How to Make a Fabric Storage Container

Repurposing is one of the hottest trends in home decor and one with unparalleled staying power. Not only are you being eco-friendly by extending the life or your household items and thereby keeping them out of our public landfills, you are opening up an entire world of creative possibilities for showing off your own personal style and flare.

Items Needed:

• Tailor’s washable pen


• Fabric for container body - roughly 4 yards per container depending on size.


• Fabric for container top - roughly 2 yards per container depending on size.


• Trim, cording or ribbon - roughly 2 yards per container depending on size.


• Strong spray adhesive like 3M brand super adhesive 


• Bucket of hot soapy water


• Soft bristled nylon brush


• Clean dry towels


• Olive oil


• Measuring tape


• Plastic scraping device


• Spray paint for inside of container 


• New clean trash bags
  
  

Instructions:

1. Prepare your work surface. Spread out a few new trash bags over your craft table or work surface. Tape the bags together and then to the table itself. Have at least two extra bags on hand to cover materials as you use the spray adhesive.


2. Wash your container. Your container should be free of any dirt or oils clinging to the surface. Remove any labeling or stickers from the body of the container by applying a little olive oil to the area and rubbing firmly. Remove with a plastic scraping device. Wash the area again then rinse and dry thoroughly before continuing.


3. Paint the insides of the lid and storage container to prevent light from shining through the fabric and displaying the items you have stored within. Use a neutral color on the inside and inner lid to avoid muddied fabric colors. Spray your paint lightly and evenly to prevent drip marks from forming. Apply a second or third coat if more coverage is needed, it is more important to keep each layer light and even to avoid drips and runs than it is to get everything covered all at once. Make sure all paint is dry before continuing.


4. Cut out fabric panels for the container. Use a measuring tape to find out the length and height of each long side of the container at both top and bottom, as well as the length and height of each short side of the container, top and bottom. Leave an additional ½ inch on each long side panel to permit overlapping with your short side panels on placement. Cut these pieces out of your fabric and set aside. If getting the shape just right is an issue due to your container being larger at its top than at its bottom, try laying the container on each of its sides on a different part of fabric. Trace the appropriate panels individually on to the wrong side of the fabric and then cut them out. Set panels aside in a bag for later use.


5. Use your cut fabric panels as a guide to cut your trim. Cut four pieces of trim that reach from the top lip of the container mouth all the way down to the bottom of the container. Cut another two pieces of trim to fit around the entire circumferences of the top of the container as well as the bottom.


6. Create two traced templates for the lid on the wrong side of the fabric; one that matches the lid’s curves very closely for the inside lid cover and a second that has an additional three inch border around the lid tracing that will be used for the outside lid cover. You can use a tape measure to get the distances exact if you wish; however, ‘eyeballing’ it is also okay as the edges will be covered by the first piece of fabric when you are done. 


7. Cut out both pieces of fabric, placing the smaller of the two pieces in a bag to protect it against overspray and arranging the larger piece so that it is resting wrong side up and side by side with the storage container lid. The lid should be placed with its exterior surface or ‘top’ facing up so that you are looking down at it as it rests on the table. Keep at least two inches of distance between the larger piece of fabric and the container lid.


8. Hold the can of spray adhesive no farther than six to eight inches from the surface of the lid and the wrong side of the fabric and apply the spray in a light even coat, covering the entire surface of the lid and the fabric. Let stand 30 seconds then apply a second coat and another 30 seconds before fitting the two items together. 


9. Pick up the sprayed fabric by holding each corner along one of its long edges and carefully lay its adhesive side in direct contact with the sprayed lid. Adjust the placement of the fabric by tugging gently at its corners until it is centered then apply a firm, steady pressure to the surface; working your hand over the fabric from center to edges, smoothing out any bubbles or wrinkles as you go. Flip the lid over when done and fold over the sprayed edges of fabric and press them firmly onto the inner surface of the lid. Let stand for one minute.


10. Bring out your second, smaller piece of fabric and lay it wrong side up on your work surface next to the now flipped over lid. Spray the new piece of fabric and the interior of the lid with adhesive including the folded fabric edges. Allow the required time between your two coats as well as time for curing before working the sprayed side of the smaller piece of fabric into direct contact with the sprayed surface of the interior lid. Smooth away any wrinkles as you work, paying special attention to where the fabric overlaps the folded edges wrapped around from the top piece of fabric on the lid. Set the lid aside and allow it to cure for at least an hour before use.


11. Place the body of your storage container on your work surface and spray adhesive over the entire outer surface of the container save for the area that will be in contact with the floor. Lay the two short side fabric panels down followed by the two long side fabric panels, keeping roughly two inches between each panel. Spray all panels with two coats of adhesive and allow for the 30 second cure time before placing the panels onto the surface of the container. Apply the long side fabrics first, working from top to bottom with the container lying on its side for easier access followed by the short panels. Remember that your long panels will overlap into the areas of the short panel by ½ an inch.


12. Pin your trim ribbons to your work surface and spray their wrong side with adhesive. Place trim along each seam created by the ½ inch overlap of fabric at the front and back of the container working from top to bottom. Do not spray the fabric as well as the trim, only the trim itself to prevent as perpetually sticky container. Once the corner trim is in place, add your trim along the top and bottom of the container and run your fingers firmly along each ribbon or cord to ensure a secure placement.


13. Fill your storage fabric storage container and replace the lid.