Introduction: Crafty Mii: Create a Shoebox Storage Kit for Your Wii!
I loved my Wii, but I could not transport the large box the Wii came in all across the country when I went to college. I can't sew, so I could not put together a carrying bag. So, I have made a simple shoebox kit that stores the Wii console. You can make as many as you like to also store accessories.
A Wii needs protection from dust and accidental damage while it is not in use. These steps require no special ability or level of skill. The average completion time is 1 hour and 10 minutes, which includes the 45 minutes it took for the fabric glue to dry (it takes a whole day to become permanently stuck). Make a Wii Shoebox Storage Kit that reflects your video game personality!
(Being a Sonic the Hedgehog fan not required)
Step 1: Gather Supplies
Time to find your inner mii!
The required supplies are:
-shoebox that is large enough to hold an 8 X 6 X 1.5" Wii
-fabric
-fabric glue
-fabric scissors
-ruler
-paper
-spare cardboard
-tape
-stapler andstaples
-pencil
Supplies that add decoration are:
-ribbon
-colored or patterned paper
-T-shirt with a picture of your favorite video game character
Note: The fabric scissors are rather sharp, so young children should not handle them.
Step 2: Measure Cardboard and Cut
Make mii durable!
2A. Measure the dimensions of your shoebox with a ruler.
2B. Measure how much space a Wii that is approximately 8 X 6X 1.5" will take up in your shoebox.
2C.Take the cardboard scraps and measure the length of the rectangular scraps so that they can partition the box into a section that will hold the Wii.
Note: Cardboard that can stand up 1.5" or slightly taller is ideal because that is how high the side of the Wii will be when laying down horizontally.
Step 3: Place Cardboard Partitions
Make mii fit!
3A. Place your Wii in the box first and hold the cardboard partition around it. This ensures that the space will not be too small for your Wii to fit.
Note: Do not make it a perfect fit, because fabric will be placed over the cardboard.
3B. Once you have determined that the size of the space is good, take out the Wii and use tape to keep the cardboard partitions in place.
Step 4: Measure Fabric and Cut
Make mii feel comfortable!
Cut a rectangle of fabric that is approximately 8 X10" that will cover the open space--the space inside the box that will hold the Wii.
Note: The fabric size does not need to be exact, but enough for the fabric to cover the inside of the Wii space of the box (including the partitions) when inserted.
Step 5: Cover the Dead Space of the Box
Keep mii secure!
The space that surrounds the section where the Wii will be laid is the dead space--no items will be kept there. Fold fabric scraps and place them folded-side up in the spaces behind partitions where there will not be room to place an object.
Step 6: Cover the Open Space of the Box
Make mii a soft bed!
The space that will hold items is called the open space. Fold the fabric for the open space--the 8X10" rectangle cut in step 3--over the cardboard partitions in the box.
Note: It is best to smooth out the wrinkles with your hand. Do not glue the fabric to the cardboard partitions. Instead, glue the fabric of the open space to the fabric of the dead space where they touch. I also recommend covering the inside of the lid with fabric. The glue will take about 45 minutes to dry.
Step 7: Make the SD Card Holder
Organize mii!
While waiting for the glue to dry, cut out rectangular pieces of paper that have strips attached to them to hold SD cards.
7A. Measure 4 rectangles 3 X 2" on paper and cut them out.
7B. Cut out 4 strips of paper or fabric that are long enough across to hold an SD card to the paper.
7C. Put the SD card in its case on top of the strip and mark the strip on both sides, making the distance between marks slightly longer across than the length of the SD card case.
7D. Take the SD card in the case off of the paper and staple the strip to the paper. Do this for all 4 of the 3 X 2" rectangles.
7E. Glue the 4 rectangle pieces to another piece of paper that will keep them together.
Note: The paper I glued my 4 rectangles to was 10.5 X 7."
Step 8: Decorate
Personalize mii!
Decorate the parts that do not interfere with the parts that are drying. Cover any surface of the box still showing with patterned paper or patterned fabric.
Note: I cut out pictures from T-shirts and glued them to the lids of the boxes I made.
Step 9: Prepare a Ribbon
Hold mii together!
Cut a strand of ribbon or a strand of fabric.
Note: The ribbon (or long strand of fabric) will be tied around the box to keep the box closed. You can experiment with the length of the ribbon or fabric strand and decide if you want to tie it in a bow or a simple knot.
Step 10: Yay for Mii!
Take mii somewhere!
Congratulations! You have finished the project and now your Wii has a safe environment to live in when it is not sitting next to your TV.
Remember: It takes 24 hours for the glue to permanently settle, so do not put your Wii in the box until after 24 hours.
The paper SD card holder will fit in the box above the Wii. There is often room for a Wii game in a case. Some people prefer to store their Wiis upright, in which case the shoebox can be stored on its side.
