How to Make Perfect No-Sew Canvas Storage Bins
Make perfect no-sew canvas storage bins or boxes using cardboard boxes with this detailed step-by-step tutorial. There is even a no-sew liner!
Hi, I am Anika, and I am scared of sewing machines.
You are probably thinking – “says the girl who uses power tools.” I am not kidding! This is why you haven’t seen any projects on this blog that have anything to do with sewing.
I am working on conquering that fear… but until then, you get only no-sew ideas from me!
If you think my fear of sewing machines is weird, here is the best way I can explain it… There is something about that moving needle and the moving fabric going towards it… It creeps me out…
Power tools on the other hand… your hand is always away from the blades (they better be right?!)
Canvas bins look fantastic and are great for organizing, but you don’t want to drop $$$ on a hundred million of these (I may exaggerate a bit, but you get the idea). The easiest solution – DIY canvas storage boxes – the no-sew variety!
The base is a box which can be a diaper box, a shipping box, a shoe box – anything that works for you – so that is free. Plus. it took about 10 minutes to make one! I made all of these and still have about half the drop cloth left for many more bins…
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Materials for No-Sew Canvas Storage Bins –
- Cardboard box – diaper box, shipping box, shoe box.. you pick
- Canvas drop cloth
- Spray adhesive
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Ruler
- pencil
How to Make a No-Sew Fabric Covered Storage Bin –
Step 1 – If your box has top flaps, cut them off and tape any holes/slots for handles.
Step 2 – Cut out the drop cloth to a size such that the drop cloth wraps around the sides and has about 3 inches extra. Don’t forget to iron it.
Step 3 – Time to make the canvas covered box. Lay the drop cloth on a flat surface and keep the box in the middle and mark out the bottom.
Step 4 – Measure out 1 inch diagonally from the corner. (Please ignore my worn nail paint)
Step 5 – Draw straight lines from the edge of the drop cloth to the mark from step 4.
Step 6 – Do this for all the sides and cut them out.
Step 7 -Now cut along the 1-inch diagonal line to the corner.
Step 8 – On one side – spray side of the box with adhesive and smooth the drop cloth flap on.
Step 9 – Use hot glue and glue the extra fabric onto the sides.
Step 10 -Repeat steps 8 and 9 on the opposite side of the box. The extra cloth on the top will fall into place as well. Use hot glue to attach it.
Step 11 – On the open sides, use hot glue and tuck in the raw edges. Make sure they are straight.
Step 12 – Using spray adhesive on the box and a line of hot glue on the drop cloth, smooth the flap on. This will give you a nice neat seam. Repeat this for the opposite side too.
The Canvas drop cloth covered bin is ready! It looks like a lot of steps but I promise it is super simple and easy!
How to Make a No-Sew Liner for a Storage Bin –
Now for the Liner. I used the drop cloth for this as well but you can use a patterned fabric too for a punch of color!
Step 1 – Cut the fabric similar to Steps 3 – 7 above.
Step 2 – Follow a similar approach like steps 8 – 12 to fold in the raw edges and glue the fabric to the insides.
Step 3 – For the top edge – fold in the extra fabric and glue it in using hot glue. Glue the edge to the edge of the box using hot glue as well. It should give you a nice clean seam.
That’s it! No-sew canvas covered storage bins with liners! Who needs a sewing machine? Not this girl 🙂
There are so many different ways to embellish it! Stencil it…
trim it with ribbon….
paint it…
You’ve got yourselves (almost) free DIY no-sew canvas storage bins using drop cloth!
Looking for more Drop cloth project ideas? You have got to check out these 25 amazing drop cloth project ideas!
Or how about these easy DIY divided storage bins? I have free plans available for you too!
Looking For More DIY Storage Solutions?
Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
Cute canvas boxes.
Once I impaled my left index finger using a sewing machine. No one else was home and I had to sit and wait for my husband to return to figure out which way to turn the wheel to bring the needle back up. The only good thing about it, Dr. told me not to do dishes for two weeks (I didn’t let on that I knew I could use rubber gloves).