Vintage Handmade Farmhouse Gift Basket Ideas ~ Simple DIY

Hello everyone! The idea came for this basket for two reasons. First, my sister had just remodeled a good part of her now vintage looking kitchen, & secondly, she was pregnant & close to delivery. In addition to a gift for my precious new niece, I wanted to give my sister a gift she could …

April 5, 2021 · 3 min read

Wicker basket trimmed with crocheted lace holding a farmhouse book, white pitcher, honey jar and red patchwork runner

Lace-trimmed basket on a bed with a white ironstone pitcher, jar of honey and red and cream quilt

Hello everyone!

The idea came for this basket for two reasons. First, my sister had just remodeled a good part of her now vintage looking kitchen, & secondly, she was pregnant & close to delivery. In addition to a gift for my precious new niece, I wanted to give my sister a gift she could enjoy in her “new” kitchen, as well as something to relax with during recovery.

A Red & Cream Vintage Kitchen Basket

I found the perfect basket at the thrift store for starters. Always, always cherry pick the baskets at the thrift shop! Then, I gathered anything on hand kitchen related in her old-fashioned, vintage farmhouse style.

Piece of white crocheted lace held in an open hand above a textured white blanket

This piece of crocheted lace was in a pile of vintage linens I was given by a friend who was moving. It fit perfectly around the outside edge of the basket!

Length of white crocheted lace laid on kraft paper with dressmaker's shears resting across it

Hand pressing a scalloped strip of white crocheted lace against the woven side of the basket

A sharp pair of scissors quickly removed the usable portion of the lace. I then glued it to the edge of the basket ~ so cute!

Red and cream fabrics fanned beside a farmhouse decorating book, jam jar, brass candlestick and framed country print

Next I chose the color palette of red & creams/whites & gathered vintage & thrifted items. Here were the first things I considered.

Red and cream patchwork triangles pinned together with safety pins, a bolt of floral fabric behind

The DIY Book & Quilted Table Runner

The two feature gifts for my sister were the new DIY book from her favorite YouTuber, plus a red & white quilted table runner. After making the Simple Spring Quilted Table Runner for my Mom I knew I’d enjoy making another one!

The pattern for this runner is even more simple ~ just red & white triangles flying in one direction.

Red and white triangle table runner with a red bandanna strip and an oval muslin label on top

Hand-embroidered oval quilt label reading Dear Carrie, enjoy your new old kitchen, with gold scissors and thread

Every quilt has a story to tell… The red bandanna fabric came from my Grandmother’s stash I inherited ~ the strips will become ties to go around the finished quilt when it’s rolled up.

The muslin oval will become a label to mark the date & occasion.

Floral rimmed dish and a jar of golden honey on a red flowered cloth with vintage scissors

Orange Blossom Honey in a Pretty Jar

Recently Matt discovered the most delicious light & fruity Orange Blossom honey ~ what a fun treat for a kitchen basket!

The honey came in a tacky plastic container ~ so a pretty little jar & disc of fabric traced by a saucer added the perfect homey touch.

Jar of honey capped with a rose-print fabric cover, white pitcher and wicker basket behind

Underside of a white ironstone pitcher showing its stamped mark, honey jar and lace-trimmed basket behind

Ironstone, Wooden Spoons & Vintage Lithographs

This gorgeous little ironstone pitcher made its way home with me after a hunt through the antique store ~ funny how those things happen…

I added a couple wooden spoons & a set of three seasonal lithographs by Currier & Ives from the thrift shop. So vintage looking!

Basket of framed country lithographs with wooden spoons, small pitcher, honey jar and a farmhouse book alongside

Finished kitchen gift basket with lace edging, ironstone pitcher, fabric-capped honey and a quilted runner

A Lidded Sewing Basket for My Niece

This next gift basket idea is a vintage inspired sewing basket for my young niece who is learning to sew. I kept an eye out in the thrift stores for sturdy smallish baskets with lids. They were between $3 – $4 each.

Small lidded picnic basket with a wooden handle and floral applique, set on a quilt against pillows

Lidded basket on a wood table with decoupage glue, floral papers, a rose print sheet and teacup

Simple decoupage on the lid added a personalized, handcrafted touch.

Basket lid decoupaged with a cream rose print, drying beside a brush and blue floral paper

This basket had a well made lining, and once the inside of the lid is dry it will be ready for new sewing notions!

Open basket with purple floral lining, its lid decoupaged in a blue bird print, brush on a saucer

For sewing notions I included basics, a hand cut mini-charm pack, a couple packs of buttons from my grandmother, and some extra quilt blocks for her to play with.

Aqua and red charm squares, two pieced star blocks, small scissors, thread and a pincushion on a table

Finished sewing basket with the rose lid surrounded by charm packs, buttons, scissors and star quilt blocks

All ready to pack & ship! I hope you have enjoyed these simple gift basket ideas & gathered some inspiration ~ sometimes an unexpected gift means the most! If Christmas is on your mind, here’s a Christmas gift basket under $30 I put together for my sister.

Until next time,

Take care,

Rachel

Join the conversation

MiMi June 29, 2020
Hi Rachel,
Love the gift basket and what a nice surprise for your sister. The
table runner will definitely be a keepsake.

Blessings,
MiMi
1. Rachel June 29, 2020
  Hello Mi Mi!
  My sister enjoyed the surprise & is already using the table runner ~ you know how special quilted items are!
  Have a lovely day!
Ilene K Phillips June 29, 2020
What a special treat for Carrie and so sweet that the two of you can share the memory of your grandmother with the red bandanna incorporated in the table runner!! I’m glad you brought that point out in your video!!
1. Rachel June 29, 2020
  Hi Miss Ilene,
  It was special to have that bit of family history to preserve in the table runner & share with Carrie. We all have family legacies to be proud of & pass on! Thanks for watching & commenting!
  Warmly,
  Rachel
Carrie Barnett June 29, 2020
I loved the gift basket and couldn’t wait to use every single thing in it! Thank you so much! I am sure I will be using many of the sweet girts for years to come. ????
1. Rachel June 29, 2020
  Hey Carrie,
  I’m so thrilled you liked the basket & gifts! It was fun to try different items out until it felt like the perfect fit for you & your “new” kitchen! Thanks for watching the video & leaving a comment. Have a lovely day!
  Warmly,
  Rachel
kathys June 29, 2020
What a sweet and thoughtful gift!
1. Rachel June 29, 2020
  Thank you ~ the basket was such fun to make! Thanks for watching, hope you have a lovely day!
Annie Traffansted June 29, 2020
The basket turned out splendidly! Carrie absolutely loved everything about it. I don’t think her table runner Could have turned out more perfect. Great job!
1. Rachel June 29, 2020
  Hi Annie!
  The basket & table runner did turn out better than I expected ~ now I’m wanting to make more gift baskets! Thanks for stopping by & commenting!
Joanna June 29, 2020
Such a lovely idea for a gift. I am sure your sister will treasure the beautiful table runner. You’ve inspired me!
1. Rachel June 30, 2020
  Hello Joanna,
  I’m glad you found some inspiration ~ that’s the whole reason I enjoy sharing! I’d love to know what you come up with! Thanks for stopping by & have a lovely day!
  Warmly,
  Rachel
Matt June 29, 2020
You did really well putting the basket together sweetie! I’m so glad your sister liked it. Good job on the video too!
1. Rachel June 30, 2020
  Thanks Matt! Thank you for putting up with my “last minute” projects!
Pat Rasbeary June 30, 2020
Once again you made a beautiful memory basket. I know Carrie will love it.
I would love to see the table runner in full and directions on how to make it.

Thank you for another wonderful project.
1. Rachel July 2, 2020
  Hello Mrs. Rasbeary!
  Thank you! Carrie did like the basket & everything in it. I didn’t record any of the process when I was making this table runner, but I do have more quilting projects in the works. I’m glad you enjoyed this post, thanks for stopping by!
Robin Totten June 30, 2020
Rachel,
What a thoughtful and lovely gift! I’m thinking that your little niece who loves to watch her mom’s favorite YouTuber, might like looking at the book as well. Blessings! Robin ☺????
1. Rachel July 2, 2020
  Good afternoon, Miss Robin!
  You are probably right, my niece may take a look at the book too – I hadn’t thought of that! Thank you for stopping & leaving a comment. Have a lovely day!
  Warmly,
  Rachel