DIY Sewing Box

I thought I'd share how I made the sewing box for Big Sis.  I actually made it last spring hoping to make it past the first week of One Month to Win it.  The theme was Mod Podge, and so this is what I made.  However, since I got kicked off the first week, I'd tucked it away until the day when Sis was ready to learn how to sew.

Now, knowing that I made this almost a year ago, please understand I am racking my brain trying to remember how I did all this just based on the photos!  :)

To begin, grab your supplies.

You'll need:

• A small shoe box
• Decorative paper to cover box and for a label
• Decoupage medium and a brush to apply it
• Fabric scraps that coordinate, plan on a fat quarter size
• Coordinating thread
• Twill tape and indelible marker for labels
• Sewing tools...scissors, measuring items, iron & ironing board etc
• Hot glue gun

Step one.  Decorate your box.  I'm no authority on decoupage.  Just decorate any way you like.  I added a yellow fold to look like piping and a label for the top.

Here is the paper "piping".

I just made sure the paper covered the inside cover, and the first half inch down the inside of the box.  I also added handles, by punching through the outside with a pencil, and then threading through some rope and securing with knots.

It looked like this from the outside.

Step two.  Create your liner.

Make a paper pattern prior to cutting out your fabric.  Ideally, you can make the liner with one piece of fabric.  Measure the box bottom, and this should be the same size as the "bottom" of your liner.  Determine the size the box sides, and add 1/2".

Here is what the fabric will look like.

Cut out pockets as desired.  I made mine fuller than the actual side, and made them fit the sides with pleats.  Each pocket top was finished with a simple rolled hem.

I made the labels with twill tape that I wrote the descriptors onto, and then zig zag stitched into place.  I also added a clear plastic pocket with a zipper that I repurposed from something...can't remember what!

Sew the pockets so that the finished top will be up where you want it to be, which means you sew the bottom right sides together to the bottom edge of the liner.  Zig zag stitch the pocket sides to liner sides.

Next, sew the corners up, using a 1/4" seam.

Finally, sew a small rolled hem around the top edge of your liner.

Your liner is finished!

As you can see, I added pockets on all four sides, and even sewed a divider on the long side of one pocket.

Step three.  Glue liner in place and fill with goodies.

Here is the sewing box...filled with all the fun things that make sewing possible.

I hope that is a little clearer than mud!  Remind me not to write a tutorial 10 months after the fact...

What would you do with a sewing kit like this?  A special someone you know who could use one?

Sharing with Freckled Laundry, and Creation Corner.