INFORM-ME

Fabric Covered Boxes For Storage And Decorationby Colleen Moulding* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Cardboard boxes covered with pretty fabrics can be anattractive addition to many rooms. They can store hair accessoriesand brushes in the bathroom, underwear, scarves or make-up in the bedroom,writing materials, knitting, crafts or remote controls in the livingroom and just about anything in kid's and teens bedrooms.They are very easy to make from boxes that would otherwisebe thrown away and oddments of leftover fabric.Instructions given are for a standard oblong shoe box but canbe adapted for any shape or size.You will need:1 shoe box and lidApproximately 1 metre, 11/4 yard of fabricSpray adhesive1). Take a measurement all the way around the box plus 2.5cm/1"and measure the depth of the box plus 2.5cm/1". Make a paperpattern of the rectangle, then pin it on to your fabric and cut out.Measure the bottom of the box and cut a rectangle of fabric slightlysmaller all the way round than this measurement.2). Beginning with one of the long sides, spray the box with theadhesive and smooth the longer rectangle of fabric on to the box,leaving a little at the top and base to turn over neatly later.Move around the sides of the box, spraying and smoothing oneside at a time. When you reach the end, fold the cut edge underso that it fits the box exactly, use a little adhesive to stick it to itself,then stick it to the box using the spray adhesive.3). Neaten the top edge by sticking the fabric to the inside of thebox. Turn the box over and glue down the long edges then fold thecorners into mitres and glue to the box. Take the smaller rectangleof fabric and stick this on to the base with the spray.4). Cut the fabric for the lid. If you want a padded lid cut a pieceof wadding/batting the same size as the top of the lid and stickthis on first. Then take measurements of thelength and width of the lid over the padding, including the sidesand not forgetting to add 2.5cm/1" to each measurement.Make a paper pattern, then cut your fabric. Spray the paddingor the top of the lid with adhesive and smooth on your fabric.Stick down the long sides first, then fold in the fabric at the cornersand stick down the short sides. Finish off by gluing down the extrafabric to the inside of the lid.5). If you would like to line the inside of the box you could measureand glue fabric in the same way that the outside was coveredor you could cut pieces of cardboard to fit exactly, pad with a littlewadding/batting, cover with fabric and spray glue into place.Have fun with matching and co-ordinating fabrics or use similartechniques with wallpaper or gift wrap instead of fabric.Once you get started every shoe box that comes into your homewill be an opportunity to be creative and make pretty, practicalstorage that will help eliminate clutter and bring order to closetsand shelves in any room of the home.Copyright 2001Colleen MouldingAbout the author:Colleen Moulding is a freelance writer from Englandwhere she has had many features on parenting, childcare, play, travel,entertaining and the Internet published in national newspapers andmagazines. She has also published a variety of women's and children'sfiction.Her work frequently appears at many sites on the Internet and at her ownsite for women All That Women Want.com a magazine, web guide andresource for women everywhere. Why not drop by?It was made for you!http://www.allthatwomenwant.comSubscribe to the free monthly e-zineby sending a blank e-mail to:allthatwomenwant-subscribe@yahoogroups.com[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]