Recycled shoe box

By Spotlight

Transform your desk, work table, bookshelves or wardrobe with fabric off-cuts & a little imagination.

Final Result

Materials

Per box

• cardboard shoe box & lid
• 1m of fabric - depending on nap & pattern on fabric
• spray adhesive or PVA glue
• sharp scissors
• A2 (or 2 x A4) lightweight cardboard
• pencil
• iron & ironing board

Step 1

Base
Using the tape measure start on the inside at the base of one short end and measure up the inside, down the outside, underneath the box to other end, up the end and down on the inside. Add 5cm to this measurement for the width of fabric required. Again start on the inside at the base of one long side and measure up the inside, down the outside, underneath the box to other side, up the outside and down on the inside. Add 5cm to this measurement for the length of fabric required.

Step 2

Cut the fabric to size. Spray the wrong side of fabric, the outside and the inside of the shoe box with spray adhesive*. Place base of box in the centre of fabric and gently smooth fabric onto box, up the sides, neatly folding back and trimming any overlapping fabric, and then down the insides of box, finishing on the base. Use PVA where necessary as extra glue on the layers of fabric.

Step 3

Measure the base of the box and cut a piece of cardboard 5mm smaller. Cut a piece of fabric 3cm larger than cardboard on all sides. Spray the wrong side of the fabric and cardboard with spray adhesive*. Smooth fabric onto cardboard, trim and fold excess fabric over to back of cardboard. Paint back of card with PVA glue and place inside shoe box, completely lining the base of the box. Allow to dry thoroughly before using.

Step 4

Lid
Substitute the lid for the base and repeat the steps as for the base.

Note

* You will need to spray surfaces with at least two coats of adhesive as when spraying cardboard and fabric, the first coat soaks in quickly on the surface and the next coat will be the adhering coat.

Note

Iron fabric to remove all creases before commencing.