#9 Homeward Bound—Fabric Covered Boxes

#9 Homeward Bound—Fabric Covered Boxes

At age 13 something magical happened in my life—I discovered the wonder, awe and delight of organizing my bedroom. The added bonus was living in the space. Within an hour my room was transformed from chaos to perfection. 

My enchantment with order hasn’t diminished since then, even after marrying a semi-hoarder whose possessions are drawn to horizontal surfaces like metal to magnets. 

I adore baskets, boxes, bins, tins, and all kinds of containers that corral things. It’s one of the side effects of being an organization connoisseur and addict. Honestly, boxes are intoxicating. I think inside the box, even when thinking outside of one! 

Today I’ll share a fun way to dress up an ordinary cardboard box for pretty and fancy organization because half the fun of organizing is to pretty-up a space, not just stack things neatly.

There are zillions of ways to cover a box with fabric, and I’ve used several methods. This is just one of them. When you create your own pretty box, adjust things to fit your personality, lifestyle and needs.

You’ll need:

A box, fabric, hot glue and hot glue gun, scissors, craft sticks,  optional items such as a measuring tape, sewing machine, iron, trim, etc.

Box:

Make sure it’s sturdy, the bottom won’t fall out, the sides aren’t breaking down, and that it fits the items you want it to hold and especially, it fits the space where you’re planning to use it. 

Fabric:

Any fabric will do as long as it’s not so thin the color of the box or any printing on it shows through. The fabrics I used in this tutorial include a happy flower-printed upholstery fabric and a medium weight canvas. But really, any type of fabric can be used. If printing on the box shows through your fabric you can either add a layer or two of white muslin behind the fabric, or glue white paper onto the box. I’ve done both, but it’s important to make sure the under fabric or paper is secure to the box so the decorative fabric stays in place.

Hot glue & glue gun

I was surprised how much glue I used on three boxes. The upside was learning how to use less glue and still keep the fabric secure. A bonus to that is less glue also means smaller glue bulges and a prettier finished product. Stock up on glue anyway.

Craft sticks

These aren’t a must-have if you already have a good substitute. Just make sure you have something to help you apply pressure to the fabric so you don’t burn your fingers. Hot glue is hot! It can squeeze out around the edges when least expected. I’ve used pencils or strips of heavy cardboard cut from box flaps. Whatever you chose to use, have it handy when you start.

Scissors

To cut fabric, and possibly a second pair for paper or cardboard and other materials.

Measuring tape

To measure fabric and other materials. (A square might also come in handy as you cut fabric.)

***Optional

Paper, sewing machine, thread, trim, etc. I made a little handle to trim my box just for looks, but I rarely use it and just tug on the box. I turned the edges of the fabric under and topstitched just for looks. Choose how you want your finished box to look before you start.

Step 1: 

Choose your box and fabric.

Step 2:

This step may not be necessary unless you need to cover the box with light weight fabric or paper if the printing shows through. I used a heavy weight paper over the ends to strengthen and mask the cut out handles. I trimmed the paper so the decorative fabric would be glued directly to the box and not the paper. I tacked the paper down with a thin line of glue in a few places to hold it secure.

Step 3:

Measure and cut fabric to cover the ends of your box, making sure you have an overhang on all edges. (You'll need 2 pieces of fabric, one for each end.) An easy formula is to measure the outside end and double it (so it covers the outside and inside), and then add 3-inches to all of the sides (which gives you a 1 1/2" overhang on all edges).

Step 4: 

Place the box squarely on the wrong side of the fabric, making sure the top end will be up when glued in place—if there is a top end to your fabric. (If you’re making more than 1 box and have a pattern you want to match, make sure you cut the pieces all the same and lay them all out the same.) 

Run a thin line of glue on the bottom of the box. Line the box up square to the fabric with only 1” of fabric under the box. Press the box firmly onto the fabric and hold until the glue cools. 

(Don’t use any glue on the outside front of the box. No matter how thin you apply it, the glue will bulge and you’ll see it beneath the fabric. All of the glue should be on the bottom, sides and inside the box. In the above photo my finger is pointing to where the fabric will fold at the top of the box.)

Step 5:

Once the bottom is securely glued in place, pull the fabric up and into the box. Make sure it’s square, flat, and snug on the front of the box. 

Apply glue to the inside top edge of the box, about ½” from the top. Pull the fabric taut up and over the edge, keeping it square. Make sure there are no bulges or tucks in it. Press into the glue. Hold until the glue cools and the fabric is secure. 

Step 6:

Turn to the front of the box and glue the side edges to the side of the box.

First, pull the fabric on one side taut so it lays flat without warps or bulging. Make sure it’s square. 

Next, run a thin line of glue ¼” in from the edge of the box.

Press the fabric into the glue and hold it in place, pressing firmly, until it cools. 

Repeat on the other side—running the line of glue—but this time pulling the fabric taut so it almost seems like spray adhesive was used. 

Once the outer sides of the front are tacked in place you can glue the fabric in place inside the box.

Run a thin line of glue on the inside near the bottom front part of the box and hold the fabric in place until it cools. 

Next, glue the fabric to the bottom of the box to secure it, making sure you push the fabric tightly into the corner to make the sides and bottom lay at right angles.

Finally, glue the inside sides of the fabric in place, being careful that the top edge is straight without tucks, bulges or pleats in the fabric. Work from the top down to the bottom. 

Step 7:

Turn the box over and snip out a V in the bottom corners to remove excess fabric. The bottom corners will be covered in fabric later so the goal is to remove bulk. 

Apply the least amount of glue possible to hold the fabric in place. Press the fabric firmly against the box until the glue cools. Here’s where a craft stick will save your fingers! 

Step 8:

The fabric on this end of the box should now be snug and secure inside and out. You’re now ready to repeat the process on the other end of the box.

Step 9:

To make a cute little handle like this one for the front of the box cut a 3” strip of fabric about 4-5 inches longer than the width of the front. 

Fold both raw edges toward the center, then fold in half. Topstitch along the edges. A handle is purely optional. 

Another option is to make the folds, iron them flat, and run a thin bead of hot glue inside the fold to hold it in place. Press together until it cools. If you choose this method make sure you use only a thin line of glue so the handle doesn’t have bulges and will wrap smoothly around the front corners and lay flat. 

If you plan to put the box where both ends are visible you’ll want to attach handles on each end. This handle is decorative, but can also stand up to use.

Measure where you want the handle placed, marking the sides.

Firmly glue the handle to the first side, making sure only a tiny dot of glue is on the side near the front edge. (You don’t want excess glue squeezing out to the front, if possible.)

Secure the extra length with more glue, pressing the handle as flat as possible to lessen the bulge when the ends are covered with fabric. 

Next, glue the other edge, this time pulling the handle taut and securing the same way. If you're making more than one box be sure to line up the handles.

Step 10:

With both ends of the box completely finished, it’s time to cover the sides.

Measure and cut the outside/inside fabric. This will be one piece of fabric.

Width: The width goes from side to side and is cut 1” wider than the box. This allows you to fold the raw edge under ½-inch on each side and topstitch the edges. 

Length: The length includes four measurements which are: the bottom on the box, both outsides of the box, both insides of the box, and an additional 3 inches to allow 1 ½” inside the box on the bottom on each side. It might sound crazy and confusing, but the photos will help you make sense of all those measurements!

Step 11:

I actually did all my measuring, cutting and sewing before I plugged in my hot glue gun. This shows the handles and edges finished with topstitching and ready to go on 3 boxes.

 Step 12:

Mark the center of your box and the center of the fabric on both ends. Square your box on all 4 marks. 

Next, on each end mark the wrong side of the fabric at the point where it will fold to go up the side of the box.This will show you where to glue.

Keeping the box square on the fabric, run a thin line of glue on the wrong side of the fabric (where the bottom of the box will sit, but not up the sides). 

Press the box bottom firmly onto the fabric (making sure the fabric is pulled taut); hold until cool and secure. Repeat on the other side. (Don't glue the sides until both bottom ends are glued.)

Step 13:

With the bottom fabric glued in place on the ends, it’s time to cover the sides. Mark on the wrong side of the fabric where the fabric will fold over the top of the box and fold toward the inside. This mark will show you how far along the edge of the fabric you’ll run your next line of glue. 

Quickly run a thin line of glue up each side of the fabric, stopping at the mark where it will fold. 

Quickly pull the fabric up so it’s taut, and press firmly into place to secure, pulling it to the edges and keeping it square. 

Two important things to keep in mind as you glue this: 

• Make sure the fabric is square before you begin so it lays flat and smooth, and keep it square. 
• Run the line of glue far enough away from the fabric edge so the excess won’t squeeze out then it’s pressed in place. 

It takes a few seconds for the glue to cool and harden, allowing you time to inspect the edge for puckers. If you need to make minor adjustments you can. After it cools and hardens you can add hot glue to the end of a toothpick to glue tiny pockets that need gluing.

Repeat, gluing the other outside end in place. 

Step 14:

At this point the outside of the box is finished and it’s time to complete the inside. 

Run a thin line of hot glue along the inside top edge of the box about ½” – 1” from the top. Fold the fabric inside and pull taut downward and side to side. Press the fabric in place until the glue cools. 

Next, glue the side edges in place, working your way down from the top. 

Secure the fabric to the bottom in two places. First, on the upright side close to the bottom, and second, on the bottom. Press the fabric into the angles to create a flat bottom. I found it necessary to snip out excess fabric from the inside corners when using heavier fabric.

Step 15:

With the ends, sides, and bottom finished, there is only one more step—finishing off the inside bottom. There are many ways to do this, but for these boxes I chose to cut pieces of super heavy poster board to size and then glues them in place. This covered all the raw edges so no loose threads would attach to items placed in the box.

In other boxes I’ve used fabric-covered cardboard. Cut the cardboard slightly smaller than the inside measurement to allow for the added width of fabric wrapping around the edges. I discovered it’s good to place the cardboard inside the box before you cover it to double check the fit.

 

Last Step! 

You know this one: fill your gorgeous box as desired and place where you’ll use and enjoy it!

 

A few thoughts about fabric boxes:

These boxes are open, so I covered the inside 100%, which might not always be necessary, depending on how you use yours.

I’ve made other boxes with fabric inside and out, but used a less expensive fabric where it wouldn’t be seen. 

I love fabric inside so things don’t snag on the edges and pull the fabric loose, and so threads don't come up with things I pull out. 

These are a pretty way to hold small items in place. 

Enjoy!

  ***PS

These are fabric covered cardboard boxes and although they should last for years, they are NOT the best way to store kid’s toys because of how much use (and abuse) they'll get in everyday wear and tear. If you choose to cover boxes for children’s use, use the sturdiest boxes possible. I have a fabric-covered diaper box still in use after 5 years that holds kid’s shoes and boots—so if you have a diaper box, use it if possible. That old box looks battered and worn, but still works great.