Keeping It Simple - Storage Cubes Big and Little - Part 1

Organize, organize and organize some more.  I decided to give my sewing room a makeover of sorts.  The goal however, is to repurpose as many items as possible without spending much money.  Well, this could take all year -that is how bad my room is.  But as it comes along I will share what I repurpose.  First there was this huge oak frame that has been in our basement since our oldest daughter's college days (She is 34 now).  I cannot remember what she used it for back then but I have claimed it as mine.  It made a great photo board. 

I simply used some spray adhesive to adhere a layer of fluffy batting to the backboard of the frame.  Then I cut some fabric I had so that it was 6" bigger than the backboard, adhered it with the spray adhesive and stapled it around to the backside.  I cut the ribbon a few inches more for each length pinned it in place and stapled it on the backside of the backboard.  I decided where I wanted the buttons to go and put a staple in the ribbon at those spots.  Then I hot glued the buttons on and hung the frame.  Now I just have to find time to decide to print the pictures to put up.  One repurposed frame out of the basement and I used up some fabric as well.

Today's Keeping It simple project goes right along with the photo board.  I decided I would like something to hold the various scraps that I always save when sewing.  So I made some fabric cubes to use up more fabric and a few other scraps of things.  Here are the first two.

I tried more than one method of creating these.  This is how I made the big one:

Big Storage Cube

This method was one of those that looks a little easier than it really is.  It was the largest one so I thought I needed extra stiffness to make it stand up.  I saw something similar in a craft booth last August.  I had some Timtex that someone had given to me quite awhile ago so I set out to make one. 

Here is what you need:

Five  -10" squares cotton for the outside

Five  -10" squares cotton for the inside

Four  -8 3/4" squares of Timtex

One   -8 3/4" square fusible batting

Two  rectangles 6" wide by 5 1/2" tall for the pocket

Here is what I did:

For the pocket:

Embroider a design of your choice in the center of one of the pocket rectangles. 

With right sides together sew 1/4" around the rectangle leaving an opening for turning. 

Clip the corners.  Turn right side out and press.

Place pocket 3" from the top edge of one of the outside squares and center it widthwise. Pin in place.

Using an 1/8" seam sew around the outer edge of the sides and bottom of the pocket.

To make the box:

On one square designated for the cube bottom center the batting square on the wrong side and fuse in place.  Layer this square with the other square designated for the bottom, right sides together.  Using 1/4" seam sew around leaving an opening for turning.  Clip corners.  Turn right side out and press.  Set aside.

With right sides together layer, one inside and one outside square.  Using 1/4" seam sew around leaving about a 4" opening in the center of the bottom.  Clip corners.  Turn right side out and press.  Repeat for the other three square sets.

 

Roll one piece of Timtex and insert into the opening and maneuver around until it is flat in centered within the square.  (This takes a little patience)  Repeat for the other three squares.

Place two squares insides(lining) together and pin down one side.  Make sure the Timtex is centered leaving room to sew without sewing through it.  Using a zipper foot sew about 1/8" from edge.

Repeat, adding squares until you have a square tube.  Pin the bottom in place making sure you pocket opening is toward the top.  Using a 1/8" seam sew around the bottom.  (This too requires a little patience so slow your machine down and take your time.) 

The box is done and measures about 9 1/2" square.

Next time I will give some different instructions for making the smaller box and maybe a third method that I have in mind.  The second cube is not as rigid but maybe that is what made it seem easier to make.

I am thinking of making a set of small ones for my granddaughter's desk after I get done trying different methods of creating these boxes.

Take care,

DB

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