standard-sized basket (19cm x 19cm), use a magazine measuring 27.5cm x 21cm with thin, glossy pages.

Getting magazine strips ready

Here's how to prep your magazine strips for basket-making:

Choose and cut

Pick glossy magazine pages with bright colors and good thickness. Cut them into 5cm wide strips. Use a ruler and scissors for even cuts. Aim for an odd number of strips.

Fold for strength

1. Fold strip in half lengthwise

2. Unfold and fold sides to center

3. Fold in half again

You'll end up with a 1cm wide strip made of 4 layers.

Step Action Result
1 Fold in half Center crease
2 Fold sides to center Hide edges
3 Fold in half again 4-layer strip

Want extra strength? Add a dab of glue inside each folded strip.

"Strips don't have to be straight. Wavy or wiggly is fine, just avoid sharp curves." - Quinn McDonald, Art Instigator

Pro tip: Use masking tape to secure strip tops to your work surface. Keeps them evenly spaced while weaving.

Making the basket bottom

Here's how to create a solid base for your recycled magazine basket:

Setting up the base

Lay out 9 magazine strips vertically, side by side. Space them evenly and keep them parallel.

Weaving the bottom

1. Insert a horizontal strip under and over the vertical strips. Alternate the pattern for each vertical strip.

2. Tighten the weave with both hands.

3. Add more horizontal strips, repeating the process for about 8 rows. This creates a square base.

Step Action
1 Lay 9 vertical strips
2 Weave 1st horizontal strip
3 Tighten the weave
4 Repeat for ~8 rows

"Use a clipboard to hold all the strips firmly makes the weaving much easier." - Sarah, Craft Invaders

Getting the right size and shape

1. Measure as you go. Aim for a 19cm x 19cm base.

2. Choose which side of the weave will be the inner part of your basket.

3. Draw a smaller square inside the woven base by connecting the midpoints of each side. This guides your basket shaping.

4. Fold along these lines to create creases. They'll help when you start forming the basket sides.

Making the basket sides

Now it's time to turn your flat base into a 3D basket. Let's shape those sides!

Starting to weave upwards

Here's how to form the walls:

  1. Bend the base strips upwards at a 90-degree angle.
  2. Grab a new strip and weave it over and under the upright strips.
  3. Push down on each row to keep it tight.

"Use clothespins to hold strips in place as you weave. It keeps things neat and tight." - Basket Weaving Pro Tip

Different weaving styles

Mix it up with these patterns:

Style How-to Look
Over-under Alternate over one, under one Classic and uniform
Double weave Over two, under two Chunky and textured
Twill Vary over-under sequence Sophisticated, fabric-like

Keeping the sides even

Want a well-shaped basket? Keep those sides uniform:

  • Check side height with a ruler often.
  • Count rows to keep them equal all around.
  • Adjust weave tightness if one side grows taller.

Matt Tommey, pro basket weaver, says: "Add 4-6 U-shaped expansion spokes at a time to small baskets. It prevents rapid expansion and keeps sides smooth."

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Finishing up

Time to put the final touches on your recycled magazine basket. Let's make it look polished and ready for use.

Trimming and securing

To neaten up your basket:

  1. Snip off extra strips poking out
  2. Tuck loose ends into the weave
  3. Use craft glue on the final row

For extra stability:

Method How-to Why
Glue dots Add Zots at key spots Quick, invisible
Double-stick tape Small pieces in strategic areas Easy, removable
Craft glue Thin line along the rim Long-lasting

Jessica Jones, a basket weaving fan, says: "I glued the strip around the rim with craft glue." This keeps everything in place.

Adding decorations

Spice up your basket:

  • Wrap a colorful ribbon around the top
  • Glue on beads or buttons
  • Weave in patterned paper strips

To attach decorations:

  1. Hot glue for quick fixes
  2. Mod podge for a sealed look
  3. Clear wood glue for sturdy add-ons

Don't stress about perfection. The Craft Invaders blog notes: "Our recycled magazine basket is really cute, and it's lovely to finally use up something that normally would end up in the recycling."

Helpful tips

Making a magazine basket can be tricky. Here's how to avoid common issues and add your personal touch.

Watch out for these mistakes

  1. Uneven strips: Cut strips 5cm wide. Keep them consistent.

  2. Weak structure: Fold strips twice (4 layers). Makes your basket stronger.

  3. Loose weave: Push weavers down tight. Keeps the shape.

  4. Messy edges: Tuck in loose ends. Trim extra bits.

Stronger baskets

Want a tougher basket? Try these:

  • Use glossy pages. They're thicker.
  • Glue inside the strips. Keeps them firm.
  • Add glue while weaving. Holds things in place.
Method How-to Why
Double-sided tape Use while weaving Easier, good for kids
Glue dots Add at key spots Quick, invisible support
Craft glue Thin line on rim Long-term stability

Make it yours

Customize your basket:

  • Size: Small for desk, large for laundry.
  • Color: Match your room.
  • Function: Add handle for shopping, leave open for catch-all.

"We chose glossy ones... resulting in a sturdier basket", says Craft Invaders.

Taking care of your basket

Your recycled magazine basket can last for years if you take care of it. Here's how:

How to clean

Dust and dirt build up over time. To clean:

  1. Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment
  2. Mix warm water and a drop of dish soap for spot cleaning
  3. Air dry completely

For tough stains:

Stain Solution How to use
Mold 1:1 water and bleach Scrub gently, rinse
Grease White vinegar Dab, don't rub
Ink Rubbing alcohol Use cotton swab

"Clean your baskets with mild detergent once a year at minimum." - Courtenay Hartford, The Cleaning Ninja

Storing your basket

Keep your basket in good shape:

  • Store in a dry place
  • Avoid direct sunlight
  • Don't stack heavy items on top

Making it last longer

  1. Dust every 2-3 weeks with a microfiber cloth
  2. Deep clean yearly
  3. Don't overfill or handle roughly

More advanced ideas

Ready to take your magazine basket weaving to the next level? Let's dive into some cool techniques that'll make your baskets pop.

New weaving patterns to try

Want to spice things up? Check out these patterns:

1. Diagonal weave (twill pattern)

This one's a head-turner. Here's how:

  • Add a new strip to your base
  • Weave over two strips, then under two
  • Keep it up until you hit your desired height

Boom! You've got diagonal lines that'll catch everyone's eye.

2. Checkered weave

For a classic look that never gets old:

  • Grab two different-colored magazine strips
  • Weave them over and under alternate spokes
  • Watch as a striking pattern emerges

3. Hexagonal weave (cheese basket)

This one's tricky, but worth it:

Step What to do
1 Start with a hexagonal base
2 Weave strips in a spiral
3 Slowly increase the basket's width
4 Switch to plain weave for the sides

Using other recycled items

Magazines are great, but why stop there? Try:

  • Newspapers
  • Old fabric scraps
  • Plastic bags

Mix it up and see what cool textures you can create.

Adding useful features

Make your baskets work harder with these add-ons:

1. Lids

Weave a lid that fits snugly. Now you've got a perfect hideaway for your stuff.

2. Handles

Make your basket portable:

  • Use tough magazine strips or rope
  • Weave them into the sides for strength
  • Reinforce where they attach so they don't tear

3. Compartments

Split your basket into sections:

  • Weave dividers as you build the sides
  • Create spaces to keep things organized

Now you're not just making baskets - you're crafting custom storage solutions!

Wrap-up

You've just learned how to turn old magazines into cool, useful baskets. It's not just fun - it's a smart way to recycle stuff you already have lying around.

Here's what you need:

  • Old magazines
  • Scissors
  • A bit of tape

That's it. Simple, right?

The best part? You can make baskets in all sorts of sizes and shapes. They're perfect for tidying up your home or office.

Want to level up your basket game? Try these tricks:

  • Use card stock for your template. It'll make your baskets stronger.
  • Start weaving from the middle of one side. It'll make your basket more stable.
  • Use a new strip for each row. It'll stop your basket from bunching up.

Don't be scared to mix it up. Play with different colors and patterns. Throw in some newspaper or fabric scraps for a unique look.

This isn't just a craft. It's a way to get creative and help the planet at the same time. So grab those old magazines and start weaving. You might just find your new favorite hobby.

FAQs

How to make a basket from a newspaper magazine?

Want to turn old magazines into something useful? Here's how to make a basket:

1. Gather your stuff

You'll need:

  • Old magazines or newspapers
  • Scissors
  • Tape

2. Prep the strips

  • Cut a two-page spread in half
  • Fold each strip to make it stronger

3. Build the base

  • Make a grid with your strips
  • Weave them over and under

4. Create the sides

  • Fold up the base strips
  • Weave new strips around them

5. Wrap it up

  • Tape the edges
  • Fold over the top for a clean look

"We use a piece of card as a guide to show us where to start the weave remembering to leave some length for the sides. Using a clipboard to hold all the strips firmly makes the weaving much easier." - Sarah from Craft Invaders

Pro tips:

  • Use glossy pages for tougher strips
  • Cut strips about 5cm wide
  • Fold strips twice for extra strength
  • Glue strip edges to keep them firm

Now you've got a cool, eco-friendly basket. Time to get crafty!

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