Looking for a pretty way to organize? Or perhaps you want a knockout gift box? Well, look no further than these fabric covered boxes. They’re simple to make, don’t require any sewing, and turn a plain cardboard box into a gorgeous container.
1. Take any sized cardboard box you desire. Cut the top flaps off for an open storage container.
2. Iron the fabric. You’ll need a piece of fabric large enough to cover your entire box. It’s sort of like judging how much wrapping paper you’ll need for a gift. My method is to roll the box across the paper or fabric to make sure it fits properly.
3. We’ll be using Mod Podge to glue our fabric to the box. You can find Mod Podge at any craft store.
4. Put glue on the bottom of the box and one of the longer sides (inside and outside). If your box is perfectly square, just pick any side to start.
5. Pull your piece of fabric up tightly and smooth out any wrinkles. It’s helpful to use a clip to secure the fabric to the box while it dries.
6. Repeat the process with the opposite side. Now you’ll have two finished sides and two unfinished.
7. We’re going to treat this end just like wrapping a present. Fold in the extra fabric to create a smooth end. Put glue on the outside end of the box and press fabric securely.
8. You’ll now have a smooth end with a bunch of unsecured fabric.
9. Cut away some of the extra fabric so that the fold will lay flat (and so you don’t waste extra fabric). Make sure that you only cut away a bit of the part on the inside of the box. You don’t want to cut the part that will be visible when you fold it over.
10. Once you have cut away a bit of the fabric, put glue on the inside panel and secure the fabric. Repeat this process with the other end.
11. Trace around the box. Cut this piece out (it will become the bottom panel of the box).
12. Use your iron to fold and press along the lines. Then go back and glue those edges down.
13. Here’s the bottom panel. Put glue on the inside, bottom of the box and press and secure this panel on the bottom.
Transformation complete! You’ve turned a plain box into a beautiful container. People will be shocked to find out that this started as a piece of cardboard and length of fabric.
If you have any questions, leave a comment. Thanks!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
thanks for sharing, I have a link to your tutorial on Craft Connection
http://craft-connection.blogspot.com/2012/03/fabric-covered-boxes.html?utm_source=BP_recent
That’s awesome – thanks!
Do you think a satin type fabric would work for this, or would the glue show through? I’m thinking about a card box for my wedding. Thanks!
Thanks for the question, Colleen! I tested out a piece of silk dupioni (which is a satiny fabric) and it didn’t turn out very well. Since satiny fabrics are so thin, the glue darkened the fabric and it stayed obviously darkened after it had dried. There are fabric spray adhesives and fabric tapes which might work, but unfortunately I don’t have any to do a test with right now. Well, I hope this info helps a bit and let me know if you have any other questions.
Thank for clear and concise directions . . . can’t wait to try it . . . headed to my sewing room right now!!
Yay! Have fun!
Do you have printer-friendly instructions or pdf format?
Sorry, Sandy, I don’t have a pdf format. Perhaps copying and pasting into a document will make it easier to print?
{ 3 trackbacks }