Introduction: Foldable Fabric Storage Cube
Here's how to make a foldable storage cube from fabric and cardboard. I needed more storage containers for my fabric and craft supplies, however instead of buying more, I thought I could make my own for much cheaper.
I hope you enjoy this instructable!
Supplies
- Cardboard
- Fabric
- Ribbon (optional for handles)
- Binding
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Hot Glue Gun
- Iron
- Something to cut the cardboard
- Fabric Pen or Pencil
- Ruler or Measuring Tape
- Sewing Pins
Step 1: Cutting the Cardboard
Choose what size storage cube you would like to make. In the pictures I made a 9 x 9 inch cube.
Cut five squares of card board all the same size.
Choose three of the pieces to be the front, back, and bottom, place these aside. Take your two remaining pieces these will be the sides that fold. To do this cut each of the sides in half.
You now have seven pieces of cardboard.
Front, back, and bottom are each 9" x 9" inches
Sides are 9" x 4 1/2 inches
Step 2: Measuring and Cutting the Fabric
Lay out and Iron your fabric.
Using the pieces of cardboard as a guide, place a cardboard square on the fabric and trace around it. Next using a ruler or measuring tape trace a 1/2 inch seam allowance on 4 sides of the square. Cut 6 pieces of outside fabric and 5pieces of liner fabric. Theses will be for the front, back, bottom, and support insert.
Step 3: Sewing the Front and Back
Start with the handle. I chose a 6 1/2 inch piece of ribbon for the handle. Roll the ends of the ribbon under or hem them to create a finished look. Keep in mind the extra seam allowance on the edges of the fabric, this will affect the position of the handle. Next pin the ribbon on to the fabric and sew.
With wrong sides together sew together the liner and outside fabric, stitch around 3 edges of the fabric with a 3/8 seam allowance. This will allow room for the thickness of the cardboard. Leave the top edge open.
Step 4: Sewing the Sides
Like the front and back, stitch three edges of the liner and the outside fabric together with the wrong sides together.
Using a ruler or measuring tape find the center of the fabric and draw a vertical line through the middle of the fabric. Sew along this line.
Step 5: Assembling the Fabric Shell
Sew the 4 sides together, matching up the existing seams. The raw edges should be to the inside.
Take one of the remaining outside fabric squares. Pin and sew on the inside of the 4 existing sides of the cube.
You should now have a flimsy fabric cube, insert the card board shims into the fabric sleeves.
Step 6: Sewing the Bottom Insert
Take the last two pieces of fabric and stitch along three of the edges with the RIGHT sides together. Turn sleeve right side out.
Take a two inch piece of ribbon and fold it in half stitch along the end, you now have a loop of ribbon.
Insert the last piece of cardboard into the sleeve. Pin the loop of ribbon in the center of the opening. Sew the opening closed with the loop of ribbon in the center.
Step 7: Finish With Binding
You can buy binding or you can make your own by cutting 2 inch strips of fabric, then iron and crease the strips.
Start on the vertical side seams, fold the binding around the raw edges on the inside of the cube. Stitch along the edge of the binding. Cover all of the raw edges on the side seams. Then cover the seams that attach the bottom fabric to the sides.
Step 8: Binding
Insert the cardboard in to the fabric sleeves. Using two inch binding, hot glue or sew the binding onto the top edge of the cube.
Step 9: Finishing Touches
Insert the bottom shim into the cube and it's ready to use.
Thank you for reading my decluttering Instructable!