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Storage > Storage > How to Line a Box with Decorative Fabric Panels

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

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Step

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.

Measure the Interior of the Box and Purchase Woven Fabric

Step

Measure the interior dimensions of the box you are lining. You will need to know the height, depth, and width of the cavity--and possibly the inner measurements of the lid, if you intend to line it as well. When you know the measurements, you can purchase the fabrics at a craft or fabric store. The fabric should be woven rather than knitted--the latter will stretch and loose its shape.

Transfer Measurements to Poster Board and Line Up a Carpenter's Square

Step

Mark the measurements and line up a carpenter's square on a sheet of poster board. The poster board will offer a little stiffening to the fabric inserts/panels for the bottom and sides. If your project requires larger inserts, you might want to consider another stiffening product with more body--foamcore would serve well.

Cut Poster Board Inserts with a Utility Knife

Step

Slide a sharp utility knife along the edge of the metal carpenter's square and cut inserts with true right angles to fit the bottom of the box and each of its four sides.

Test the Fit of the Side and Bottom Inserts in the Box

Step

Test the fit of the pieces you cut by placing them temporarily in the box. As you test the fit, keep in mind the thickness of the fabric you plan to use--if the fit is snug with the stiffening alone, you may need to pare down the size to accommodate the additional bulk of a heavy fabric. If necessary trim the edge slightly, but do not overdo it.

Cover Your Work Surface with Brown Paper

Step

Lay down a wide piece of brown paper to provide a clean work surface. Ensure the work surface is clean and free from glue after you apply adhesive in any of the following steps and change the paper if necessary.

Wrap the Inserts in White Flannel

Step

Give the panels a plush or cushioned look by wrapping them first in flannel as underlayment. We use white flannel, because the background of the cotton fabric in the final layer is light-colored. Use scissors to cut the flannel with a 1-inch overhang on all sides of the inserts.

Apply Spray Adhesive to the Poster Board Insert

Step

Apply spray adhesive on the poster board insert. Coat it thoroughly, but do not saturate it.

Center Each Insert on Its Flannel Panel

Step

Center each insert on its individual piece of flannel, glued side down. Press the poster board firmly against the fabric.

Trim Off the Corners of the Flannel at a 45-Degree Angle

Step

Trim off the corners of the flannel at a 45-degree angle. In a later step, the clipped corners will enable you to fold a "mitered" corner without having to overlap the cloth and add bulk.

Spray Adhesive on the Flannel-Covered Poster Board

Step

Spray the back of the poster board again with adhesive.

Fold the Edges of the Flannel Over the Back of the Insert

Step

Fold in the edges neatly, pulling gently at the sides for a snug fit. Most woven fabrics will fray if you pull on the very edges, so handle the fabric carefully.

Cut Individual Panels of Cotton Print Fabric for Each Insert

Step

Cut individual panels of the cotton print fabric for each insert, allowing an extra inch along each side. Be sure to align the straight edge of the insert along the grain--parallel to the threads of the woven fabric. If you place it at an angle (across the grain), the fabric will stretch because it is cut on the "bias."

Join the Flannel Insert to the Cotton Print Panel

Step

Place the print cloth face down on the work surface--cotton print has a definite right and wrong side. Apply the spray adhesive to the front of the flannel-covered poster board and press it face down onto the back of the cotton print fabric.

Trim the Corners off the Print Fabric

Step

Trim the corners from the print fabric.

Re-spray the Back of the Insert

Step

Re-spray the back of the insert with adhesive.

Fold Over the Corners of the Cotton Print and Smooth Out Wrinkles

Step

Fold over the corners of the cotton print fabric and smooth away any wrinkles that would add bulk or prevent it from lying flat in the bottom of the box.

Place the Side Inserts in the Box, Followed by the Bottom Insert

Step

Place the covered inserts in the box. If the side inserts stand a little high in the box, ensure they are no standing on top of the bottom insert. If so, position them first and then set the bottom in place--its snug fit should hold the other inserts in position. Use double-faced tape or small dabs of craft glue, if necessary, to hold the panels in place on large projects.