Tired of clutter? Say goodbye to chaos and hello to stylish and functional storage solutions. Discover the world of DIY fabric storage boxes, where endless possibilities await. From choosing the perfect fabric to crafting boxes tailored to your unique needs and budget, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you seek elegant simplicity or vibrant patterns, these boxes will transform your space into a sanctuary of order. Get ready to dive into the art of organization and create storage boxes that are as beautiful as they are practical!
So, what do you want to store in a fabric storage box? It could be your kids’ toys, books, files, foodstuff, toilet papers, diapers, wipes, etc. Whatever it is, you can always find or make the best fabric storage box for your needs. For this project, get a few supplies such as a fabric of your choice, tape measure, sewing machine, plastic canvas, etc., and you’re good to go.
This article will take you on a step-by-step journey of how you can make a fabric storage box as well as its benefits.
Materials Needed
- Sewing machine
- Carton box plastic canvas
- Scissors
- Dressmaking pins
- Tape measure
- The fabric of your choice
- Sewing thread
- Iron
Directions
You should be able to finish making one fabric storage box in an hour if you follow the below step-by-step instructions to the latter. You only need to have the basic sewing skills for this project.
Step 1: Cut Your Materials
You need to cut your fabric as per the measurements of the carton box you’ll be using.
For example,
The outer fabric: you need two side pieces, two end pieces, and the bottom piece. You can do 38 by 28cm on the side pieces, 25 by 28 end pieces, and 27 by 40 for the bottom part.
Lining: 38 by 28 for the two side parts, 25 by 28 for the two end sides, and 25 by 38 on the bottom part.
You also need strong cardboard for this purpose. Cut two side pieces, each measuring 35 by 25, two end pieces 22 by 25, and one bottom piece 22 by 35.
Remember to measure the sizes above in centimetres. Also, use thicker fabric for durability, like those used in upholstery.
Step 2: Sewing Part
Take one side piece each for the outer fabric and lining, then put together the right sides and sew along the short edges. Repeat the same process on the other side and end pieces.
Step 3: Join Them Together
At this point, you have all your required three pieces to make a fabric sewing box. These are the side pieces and the end pieces, all after sewing. It’s now time to join them with the right sides together.
To make it easier for you to sew the sides, you can leave about one centimetre each at the end of every seam.
Step 4: Turn Focus to the Bottom Piece
Take your cut bottom outer fabric and use the sewing machine to hem it. So, this is all around the material. Then, using dressmaking pins, pin this bottom material to the bottom lining material. Remember to do this on the wrong side of the fabric material so you can cover its seam. Go right ahead to sew the three edges.
Step 5: Time to Sew Up Its Sides
You need to start the seam right where the lining joins the outer fabric to match the seams along the top edge of your fabric storage box. Therefore, you should begin to sew up going downwards so you can join the lining sections. Then, head back to that particular point on the outer areas where you started sewing them together.
Step 6: Folding
At this very point, you need to ensure that all your linings lie together with the wrong sides of the outer fabric. If not, then there are one or two points you didn’t get right at the beginning. This will not bring out the best image of your final fabric storage box.
Therefore, you must go back and start again. But this time, do it keenly. If you did everything right, then what you have should be looking somehow like a box. Go ahead to pin the sides of this fabric box at the edges, then sew.
Step 7: Use a Strong Sewing Thread to Elastic to Make Loops
You require loops at the bottom outer fabric. While at it, make sure you don’t sew the four loops through the lining. Doing so will cause some minor difficulties when it’s time to insert the cardboard.
You can then put a button on each outer side fabric since you’ll have to button up your fabric once you’ve inserted the cardboard. Do this at the bottom of your fabric storage box and also next to where you put the loops.
Step 8: Place the Handles on The Sides
To make your handles, cut two pieces of plain fabric if your outer fabric is colorful. Fold and sew the long edges then iron. After, fold the ends towards the back and put pins to hold in place.
Again, using pins, place them on your fabric box just a few inches from the top edge. Ensure they lie right at the center and sew to get a nice and sturdy look. You also must ensure you don’t sew through to the lining.
Step 10: Insert Your Cardboard
Now that your fabric storage box is ready, it’s time to make it look firm and in place for all your storage needs. This is where you insert your cut cardboard pieces, each at its equivalent position, and then you button up.
You can decide to put a zip at the ends instead of buttons to conceal the material inside wholly. The reason you need buttons or zips is to easily remove and replace the cardboard pieces whenever they’re damaged or when you want to wash.
Benefits of Fabric Storage Boxes
They Offer Versatility
One can change how they use these boxes as per their needs. Perhaps you need to declutter your kids’ rooms or keep your kitchen neat and organized. How about putting them up on that empty bookshelf to keep some more books or files? Whatever your storage needs, these boxes will always come through.
Fabric Storage Boxes Are Beautiful
As mentioned earlier, these storage boxes come in various shapes, thicknesses, and fabric patterns. If you’re a colorful person, you can go for just that. There’s always one ready in stores, or you can make one yourself that goes well with your interior décor. This means that you can make a fabric storage box in the exact color and fabric print you want.
Always Available
These are some of the things that are always available in every retail store. Also, you can get the materials to make them in every store near you.
Simple to Make
Making fabric storage boxes isn’t complicated at all. In most cases, you only need to measure, cut, fold and pop up, and it’s ready for whatever storage needs you have in mind.
They Are Soft
One concern about keeping some boxes in the kid’s room is that the kids would get hurt, especially from the hard edges. However, a fabric storage box offers that softness, hence safe to use around younger children.
The Various Ways One Can Use Fabric Storage Boxes to Organize
To Keep Toys in One Place
You can decide to use fabric storage boxes on their own or keep them on a shelf to keep your children’s toys, especially inside their playroom. You understand how toys clattered everywhere in the room can make the place look untidy and unorganized. This is the best solution for such cases.
If you don’t have a playroom, keep them in the living area for the same purpose, to organize toys.
To Keep Your Cold-Weather Wears
Winter is seasonal, so is the cold-weather clothing. You’d want to declutter your bedroom closet during summer. Fabric storage boxes are the best option in this case. Use them to arrange and keep your cold-weather clothes away until the next winter season.
You Can Also Use Them to Store Items for Each Activity
Imagine how fast and easy it would be to get something from a labelled fabric storage box. For instance, you can decide to keep files and books for each meeting in a different storage box in the office. Then label it for easy location and access.
Arrange Your Clothes in Them
Putting handles on your DIY fabric storage boxes can come in handy when you want to keep your clothes. These boxes make excellent drawers for your sweaters, jeans, makeup kits, ties, and even socks. You only need to pull them out and push in whenever you need to pick something.
Use Fabric Storage Boxes to Keep Your Magazines and Newspapers in The Room
Leaving such reading materials lying around in the room can make the place look untidy. However, that can sort out that using these fantastic boxes. You can store magazines and newspapers in these storage boxes in one corner of the room to make it organized.
To Keep Your Shoes
This idea works well with the kids’ shoes, for those who don’t have shoe racks, and more so in a shared bedroom. Keep the shoes inside, then push these boxes under the bed.
Summary
This is a DIY project that is simple, quick, and easy to make. Plus, the materials required are not costly at all yet bring out something appealing to the eyes. Keep your place neat and well organized by making your own fabric storage boxes today.
