Mesh Laundry Basket Repair

So we all have one (or five) of these wire messh, pop-up laundry baskets and after even a little use they look like this...





Now you can do one of three things, let it go till it literally falls apart, throw it out and buy a new one, or fix it. "Fix it?!" I hear you cry... Well I found a way to put a patch on my basket and it is now it is working better and will last longer.

So you are thinking I'm crazy these things only cost a few dollars in the first place so either use it till it falls apart and then buy a new one or just buy a new one. I could but really what happened was I found a good one that was only falling apart on the bottom and the handle was great so I really wanted to get a few more years out of it (cause I looked and can't find another like it).

So you are gonna try this fix? Well here is what you need...

A pack of double fold bias tape (or binding) I think I bought the 1" size.
Thread
Pins
Sewing Machine (optional)

You could make your own bias tape but I chose not too do that. It is easy and you could look up how to do it if you want to just use some fabric you have on hand.

Step 1: Measure and cut your bias tape for one side of the basket.

Step 2: Pin the bias tape in place.

Step 3: Sew the bias tape using either your sewing machine or a needle and thread. If you use a sewing machine then be careful working around the wire mesh, and I recommend using a zipper foot. I used my machine and it didn't give the best results but was quicker, and hey it is still just a cheap laundy basket. I'm not sure I would have done better with a needle and thread and my 2 hands but you may if you are careful.

Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3 on the other sides.

Voila your basket is now sturdier for a while longer. You're welcome.

Helping the Herd

Well my All Cozy (my etsy/crafting business) side of my life has been busy making corn heat wraps and doing not much else for the last few months. Every time I think I'm a head of the game something happens and I feel like I'm playing catch up again. But despite that I've decided that what I'm doing now is more important that making some money on my heat wraps or crafting for my own enjoyment. What I'm doing now is trying to be WITH God.

Our Pastor preached last Sunday that (in a nut shell) real peace doesn't come from God being with US (since God is everywhere he is always with us) but from us being with God. It makes so much since to me. How else could missionaries go overseas to do potentially dangerous work and have peace about it. It is because they are doing Gods work and therefor are WITH God.

Now I am trying to do that be with God and help him do HIS work (not mine). So some of you may have heard about the mom from my MOPs group whose oldest daughter was diagnosed with a rare for of Brain cancer and lost her short but brave Battle in early February. If you haven't it was a truly heartbreaking and touching story that you can read more about in this link.

In the wake of her loss and in the name of remembering her and helping other families in a similar situation, a group volunteers have gotten together to help raise funds for Maddie's Mark (a foundation her family set up), and are sewing Elephants.

Sewing... To help remember and carry on Maddies memory and help other families. I feel like it was a meant to be way for me to help out. So tonight I go pick up some Elephants that need tags sewn in them. So a break this weekend from All Cozy work and a chance to do what I believe is Gods work.

Please check out the website and findout how you can help or maybe buy and elephant for someone in your life.

Maddie's Elephants: Each of Maddie's elephants is handcrafted by a vol...: Each of Maddie's elephants is handcrafted by a volunteer in the herd. Every elephant is special and unique. Maddie's Elephants ...