Vintage Fabric Box Tutorial

I told Karen I would be happy to post a tutorial for the Bloggerette Sorority.

It took me awhile to think of what I wanted to do, but after some thought I decided to share with you this Vintage Box Tutorial. A few months back I found this adorable tattered old original vintage box. It was so sweet, but in rough shape.

It looked a little too rough for me to purchase, but still, there was just something about this box. It had worn satin material pleated randomly around the sides, a worn lumpy cushion inside, and beautiful ribbon work on top.

I decided to try to recreate the box so that it still had the old imperfect look, but would hold up a little better. So here it is. I hope you like it.

Vintage Fabric Box Tutorial

Supplies: 1/2 yard of material (I like the look of satin), 1 small 3 inch paper mache box, one small piece of sturdy cardboard 4 inches or larger, one sheet of 12x12 sturdy decorative scrapbook paper, fiber fill, craft knife, hot glue, your favorite craft glue (something tacky that dries quick), Amazing Craft goop or other quick hard setting glue, sponge brush, vintage lace, material, millinery, jewelry bits, buttons, or any other desired embellishments, ink or paint to cover the edges of the lid (optional).

1. You will need to cut out a circle that is about 9 1/2 -10 inches. A cake pan, or plate will work fine as a template. Your circle does not have to be perfect.

2. You will now need your box. Take off the lid and put it aside. Using your tacky craft glue, apply glue to the bottom of the box and then use your sponge brush to spread evenly around the box. (example below to the left is about how much glue to apply, to the right is the glue evenly spread)

3. Flip the box over and attach it to the center of your 10 inch circle. Press down to make sure the whole area is attached. Flip the box back over with the fabric attached. Smooth out any wrinkles and put aside to dry.

4. Next you will need the lid. With a craft knife, find the seam on the lip on the box and make a cut all the way down the side.

5. Next using the knife cut around the lip detaching it from the top circle of the lid.

6. Without removing too many layers from the cardboard, gently cut and smooth away the rough edges as much as possible.

7. Next use the circle to trace a second circle onto your sturdy cardboard You should now have 3 pieces, 2 circles, and 1 side piece.

8. Put the circle you just cut aside, and pull out the original circle and side from the box top. Use the circle to cut out a top and bottom from the scrapbook paper. Next measure the lip of your lid and cut out two stripes for the side of the box. Do not cut off any of the length on the stripes. They should remain around 12 inches long. So you should have 2 circles and 2 side stripes cut out of your scrapbook paper.

9. Glue the top and bottom circles to your lid. Next cut 1 and 3/4 in off the cardboard side piece and then glue one of the stripes to the outside of the side piece. When you glue it leave a small piece overhanging on one end and the rest on the other. See example below.

10. Apply a little bit of your sturdy glue (like Amazing goop) to the small edge of the paper and cardboard.

11. This step is the most confusing to try to explain, hopefully I don't confuse everyone lol. You are going to meet up the edges of the cardboard so that the glue will touch, the small tab of paper should over lap and then the longer edge should be glued on top of that. This helps to support the seam. See photo above. Hold in place for awhile to ensure everything is nice and secure.

12. Once your side is secure go ahead and cut the other strip to fit nicely inside and glue it in place. Once all pieces are covered. Go ahead and use hot glue to glue the side to the center of the circle. Your lid will fit very loosely to the box to give room for the fabric. It will be a secure fit once the fabric is on. If you desire ink or paint the edges of the box. I tried the brown ink in the photo, but later decided on painting it white. Set your lid aside now and allow it to dry for a couple hours to let the glue set.

13. Next we will cover the box. Using hot glue apply a little bit of hot glue to the side of the box. towards the top, make sure the fabric touches the glue, but do not rub it in. Make sure there are no wrinkles where it is touching.

14. Repeat this step on the opposite side. Next repeat the process again on the other side of the box. So your lines would be like a + sign. You will have 4 lines of glue. See below example.

15. Next you will glue a small part in between each of the four sections which will create 8. See below.

16. Start to go around the box folding the pleats and use hot glue to attach them at the inside bottom of the box.

17. Work your way around the box, and then make sure all loose ends at the bottom are secure. Don't worry too much about the very bottom because it will be covered up. Pick out a lace or ribbon and glue it to the side of the box. You want to try to keep it a little ways down from the top edge.

18. We will now make the cushion. Cut out your piece of cardboard circle made in step 7. It should fit loosely inside the box. Cut out a piece of material that is about 7-8 inches wide.

19. Glue a section of the fabric to the cardboard, and then stuff with fiber fill and glue fabric around as you go to secure the fiber fill inside. The cardboard will help offer a little bit of a flat surface for gluing inside the box.

20. To glue the cushion in the box, apply hot glue to the bottom of the box, and just slightly about a 1/4 inch up the side from the bottom. Be very careful with this step to lower the cushion in while making sure to pull the lace up from the sides so that it does not catch the glue. This is probably the hardest part. I found it works well to have a needle tool close by to assist with pulling up the lace and pushing down the cushion.

21. To finish off your box use hot glue to attach your desired lace, ribbon, millinery, jewelry and trims.

I hope you enjoy the tutorial. So sorry it took me longer to post it than I thought. lol
Thanks for visiting!

Comments

[Barbara]

Cassandra, I love your tutorial. I love that vintage look. You are very talented sista!Hugs XXBarbara

[A Fanciful Life]

Just beautiful - from shabby to chic! Your projects are just fabulous; I loved your ribbon flowers class. Still yet to make something (hanging my head in shame)...Sharon :-)

[debi]

Cassandra, that box is stunning! I cant wait to get started!Thank you for this wonderful tutorial.

[Maria]

Cassandra your vintage box that you have created is just gorgeous,thanks so much for giving us this lovely tutorial.......

[Dorthe]

Thanks so much for this beautifull fabric box tutorial, Cassandra.You made it wonderfull ,and easy looking.Your box, is gorgeus.Dorthe

[Sassy Marsha]

Thank you sooo much, Cassandra, for another fab tutorial!!! The vintage fabric box is so beautiful as are all your creations, so dreamy!!!xxooMarsha

[Lori Katies Rose Cottage]

Cassandra ~That is a beautiful tutorial ! I just love love all of your tutorials so much ~xoxoLori

[Erica]

This is so beautiful! What a helpful tutorial. Thanks for stopping by my blog - now I have another one to follow!Your Marie event looks fabulous. Off to check airfare to Tampa now!

[Lynn Stevens]

Wonderful tutorial and gorgeous fabric box!

[Electra]

Thanks for sharing this with us, Cassandra! Lovely instructions!

[NanE]

What a wonderful box, thanks for the tut! You have such a beautiful blog with so many inspiring projects. Wonderful eye candy. Blessings, Nan

[pinkstilettos]

WoW...I just love tutorials, so Thank you so mcuh!Daisy~

[Simply Debbie]

DEAR CASSANDRA,THANK YOU SOOOOOO VERY MUCH FOR THE TUTORIAL IN HOW TO MAKE A VINTAGE FABRIC BOX.I HATE TO EVEN CALL IT A BOX AS IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL. I WOULD HAVE NEVER FIGURED OUT THE LID.I CANT WAIT TO MAKE ONE.THANK YOU MY SORORITY SISTERHUGSSIMPLY DEBBIE

[Thespa McLaughlin]

Most excellent Cassandra! Thanks so much for this, its just too awesome!

[Anitra Cameron]

What a great Tute! Im thinking this craft may be one I take to our annual crafting week, coming up in August. Thanks so much!

[Karen]

Well holy cow!Cassandra - you are GOOD!I love it - I wish I had known about it before the BEAD SWAP!!!! Wouldnt that be fun to get? No time now - plus 2 of the 3 of mine are done. Hmmm . . . they arent nearly this fancy - but I like them and I hope the girls do too.OK, I am off to Michaels tomorrow morning to get another box so I can do this.I LOVE IT!!!Hugs! Karen

[Julie Ann]

Holy cow!!! That is so cool!!! Such a gorgeous project, Cassandra!

[Cidinha]

Hello,Ilove it!!!Very beautiful!Lovely instructions!Thank you my sorority sister.kissesCidinha

[Falaxy]

i am so so so inspired by this, thank you, i am so glad i have discovered your beautiful blog!you are a gem for sharing! : )