The Sewing Place
The Emporia => House Beautiful => Topic started by: SewRuthieSews on July 06, 2020, 15:20:41 PM
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I have some storage boxes which fit on my shelves perfectly but are not in harmony with my colour scheme.
I have thought about covering them in fabric or plain paper and wondered if anyone has tried this sort of thing, and if so what approach worked best?
Thanks Ruth
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Yes, I've done it. Both with fabric and with paper. Fabric wears better if they are to be pulled in and out regularly. Wall paper is OK if not. With both I used Unibond to stick it, applied with a paintbrush, but if the fabric is thin you need to take care not to make it too "wet" with the glue. I have also painted them. Emulsion is OK again if not in regular use but egg-shell paint if they are.
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I've used paper and paint..I prefer paint.
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Hey @SewRuthieSews have you seen what August's competition is? :thumbsup:
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What are the storage boxes made of? That will have a bearing on the best way of covering them.
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They are corrugated cardboard with a printed external finish
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I haven't tried fabric for that sort of thing but I have used Fablon or similar (Blue Peter stick-back plastic) some of which looks like faux felt. Done carefully it looked OK but wasn't that robust.
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You want to decoupage :) Great fun.
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I've done decoupage on various things including furniture. It is great fun and very effective. 0_0 I also tried out some paint effects before hand like crackle glaze. I used one layer of napkin or peeled and peeled and peeled vinyl wallpaper. I peeled so much that the only thing left was it's grin! :faints:
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It rather depends on how closely your boxes are crammed in on the shelf and how often they are pulled in and out. Mine are quite tightly crammed(!) and I have found that fabric stands up to use for much longer.
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I have a painted corrugated box that still looks decent 45 years later.
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You could always apply a matt finish varnish/sealer or similar over your choice of decorative coating to make it more durable
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Something tells me 45 year old cardboard is more substantial than the office file boxes I have. Mine flex way too much for paint.
The decoupage idea sounds interesting though. Would be a great way to utilize all those patterns collected inside of them!
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@SewRuthieSews I came upon this yesterday and thought it might be of interest. Removable and washable. :) Nothing happens till the 5 minute mark so you can skip the waffle.
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@wrenkins I can't see any link?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnqP9ajUQlU
Well you wouldn't would you?!?!?! :| :faints:
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@wrenkins thanks for that.
I maybe wouldn't quite use their method but removable covers are a really great idea. I think I'd have one piece for the base and another for the sides.
And a version could be used to make basket linings too.
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Watched a basket lining tutorial as well, and get the concept of the bag better now.
I've found a remnant of fabric large enough to cover 2 boxes so will give it a try.
The fabric needs to be dense enough to cover the box (pattern, colour, cardboard with writing etc) but not too bulky or the seams in the bottom of the box will be lumpy.
I will share how mine come out
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If you can fancy a quick 'n easy solution, then spray-on carpet adhesive might be a way to go.
Cut the fabric to the rough shape of the outside of the box, and then follow the instructions on the spray can.
Trim the fabric corners tight to the corners of the box, or mitre and fold over, envelope style, and stick the overlap down with more of the same adhesive.
Make sure you are 100% happy with the fabric choice though, once it's stuck on with that stuff, it's never coming off.