How to make a laundry basket from newspaper tubes?

Having a large number of old newspapers, skilled needlewomen at home can create unusual interior items, for example, a laundry basket. The weaving technique is quite simple, and the whole process requires only the perseverance of the master and a sufficient amount of starting material.

Before you start creating a laundry basket, you need to make a sufficient number of newspaper tubes themselves, as well as prepare all other materials and tools. For work, you will need the usual prints available in every home, the dye of the selected color - for example, water-based stain, scissors and a stationery knife, acrylic varnish and a special small weight for oppression. You will also need a simple pencil with a ruler, PVA glue with a thin brush, clothespins and a long knitting needle, the diameter of which reaches 2.5 millimeters..

The formation of tubes, which act as "building" material, begins with the fact that newspaper sheets are cut into A4 pieces. Next, each of them will have to be cut into three pieces of the same size - about 7x30 centimeters, which is most conveniently done with a clerical knife. For work it is better to prepare about 200 blanksto get a little oversized.

Elements are sorted into white, gripping edges for newspaper spreads, and colored, covered in text only. White stripes can be used in their original form, and "text" ones can be colored later.Each workpiece is laid out vertically so that the white side remains on the right, after which it is twisted very tightly around the knitting needle located at the bottom left at an angle of 30 degrees. The end of the tube must be fixed with glue when only a centimeter of the strip remains.

Between themselves, they will be fastened with screwing movements, and the sharp edge of one will always be inserted into the bell of the other.

This can be done conveniently with a tray covered with polyethylene and used for drying. Each tube will be dipped for a few seconds immediately into a container with paint, and then removed to dry, which will last about 12 hours. Work better with protective gloves.

A laundry basket made of newspaper tubes can be made in different shapes: square, rectangular, round and triangular (angular). Step-by-step following the instructions of the master class in all cases requires first weave the bottom, then go on to making the walls and finish everything with the design of the top edge.

The bottom for a linen wicker basket made of newspapers can either be assembled from tubes or made of cardboard. Its shape must be thought out in advance. It is much easier to create a cardboard bottom with your own hands. As a rule, it is made rectangular, oval or round and covered with a special decorative coating on one side.

At the edges, using a ruler, marks are formed, separating every 2 centimeters. It is they who will be used for further fastening with the help of double-sided tape the tubes of the wicker basket.Fixing the newspaper blanks and smoothing their ends to a flat state, it is necessary to spread the bottom with glue, place another sheet on top and cover everything with a load. The braided bottom is much longer and more difficult to create. As a rule, first, the middle is formed from the tubes laid crosswise, which is then built up to the required size.

The base racks are built up simultaneously by putting on newspaper tubes fixed with PVA glue. It is important that all joints are either inside or in the most inconspicuous places.... To create a neat edge, the racks are wound one after the other, and then folded up. The prepared "rays" are braided by the rope method. At the end of the work, it is necessary to mask the ends of both the "vines" and the racks with a knitting needle leading them down.

The basket lid can be either hinged or separate. They should be woven using the same technology as the bottom.

The easiest way to decorate a newspaper basket for linen is to select an unusual color for coloring the tubes. Many needlewomen prefer natural shades that imitate a vine or wood, however, the choice of bright colors will make the item a real "highlight" of the interior.

Coating newspaper tubes with acrylic varnish without an unpleasant odor will not only give the product an attractive shine, but also provide additional protection from dirt and moisture. In the event that the tubes were not covered with paint before starting work, colors can be added even to the finished product by applying a thematic pattern to the surface, for example, by decoupage. Baskets, equipped with an inner fabric cover or decorated with fabric inserts, braid, lace or bows, look very beautiful.... You can decorate both the walls and the bottom with a lid.

If instead of newspapers you use magazines, or you use only sheets of periodicals with high-quality illustrations, you can make a very bright laundry basket, which will deservedly become the main focus of any bathroom. The use of bright colors allows you to use the simplest technique for weaving a round basket, since additional patterns or decorative elements will become unnecessary.

The combination of colored newspaper tubes and ordinary white ones looks no less impressive. The alternation of colors makes the subject look less flamboyant, but no less stylish. The existing hole, on the one hand, adds a touch of flavor to the round basket, and on the other, creates a convenient handle for carrying it.

If the basket is created in one color and has a classic rectangular shape, it can still look very attractive. For example, a flip top fixed on satin ribbons, lace trim or graceful patterns obtained by changing weaving techniques will be an excellent decoration.

How to make a laundry basket from newspaper tubes, see the video.