Fabric Storage Box Tutorial

This life-changing storage box is the stuff of dreams for so many reasons - it's easy to sew, it'll slot right into IKEA shelving, and you can hide everything inside and zip it away. As long as you can't see the mess, that means it's tidy, right?

They're roomy enough for all sorts, from books to kids' toys and clothes, so don't just stop at one. Plus they're a great way to show off fabrics from your stash, giving your space a fresh look.

Heavier-weight linens work best to give the shape structure, but you can always back quilting cottons with a fusible interfacing like we have. Use a 1cm (3/8") seam allowance throughout unless otherwise stated.

 MATERIALS
■    Figo Fabrics Moonlit Voyage in Terracotta, 1.5m (59 1/8") (Fabric A) 
■    Washed Ramie linen, 0.5m (19 3/4") each in Charcoal (Fabric B), Mustard (Fabric C) and Rust (Fabric D) 
■    Heavy-weight interfacing, 1.5m (59 1/8")
■    Medium-weight fusible interfacing, 1.5m (59 1/8")
■    Zip, 90cm (35 1/2")
■    Bias binding

1. To make the handle, cut a 25 x 12cm (9 7/8 x 4 3/4") piece each from Fabric A and the medium-weight interfacing. Following the manufacturer's instructions, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side (WS) of the fabric using an iron. Fold the fabric in half along the length with RS together, then pin and sew along the open long edge. 

2. Turn the handle right side (RS) out and press so the seam runs down the centre of one side - this will be the back of the handle. Top stitch along each long edge, 1cm (3/8") in, using coordinating thread. Fold both short edges to the back by 1cm (3/8") and press, then fold to the back again, this time by 2.5cm (1"), and press. Pin or clip the ends in place, then put to one side.

3. For the box, cut four 31 x 31cm (12 1/4 x 12 1/4") squares each from Fabrics A and B. Cut two 31 x 31cm (12 1/4 x 12 1/4") squares each from Fabrics C and D, then cut six 31 x 31cm (12 1/4 x 12 1/4") squares of medium-weight interfacing and six 29 x 29cm (11 1/2  x 11 1/2") squares of heavy-weight interfacing.

4. Place a Fabric B square RS down, then add a square of heavy-weight interfacing on top, positioning it centrally. Layer on a square of medium-weight interfacing, then carefully press the layers in place as per the manufacturer's instructions, making sure to iron around all four edges, fusing the heavy-weight interfacing at the centre. This will form one outer side of the box.

5. Repeat Step 4 with a second square of Fabric B, creating a second Fabric B side, then repeat to create two Fabric A sides, a Fabric C side and a Fabric D side.

6. Pin the handle to the centre of the Fabric D side, RS up and roughly 13cm (5 1/4") up from the base and 7.5cm (3") in from either side. Sew a rectangle shape at either short end of the handle to attach it to the side, then sew two diagonal lines from corner to corner within each rectangle to secure the handle.

7. Lay out the sides in a T-shape as shown, positioning the Fabric D side with the handle at the top. 

8. Cut two 23 x 31cm (9  1/8 x 12 1/4") pockets from Fabric A. On one of the pocket pieces, fold one edge to the WS by 1cm (3/8") and press, then fold it to the WS again by 1cm (3/8"). Press, then top stitch 0.75cm (1/4") in from the folded edge to secure. Pin or clip the pocket onto the Fabric A side at the top right of the T-shape, positioning both fabric pieces RS up, and matching the raw edges of the pocket to the raw edges of the Fabric A side. The Fabric B square at the centre of the T-shape will become the base of the box, so the bottom of the pocket should sit next to it.

9. To construct the box, sew the long centre column of squares together first. Place the top two squares RS together, then sew along the adjoining edge, 1cm (3/8") in. Repeat to add the third square down onto the second square, then the fourth square onto the third. Sew the sides in the same way.

10. Lift the sides up around the centre Fabric B square with RS facing in. Pin or clip the sides together and sew 1cm (3/8") in from the edges, leaving the top of the box - the Fabric A side - free. Turn the box RS out.

11. Pin the zip around the top of the box as shown, RS together and aligning the edges. The zip should start and finish at the sides next to the Fabric A top, as the other half of the zip will be attached to the top later.

12. Lay out the remaining fabric squares as per Step 7 - these will form the lining of the box. Repeat Step 8 to create an inside pocket, then sew as per Steps 9-10, leaving it WS out. Place the box outer inside the lining, RS together, and matching the side seams, top and bottom. Adjust the pins around the top raw edge so the zip is sandwiched between the outer and lining fabrics, then sew just in from the edge using a zipper foot. 

13. Turn the box RS out through the top, positioning the lining on the outside. Open the zip, then pin the unsewn side to the edge of the top's outer fabric, RS together. The outer and lining fabrics should be WS together, with raw edges aligned. Sew all three edges. 

14. To finish the raw edges of the box top, sandwich them between a length of bias binding, pinning it in place as you go. Sew, then turn the box through to the RS to finish, pushing out all the corners.