When we left off yesterday, the round tube of the bucket was complete. The next step will be to insert the bottom. Begin pinning it in place right sides together, making sure that the motifs are right side up.

Using lots of pins as this makes it easier to keep the edges together when sewing.

Sew with the bottom piece on top, making sure to smooth out the side section as you go. Don’t be in a hurry, go a few inches and reposition.

Cut a strip of background fabric long enough to go around the seam. Fold over the edge at the beginning, and overlap the other end.

Sew it in place over approximately the same seam line as the previous step. This extra line of stitching will add strength to the bottom.

Fold the binding over the raw edge and stitch in place. I preferred to do this by hand, but you can just as easily do it on the machine. This will end up inside the bag.

When you get to the fold, stitch it down as well.

Turn the bag right side out. At this point, before finishing the top edge, decide how you want to do the handles. You’ll need two handles about 10 inches long x 1 inch wide. You can make them out of fabric with a bit of batting inside, or do as I did, use webbing. I cut the pieces to length and soaked the ends with Fray Check so it could dry while I was working on the top binding.

Cut your top binding to length x 2-1/2-inches wide. Fold lengthwise and press. Stitch to the right (outside) side of the bag as usual for quilt binding. Then wrap the folded edge over the raw edge of the bucket and stitch by machine or hand.

The bucket is almost finished.

Find the center sides by meeting the edges together and putting in a pin on opposite edges. Place the handle about an inch away from the pin on either side.

Repeat for the opposite side, making sure the handles are evenly spaced. Stitch them to the bucket.

All complete, it is a fun thing to make for your holiday decor, or to transport gifts. You can use it in many ways around the house, put silk poinsettias in it for a festive display. Mine is 14 inches high, and has a diameter of 11 inches.

Put it in the bathroom to hold extra guest towels.

However you choose to use it, it is sure to bring a smile to everyone who sees it! Do you have a panel just begging to become a quilted bucket?