Fabric covered toy box…

September 28, 2009 21 Comments by Kirsty

& as an added bonus the fabric is totally reusable.

We’re all about the new house at the moment. The kids are so excited about their new rooms.

The smallest needed a toy box to store her super favourite things & so we set about covering an old Australia Post box. This is a great project to tackle with kids as they can handle much of it alone & therefore really feel as if they’ve made it themselves. I thought you might enjoy a “how to” for a bit of rainy holiday fun.

Select your fabric & trim the box up. You need to keep the “lid” of the box as this will become the base.

Position your box so that the fabric folds up the sides & down the inside of the box (just reaching the base of the box on all sides). Cut to size.
Tip: we used a single doona/duvet cover & it was the perfect width for the standard Australia Post mailer, so we only needed to cut a bit off the length.

Spray both the fabric & the box with spray adhesive.

Smooth all the sides flat & secure with pegs. Once you’ve done that you can manipulate the corner fabric so that it gathers nicely. Once you’re happy with the placement just masking tape the fabric down to secure.

Now just cover the base piece of the box (formerly the lid trimmed to fit) with a contrasting fabric & push it into the bottom of the box.

I say that this is temporary but I made one of these for the big girl 8 years ago & it’s still going strong!

I love her treasure selections…owl by me, crochet granny square blanket by a family friend, peg bear by One Red Robin, knitted ballerina by Aunty Pat & the pink softie is Loobylu’s project from Meet Me at Mikes The Book.

21 Comments

Steph
860 days ago

I have 2 boxes I was/am doing this to but I ran out of hot glue for my glue gun… You r box looks lovely and Summery and suits those softies perfectly!!!

xo Steph

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millymollymandy loves to quilt
860 days ago

great idea…simple, cheap and easy for little hands to help !
thanks for sharing. I think the puppy is trying to escape though !

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Guest
860 days ago

I love that owl. Woohoo! I like kids to see the joys of make-do instead of always getting new products. They learn a lot about looking outside the square when you indulge in projects like these. Cherrie

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Emjie
860 days ago

That is a great idea — both inexpensive and effective.

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Emjie
860 days ago

I just had a closer look at the photo… I love the assortment of homemade dolls.

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Jennifer Rose
860 days ago

great idea and would look great in any room. endless colour and pattern ideas

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Angela
860 days ago

Clever and resourceful, that's you Kirsty!!! Great work, the small must be proud as punch!! xx

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Ooty
860 days ago

lovely!!

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Anne Weaver
860 days ago

What a cool idea!! The fabric really dresses up this box!
I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-no-sew-fabric-covered-toy-box/2009/09/28/

–Anne

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Megan: The Byron Life
859 days ago

I'm definitely going to give this a whirl.
Thanks for (yet) another brilliant idea Kirsty!
x

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Kirsty
858 days ago

Thanks Steph…fun isn't it?

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Kirsty
858 days ago

I love the cheap & easy! Yup…he's on the run.

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Kirsty
858 days ago

Here, here Cherrie I love to encourage that have a crack attitude.

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Kirsty
858 days ago

Thanks Emjie.

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Kirsty
858 days ago

Thanks Jennifer.

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Kirsty
858 days ago

Thanks Angela…you're too kind. Yes, the small was most pleased with herself.

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Kirsty
858 days ago

Thank you so much.

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Kirsty
858 days ago

Thanks Anne I appreciate the support.

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Kirsty
858 days ago

Excellent…I'd love to see.

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maya
857 days ago

love her treasured picks and this great idea: boxes are limitless!

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Bek (Red Chocolate)
834 days ago

Such a great great idea! I have been on the hunt for baskets and things (a symptom of a cleaning spree!) and this looks great!

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