Introduction: Folding Sewing Box - for Beginners
This project could be as easy or as complicated as you want. It really suits all ability levels. I'm a beginner without a table saw, router, or the ability to do flashy joints, so the version pictured is very much a beginners' version.
The good news for beginners is that it's a fairly forgiving project. You're essentially making five open topped boxes, so it's nothing but right angles, and any minor corrections can be made along the way.
Step 1: Starters
(all measurements in MILLIMETRES)
I used a board 13mm thick so...
For bottom drawer
i. Base 300 x 150
ii. Ends 150 x 100 (x2)
iii. Front and back 300 x 113 (x2)
This makes the bottom drawer quite tall. You may want to reduce the height a bit.
For other drawers
i. Base 150 x 150 (x4)
ii. Ends 150 x 50 (x8)
iii. Fronts and backs 150 x 63 (x8)
For tops
176 x 150 (x2)
You'll also need knobs for the top (x2), handles for the sides, and 12 support arms.
Beginner tip (alternatively, Learn from my mistakes) -
Depending on what finish you've decided on, and what wood you've chosen, you might want to be careful to ensure the grain is going the same way on all pieces. My wife decided she wanted it painted, so it wasn't really an issue, but for more prominent grains and varnished finishes, it certainly would be.
Step 2: Bottom Drawer
I've chosen to put the boxes together this way for two reasons. Because of a lack of advanced tools and ability, and because I didn't want any nails or screws showing. Mainly the ability thing, though.
So the end pieces are glued, and nailed from underneath. You might want to drill guide holes first to avoid splitting, if you have a drill bit small enough. The front and back are then glued into place.
Step 3: Drawers
Just repeat the process - nail from underneath and glue everywhere else.
Step 4: Starting the Finish
This is where you stack it all together and find where it isn't true. And then you start sanding.
Once you're happy with it, time to apply the finish. For this one, my wife chose cream paint.
Step 5: Assembling Side Supports
Each side of each set of drawers needs three diagonal supports enabling the drawers to be folded in and out.
Math is where it usually falls apart for me. So this bit's great fun, as you can imagine.
The 'outside' arms are the same length (supporting two drawers each), the central one longer (supporting all three). The measurements in the picture refer only to the drill points. The arms themselves should be several millimetres longer.
I painted the arms brown to contrast with the cream of the boxes. When I sanded the first coat, they had a worn, vintage look that I liked so I left them like that.
Assemble as per plan. This is extremely screwupable (technical term), so concentrate while you do this in a distraction-free environment. Perhaps put washers between the arms and the boxes.
Then add the end handles.
Step 6: Bonus Stage
You might be thinking about a handle, and most examples I've seen of a sewing box do have a handle extending up from the bottom drawer, over the top and down to the other side of the bottom drawer.
Yeah, about that... I'm a bit concerned that the wood used here is a bit soft. Plus I'm going to have to fabricate a handle myself. Something I don't fancy at all. The box is big enough without giving it even more height. Plus I think it hinders access to the bottom drawer.
So instead it's going to be a two-hand lift. Slightly less convenient, but never mind. And for that purpose, I'm adding feet under the corners so you can slide fingers underneath.
Then it's just adding the hinges and handles and knobs and it's ready.
35 Comments
Question 1 year ago on Introduction
Recently I have found that I own a very nice 3 tiered folding sewing box. I tried to utilize it for the storage of scribes, picks, tiny screwdrivers, blades, scales, calipers, lasers, lenses, prisms, and pointy things that I use to investigate the world around me. (I am over 70 and comfortably retired). It served that purpose well until I filled it up and needed more room (I am a packrat by nature).
This brought my fevered mind to examine the feasibility of purchasing or constructing a similar box with more than 3 levels.
This thought, of course, led me to seek one online.
It came as a huge surprise that there are none to be found.
FINALLY: My question is "Is their an engineering problem in making a four or five tiered folding sewing box that escapes my decrepit, decaying mind?
Question 3 years ago
I have a sewing case that I want to makeover, what kind of nails did you use for the box and could I get this at any home improvement store?
Thank you.
Answer 2 years ago
By the looks of the pic, those are some kind of rivet already in there. You might have to drill them out and use screws in their place. Your local home improvement store should have everything you need, maybe even some additional advice.
3 years ago
What kind of screws do you use on the support arms? Another person asked but if I understood it right it was just nails? Sorry can't figure out how you'd keep the arms from coming off or getting loose without some sort of bolts and then those would show inside right?
8 years ago
I'm thinking of making one of this on big scale... Like to put my clothes in. What do you think?
Reply 3 years ago
If you do might think about support. Maybe putting on some kind of leg that comes out when you open that away it doesn't fall to one side or break.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
That sounds like a good idea, will have to test at some point in the near future.
Thanks for the idea.
8 years ago on Introduction
This is rad!
8 years ago
That is so nice! I'm sure ur wife will love it, as a sewer myself I know I would!!
8 years ago on Step 6
Very cool project, I may just have to make one.
As for a carry handle, I'd go with a belt or a strap with a quick detach: doesn't add to the height, doesn't get in the way, isn't hard to fabricate. Rivet the strap to the bottom and make small guide channels in the top drawers to keep the box from slipping out of the loop and tipping over while carrying. :-)
Reply 8 years ago
I was thinking something like leather would look really nice, webbing would work extremely well as well!!
8 years ago on Step 6
this is awesome! This can be used for any storage needs. I thing you should visit www.ana-white.com and post it on her site. She and others like yourself build awesome stuff. Check it out!
Reply 8 years ago
I second that idea!!
8 years ago on Introduction
What did you use to connect the support arms to the box?
8 years ago
Brilliant idea so quick and easy to make. I have sold 1 for £300 made out of oak and mahogany
8 years ago on Introduction
Awesome! Brilliant! I love it. I think your instructable is what so many use to be, but now they seem to want you to have so many 'specialized' equipment's. Wielders, band saws, routers, 3d printers, etc. Yes, I know most have a router anymore, but it use to be about making things with the basics and your intructable is so much in that spirit and offers the functionality of being able to be used for so many things. I applaud you and hope that you continue in this spirit! To many times I look at one that I think can be helpful only to find out I need some overly priced peice of equipment that I cannot afford or do not have room for... past that your instructable is informative, knowledgeable, and written superbly imho! Thank you!
Reply 8 years ago
Thank you for your very kind comment. More projects in the same spirit on the way!
8 years ago on Step 6
hi , how about screw , may you explain more about . tanx
Reply 8 years ago
I didn't use any screws, although I suppose you could. There are simply a couple of nails through the undersides where able, and glue elsewhere.
8 years ago on Introduction
Nice, I think this will make a great box for router bits. Just drill some holes 3/4 way through the box bottoms.