DIY Fabric Storage Boxes

Check out these really easy no-sew fabric storage boxes

I did these up for my new craft room in the $100 Room Challenge. So, being thrifty was a requirement. Also, you can make these boxes WHATEVER SIZE you want. And if you are like me, and have spent countless hours, wandering around craft and dollar stores with a tape measure trying to find the correct sized box, this is AMAZING! And if you don’t have a mini tape measure in your purse… you really should ; )

I am a HUGE FAN of bins. I love them in all shapes and sizes. Being able to put a lot of clutter into a pretty and tidy container is a beautiful thing! So let’s start crafting!

Supplies

For 3 boxes

Foam core board 20″ x 30″ – 2 pieces
Fabric – 1 Yard/Metre
Rhinestone Mesh Ribbon – 2 rolls
Duct Tape
Spray Adhesive
T-Square
Utility Knife
Straight Edge
Hot Glue Gun
Tailors Chalk

As I said, you can make these boxes to whatever size you need. For the purpose of this post, I will use the size that I made. These boxes are 10”x10”x7”high. I used this size to go on the shelves of my IKEA billy bookcase.

Originally when I was planning these out, I was going to use left-over moving boxes, of which I have a LOT. But they are a bit bendy. So, instead I used foam core craft board – better! And the beauty part of this is that they are $1.50 a sheet at Dollarama. I LOVE DOLLARAMA.

The day that I went to get the foam core, they were all out of the white. So, I grabbed 2 sheets of the black. Happy accident!!!! I love the look of the black for the interior of these boxes. Okay, let’s get constructing.

Boxes

Two pieces will make 3 boxes. Bottoms are 10” x 10”. Sides are 10” x 7” and 9.5” x 7”. You will need 3 bottoms, and 12 sides. Cut all of the side pieces to 10″ x 7″, and then just cut them down to 9.5″ afterwards. Here is how you lay them out.

Since I used black foam core, I needed a pen that would show up. Generally I use chalk for fabric and things that I don’t want a permanent mark on. But since these are getting covered in fabric anyway, I went with a sharpie. White or metallic works well. I used a silver one!

Also, I used my T-square for clean straight lines. For cutting, get a fresh sharp blade, or you will end up with ragged edges. Use a metal straight edge to cut against.

Next we construct our boxes. Grab a bottom, and four sides. Remember that if there are any imperfections, put them on the OUTSIDE of the box, as you will be covering it with fabric. Construction is easy because we are using Duct tape!!!!! Ya BABY! You can buy this in all sorts of great colours, which shouldn’t matter because we are using opaque fabric to cover the boxes.If you are planning on using a more sheer fabric, then I suggest you use packing tape instead. You can just cut a medium piece of tape for each side of the box. Apply the tape, flip the bottom piece over, and start attaching the sides.

Start with the 2 10″x7″ pieces. Sit the side piece on TOP of the bottom and fold the tape up (keep it straight)

Repeat with the opposite side. Then take the remaining 2 side pieces and cut ¼” off of each piece. This way they will fit in between the 2 sides that you have already attached. Put them in place and attach to the bottom piece.

Once all four sides are attached tape the edges of the box.

Fabric

I bought my fabric at my local fabric store. It was in the clearance section, and was $6/metre (yard). This is enough to cover 3 boxes. You can find all sorts of great stuff in the clearance section, and since you don’t need much, so you can go for the good stuff! I went with this satin, just because I loved the colour. I think these would also look awesome with a patterned or textured fabric. But since I was putting them with my IKEA Billy Bookcases, that I had stencilled, pattern or texture would have been too much! Also be careful about using anything that is very thin or light, as you may be able to see through it. Maybe do a little test piece on the bottom before covering the whole box.

Measure

Each box takes two pieces of fabric cut to 12” x 27”. Which is perfect if your fabric is 60” (145cm) So, that works out to 12” or 1/3 yard of fabric per box. So for 3 boxes 1 yard/metre should do it.Take one of the pieces of fabric and iron over 1” on each long edge to make the piece 10” x 27″. Then use Fusible seam binding to tack down the seam allowance. You might want to draw a chalk line to ensure your edge is straight.

Covering

Gather up your fabric pieces, completed foam core box and spray adhesive. Do this on a drop cloth or a cardboard box (I keep finding uses for my left-over moving boxes) 🙂 Place your fabric wrong side up and lightly spray adhesive over the surface. Don’t go too heavy with the glue or you will get spots coming through your fabric. Place the box onto the fabric and press down. Then roll the box onto the remaining sides to ensure all sides are adhered. Fold over the edges to the inside of the box. Make a small cut at the the corners to fold over the fabric. Spray adhesive works better if you let it get a bit tacky on both surfaces before folding over. Repeat the process for the second piece of fabric., this is the piece that has the finished edges turned over. You won’t need to cut the edge on this piece, as it will fit perfectly inside the box. Let dry.

Inside edges

Since the edges are not finished, and you will be able to see inside the box you will want to add a nice finished edge. You can do some cool colour combos here. For mine, I stayed with my chosen colour palette and used silver ribbon . The best way to do this is to cut 4 pieces at 12”. Originally, I attempted to do this with one long piece of ribbon, but it proved cumbersome and messy. And I just ended up with a wobbly looking border, which I dislike.

Use a hot glue gun and apply glue to one section of ribbon at a time, and attach it to the inside of the box. Then repeat with the 3 remaining sides. Voila! Now you have a fancy little fabric covered storage box.

Finishing Touches

Now for the BLING!!!! Bring on the bling 🙂 I used this rhinestone mesh that I found at Dollarama. It is $2/roll and it covers 6 ft. So for 3 boxes you will need 2 rolls. It comes in a couple of different looks, and I am so in love! Seriously – WOW!

You could also use ribbon, if you like. So many colour options and design possibilities. Before applying your mesh, take your T-square and Tailors Chalk, and draw a nice straight line around your box, at whatever level you desire. I did my line at 1.25” from the top. This is so you have a guide, and keep things straight.

Wrap the mesh around the finished storage box to measure and cut it where it meets. No overlap. Next lay the cut piece out on your drop cloth and glue along the long edges with a hot glue gun. Wrap it around the box, lining it up with your chalk line. The nice thing about using chalk is that it just brushes off after. Work your way around the box, pressing as you go, and lining up the cut ends on the back of the box.

Fini!

Make as many boxes as you like. The beautiful thing is that you can make these in ANY size, so if you have a shelf that is hard to find storage boxes for, this is your solution. Here is the breakdown of costs:

Foam core board– $1.50 x 2 = $3
Fabric – $6
Rhinestone Mesh Ribbon $2.00 x 2 = $4
Satin Ribbon – $2

Total Cost: $15 for 3

Cost per box: $5

Thanks for stopping by.

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