Tutorial: Small Storage Cube
This tutorial will teach you how to create a small cube you can use to help keep you organized. It’s great for desktop supplies. You can make this all one color fabric, or use up those leftover scraps of fabric. You can print out the pdf pattern below, or just cut out 11 little squares to get started.
Supplies Needed:
(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)
Step 1
Fold and sew the handles
Fold the sides of the handles to meet at the center. then fold them in half. Sew along the open side to create your handle. You can use as many handles as you want. Just one side or all four, whatever will be most useful for you.
Step 2
Sew the handles to the sides of the bin
Fold the ends of the handle over and sew them to the center of the side bin pieces.
Step 3
sew the first side of the bin
Sandwich the base of the cube between a side layer and a lining layer. The side and the lining will be right sides together, with the base in between.
Step 4
press the side and lining away from the base
after sewing, press the side and the lining away from the base to make room for the other sides.
Step 5
Repeat the previous steps for the other sides of the bin
Step 6
Sew the outer cube and the lining cube along the corner
Peel the outside cube away from the lining layers. Sew them along the four corners with right sides together. Repeat that process on the other side with the lining layers. After sewing, you should have two cube shapes sewn with the base in the middle separating them.
Step 7
Fold the lining inside and sew the seams together to create pockets
fold the cube so the lining is inside. The side of the cube and the lining will have wrong sides together, so the seam allowance is hidden on the inside.
Line up the four corners of the cube and sew the lining and outer layer together along the seams. This will create four pockets for your cardboard.
Step 8
Add your cardboard into the sides of the cube
Step 9
cut four 2″X7″ rectangles and sew them into a loop
Cut for rectangles that are 2″ wide by 7″ long and sew them together into a loop. Then fold the outer edges to the inside and press the loop in half.
You can also skip this step and use double fold bias tape in the next step.
Step 10
Fold the loop around the top and sew
Fold the loop over the upper edge of the bin. Sew it all the way around to seal the cardboard inside the pockets. I found this part to be a bit tricky with a sewing machine because of how bulky the cardboard is, especially around the corners. If it’s giving you trouble, remember you can always hand-sew the the twill tape instead of using the machine.
Step 11
hem the base insert pieces
double turn one side of both base inserts to hem them.
Step 12
sew the base insert together
with right sides together, sew the two base insert pieces, leaving the hemmed side open
Step 13
turn the base insert to the right side
Clip the corners and turn the base to the right side through the hemmed edge.
Step 14
insert the cardboard
Add the cardboard to the insert and place it at the bottom of the bin.
Finished!
