This pretty box is both useful and eco-friendly! You recycle a cardboard teabag box by covering it with a pretty fabric and create a very handy, inexpensive and quick to make gift. All the little nicknacks making a mess on your coffee table or work table can be put away for easy retrieval and Voila! your workspace is tidy.

Step 1: What You Need

An empty teabag box, scissors, fabric (about 25cm by 50cm), Modge Podge, pen or pencil, paintbrush, sewing needle and thread or sewing machine.

Step 2: Measure Fabric for Lid

Lay the open box on top of the fabric and measure a piece long enough to go from the base of the box, fold over the top edge of the lid, and then come down over the inside of the lid and down to inside of the box under the lid. Cut to size leaving a 5mm seam allowance on each side of the fabric.

Step 3: Sew the Fabric for the Lid

Sew the two sides of the fabric for the lid, using a sewing machine or hand stitching. Make sure you curve the seam at the top of the lid on each side as shown. End the seam at the place where the lid folds.

Step 4:

Cut pieces for the three other sides of the box. The two side pieces must be a bit wider than the width of the box, and must be big enough to tuck under the base of the box and into the inside of the box. Paint some Modge Podge onto one side then place a fabric piece over this nice and straight and with enough of the piece sticking out above, below and on each side. Paint more Modge Podge onto the remaining fabric and stick to the inside, sides and bottom of box. Do the same for the other side and front of the box.

Step 5: Lid and Inside

Pull the sleeve you stitched for the lid over the box-lid, being careful to put the seam allowance completely towards the inside of the box. Glue the ends of the sleeve to the box inside and outside using Modge Podge.

If desired, you can glue more fabric to the inside of the box so that all bare cardboard is covered in fabric.