Vintage Wicker Sewing Basket and Three Ways to Use It

Long time, no blog. Summer. But, I am hoping to share FIVE post over the next week about thrift store finds and three ways to use each find. Each item may or may not include a bit of a makeover or upcycle. The first thrifted find I am sharing is this vintage, wicker, sewing, storage basket and seat.

Someone had previously recovered the seat on this piece and they did it with a beautiful quilt square. I am guessing this was done in the early to mid nineties, based on the fabric colors and prints. The person actually quilted the star to the batting and the cover under the batting. 

I removed the wicker wrapped wood dowel that was attached to the back of the seat cover. The nails that acted as hinges to lift the lid had pulled out of the wood dowel. I typically leave what is on a seat cover, but I was super curious if there was original fabric underneath--there was not. But, I could tell by the pattern on the original inside and the wood on the other side, that this sewing basket seat is definitely old. I chose a thrifted, Pier One curtain panel to recover the seat. I added a tab to lift the seat.

I thought the theme on the fabric complimented with the bamboo handles and the wicker. I freshened and cleaned the wicker up with Wise Owl Furniture Salve. You can get it from my friend Tina, HERE. There is a little damage or dark spots on the corners at the same height that I didn't worry about. The sewing basket is old and the damage doesn't change the ability to use this piece. I did hot glue the wicker in a few, small spots. The inside looked as though it was redone with the quilt square was added. It was still perfectly clean.

This piece makes a great storage bench at the end of the bed. It would be perfect for storing extra blankets or sheets.

Another useful place for this sewing basket seat is in the family room.

Place it in a corner and use it for blankets, games, and extra seat when needed. It wouldn't be the most comfy seat, but would definitely work at a table or a seat grouping when you have company over. 

A third way to use this basket is as a side table next to a chair.

Store books, seasonal decor, photo albums in it and use the top for books. It is even flat enough to hold a cup of coffee on a saucer or tray. 

There isn't much about this piece that I don't love. It is versatile, vintage, unique, and adds warm texture to a space.

How would you use it?