Lining a Box with Fabric – Easy Steps to Line Any Box with Fabric

RON HAZELTON:
Now I picked up this wooden box at the auction the other day for a pretty good price. It's a primitive piece probably from somewhere in Indonesia. Now I don't mind a rough hewn look on the outside, but I'd like to do something with the interior to dress it up a little bit. So I'm going to line it with fabric panels.

Now this is the same process I would use if I were going to line a chest of drawers or an armoire. I start by cutting pieces of poster board to fit the bottom and all 4 sides. To give these panels a slightly cushioned or plush look, I first cover them with white flannel which I cut slightly over sized.

Then I apply spray adhesive to the poster board sections - turn them over, press the cardboard in contact with the fabric, cut off the corners - and fold over the edges. The clipped corners allow me to make a sort of miter without having to overlap the claw.

Now I cut the fabric in the same way. Apply adhesive to the flannel, then attach and fold the material. Once the panels are finished, I simply set them in place. On larger pieces like armoires and drawers, I sometimes use double stick foam tape or small dabs of hot metal glue to hold the sections in position.

It also may help to use a stiffer board to make the panels more rigid. Now you have to admit, that's a pretty easy way to turn something simple into something elegant. And if you want to change the fabric, just take these panels out and replace them.

Learn how to make a decorative and functional lining for a box or drawer

Old chests of drawers, armoires, jewel boxes and more can be given an updated look with a simple fabric lining that you can add. On furniture, the liner may protect clothing from snagging on rough places in the wood. In a jewel box, the liner protects and enhances, possibly serving as a way to customize the box as a gift for a special person. The type of fabric and design you choose contributes to the final character--silks and velvets add elegance while simple cotton renders a more homespun look. For this project, we use a cotton print to add color and appeal to a primitive wooden box from Asia.