fabric covered boxes

So I always have diaper boxes lying around that I just can't bring myself to throw away! They are super sturdy and perfect size so I made these fabric covered boxes out of them. They are perfect for storage!

This polka dot one was actually made out of one of our moving boxes soon after we moved.. But was pretty much free because I already had the supplies. I made this one with a handle to be able to slide it out, but it was kind of complicated so the next few I did I didn't do handles. On the handle one I had to figure out to hide the raw edge of fabric so I twisted a strip and glued it around to try to hide it. I turned out ok.. it was just kind of a pain so the others are easier!

first you will need:

Boxes

fabric( I use 2 different patterns)

scissors

measure tape

fabric glue(I use fabri-tac) or hot glue

sewing machine(optional)

iron(optional)

1. Measure from the bottom to top of your box then cut your outside fabric with enough around the outside to reach the top of your box when held up. Cut a small square out of each corner then make a diagonal slit to the corner of your box like so:

2. Start gluing your fabric to your sides then glue your tabs around the corners. I start by gluing my longer sides first so it will end up even.

3. Next glue the tabs on your shorter sides onto the fabric first then glue it to the side of your box. This way you will have no rough edges of your fabric showing and it will look like you bought it!

Your finished outside cover should look like this: Nice and neat!

Now, there are 2 different ways you could make your liner. I made mine using a sewing machine and it was super simple, but if you don't have a machine or don't want to use one you could use an iron and glue...

4.(sewing version) Measure your sides width and height then add 1/2 inch for seam allowance. I added about 3 inches to my height so I have extra to pull over the top so the liner shows on the outside. Cut a strip long enough to go all the way around the inside using your measurements (I actually cut 2 strips and sewed them together to make one)sew it together on one of your short sides to make kind of a loop-make sense?. Measure the bottom of your box and also add seam allowance and cut a piece for that. Right sides together, pin your bottom piece to your sides piece then sew all the way around(it should line up if you meaured and cut correctly). Now just hem up your raw edge and you are done sewing. Put a line of glue all the way around the bottom of box and glue the wrong side of your fabric to it (so your design will be showing once glued). Stretch it up and over the top and do a line of glue all the way around your hemmed edge and glue to outside of box. You are done! It should look like picture below:


5.(no-sew version) Measure and cut lining fabric same as sewing version. Glue bottom piece to inside of box. Iron all raw edges on side piece then securely glue all edges to inside of box. Stretch up and over edge to show on outside. Put a line of glue around edge and press firmly to stay. You are done! It should also look similar to picture, just without stitching.

These boxes are so simple and could be made with any fabric for any room in the house! It would be perfect for kids room or craft room or even in a closet! You could also add rosettes like I did on the green polka dot one, you could add ribbon around, or you could add vinyl or paint to decorate it.

Here is what I did with mine. I am storing my costco supplies that I need close but not quite yet :)

Happy Crafting!

Sunshine plushie

Don't you just hate how expensive kids toys are and how quickly they grow out of them? My 4 month old is always chewing and playing with her binkie ribbon so I made this little taggie, crinkly, plushie stuffed toy for her. She already loves it with all the ribbons she can pull on. It would also be cute to do a boy version with boy colors!

Supplies:

ribbon (all different colors, textures, and lengths)

Minkie fabric

stuffing fibers

needle and thread/embroidery thread

plastic bag for making it "crinkly" (how would you spell that?)

sewing machine

1. Cut out 2 ovals of your fabric then cut your ribbon all different lengths

2. Fold your ribbon in half and pin onto oval with folded ends facing in toward the center on right side of fabric (that way when you sew your front and back pieces together the tags will be hanging out...)

3. Sew along the edge to secure your ribbon.

4. Hand sew a face on the front with your embroidery thread (you could trace one then sew along your lines...) I wanted mine to have eyelashes to make it more girly, but you could comeup with whatever face you would like!

5. Cut a piece of plastic as big as your oval. Sew on the back of the front of your sun... Make sense? That way it will end up on the inside of your plushie... Now sew your back and front with right sides together. Make sure to leave a portion of it unsewn so you can flip it inside out and stuff it...

6. Flip it so your right sides are now out and stuff with your filling. Then pin your unsewn hole so you can hand sew it shut.

7. Hand sew with same color thread. Minkie fabric will hide your thread well so it doesn't look hand sewn. And you are done!

Now you have a fun little plushie for your little one!

Happy crafting!

T-shirt redo

I had this plain t-shirt and wanted something new. I gathered a few old shirts that don't fit to use them for something useful... I came up with this...

I cut up 3 different shirts into different sized circles then started pinning where I wanted them.

I came up with this and was ready to sew.

I used the zig-zag setting on my sewing machine to attach the circles to the shirt. I wanted it to kind of look messy and random and I achieved it by adding x's to a few of the circles. I also used my back step button to sew over it about 3 times on each circle. You can see that I added a bit of elastic on the sleeves to gather it around the top then added trim around the sleeves to add a little something( But it would also be cute plain..)

I tried the shirt on and realized why I never wore it... It's a bit low and I need a tank top under. Tank tops are annoying to me and get too hot so I decided to cut the front of one of the shirts I cut up to attach it to the actual shirt so it "appeared" as though I were wearing an undershirt... It made it more comfortable.

I then pinned and sewed the "undershirt" onto the shirt. I wanted to hide the stitching so I added the same trim that I had put on my sleeves around the neckline. I like the way it looks with the trim better....

Here in this picture you can see the gathered sleeves...

So an old shirt turned new and exciting. Now I have the rest of those cut up shirts for another project (you always want to save scraps! You never know when they will come in handy!!!)

Instead of donating old clothes why not try to spruce them up for a cheap new outfit?

Happy crafting!