DIY Network

Cardboard-Box Trunks From "DIY Crafts" episode DIC-132

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Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F

Inspired by a viewer's idea, Carol Duvall, host of HGTV's The Carol Duvall Show, transforms an office-supply store's plain cardboard storage boxes into distinctive fabric-covered boxes. The result is similar to designer box sets that may cost hundreds of dollars.

Materials:

Assorted cardboard boxes with removable lids
Dark or heavy fabric that will cover up any lettering that may be on the boxes
HeatnBond® iron-on fabric adhesive
Iron
Scissors
Optional: batting
Metal trunk embellishments such as corners, handles, locks, etc.

Note:

• Carol covers only the top of the box in her demonstration and explains that the process for covering the bottom of the box is identical.

1. Put the lid of the box together as instructed on the package. In some cases the lids have tabs that fit into slots to hold the box together. Trim off the tabs. Unfold the lid. You'll glue the box together later rather than have it fit together using the tabs (figure A).

2. Cut out a piece of fabric large enough to cover the unfolded lid.

3. Iron HeatnBond iron-on adhesive to the wrong side of the fabric. Peel away the paper backing of the HeatnBond, exposing the adhesive.

4. Place the unfolded lid on the adhesive side of the fabric, and iron the fabric to the lid. Smooth out any wrinkles.

5. Trim the fabric to fit the lid, being careful to leave enough fabric to cover exposed edges once the box top is assembled. Trim off each corner diagonally (figure B).

6. Slit the fabric at the corners of the lid by cutting from the center of the diagonal toward the corner of the lid. This will create two triangles. Cut two more slits from the point of each triangle to the edge of the lid. Iron the triangles over the edges of the lid (figure C).

7. Assemble the lid (figure D).

8. Use the same process to cover the rest of the box with fabric.

Options:

• Place a layer of batting on the lid before ironing on the fabric (figure E).

• Glue two pieces of ribbon around the box, and tie bows on the box just below the lid on one side. Or decorate the corners of the box with metal trunk parts and a faux trunk lock in the center of one side of the box (figure F).