More Power to the People. Trim Box Instructions.

We're breaking down the trim box today.  These instructions will work for a box of any dimensions, but I'm in the middle of this particular project, so you get the ones for trim!  These instructions are meant for personal use.  Yours and yours alone, dear People.   

Supplies:
Fabric.  Two kinds.  I'm using cotton canvas, and quilting cotton.
Timtex .  Or some other kind of very stiff cardboard-like interfacing.

Cut Fabric. 
My finished dimensions will be 10" long, 2 1/2" wide and 31/2" tall.  In order to get those I'll add a 1/2" to each measurement to allow for 1/4" seam allowances. 

Sides: 10 1/2" by 4" (2 of each fabric.)
Ends: 3 by 4" (2 of each fabric)
Bottom: 10 1/2 by 3" (one of each fabric)
Timtex: 25" by 3 3/8" (one)
(You can also piece the timtex together in side sections.  I do this for big boxes, or when I don't have a long enough piece.  You need to use finished dimensions (minus a little wiggle room) to cut out the sides, and then join the pieces side-by-side with no seam allowances using a zig zag stitch)

Stitch together the sides of the box, right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Backtack at the top and the bottom.  Your stitch line should extend from the top of the seam down STOPPING a 1/4" from the bottom.  This will help you get the bottom of the box on.

Take the bottom piece and line up the long sides together.  Begin stitching 1/4" from the edge of both pieces and stop stitching leaving the same 1/4" at the end of your stitch line.  Repeat on the other long side.  Sew the ends together last.  the 1/4" you left will let you swivel the box ends together and get a cleaner corner.

 

Repeat these steps with the lining with ONE exception.  Leave an opening for the Timtex to go through at one edge.  So.  Start at the top and sew down 1" backtacking at either end.   Leave an opening.  3/4" from the bottom to another short stitching line, stopping 1/4" from the bottom, backtacking at both ends.

 

Okay.  You still okay?  We're nearly there.  Iron as best you can, both the outside and the liner.

 

Turn outside piece right side out.  Turn liner inside out.  Put inside each other with right sides together lining up all corners.  Have the lining Poke out a little over top the outside pieces.  Pin together if you're feeling a bit squeamish.  If one side is longer/shorter you can ease the two pieces together at the corners.  You can also stretch the fabric a little as you sew, to make up for any deficits. 

Sew the top edge together all the way around.

 

Pull the outside through the big hole you left in the lining pieces and get it all straightened out.

 

Bend your piece of timtex according to the dimensions of your finished box (it's a good idea to measure your outside piece at this point, just to make sure you've got the right measurements.  Bend it in half and insert it through your lining piece.  You're going to have to get a little rough with it.  That's why you did all that backtacking.

Smooth down the top edge down over the sides of the timtex/interfacing.  Pin together.  Now, the interfacing is going to be unyielding, but your fabric will have some give.  When you stretch out  your fabric and pin it through the timtex you'll know what you're dealing with.  You're going to think that you have all sorts of extra interfacing but chances are good you'll have just enough.  (You might end up with a tiny gap at one of the corners where your timtex doesn't quit reach.  Or you may end up with a little overlap.  If you keep your open corner lined up with a free edge of the timtex you can reach your scissors in there and snip off any extra.)

 

Start at the open edge of the lining where the  timtex/interfacing meet and begin top stitching all the way around the box.  I used my machine today, but I prefer to hand-sew the top stitch in.  The machine tends to jump around a little. 

Now.  Slip stitch the opening in your lining closed. 

For clean edges, go ahead and iron in a crease at all four corners to "set" the timtex.

There are so many ways of embelishing these. You can embroider some fun stuff on the outside before or after you put it together. I sew a panel pocket on my big boxes  before I put the sides together.  And there's always applique.  Never thought I'd be using that phrase. 

Now, if you're saying "Girl, you are Crazy, that is a lot of work.  I would just like to BUY one."  Well, I'm working on it.  I'll let you know.  Until then, go forth and make boxes for the good trim keeping people in your life.   Problems?  I'll try to answer questions in the comments. 

 

Comments

[Amanda]

That's a fabulous tutorial. So clear, great photos, and very detailed. Rock on.

Of course, I was reading it and thinking, "hmn...I wonder if she'll be selling these soon...cause *that's* what I want to do." Ha! I'll be waiting patiently!

[erin]

you go girl....timtex scares me.

[Feli]

Thanks for the fab tutorial. I have been admiring those fabric boxes for ages.

[tracy]

Girl, you are Crazy, that is a lot of work. I would just like to BUY one.... oh yeah. patience tracy patience...

[kristin]

this is wonderful!! thanks for sharing. of course, as i am pathetic with a sewing machine, i join those who say "girl, you are crazy...where can i just buy one instead" :)

[rfg]

Great tutorial! I desperately need one of these for my desk.

[blair]

are you having a drink now? (No wonder you were asking about coffee). These are hard. You've done well, looks very good. Who needs a clean house? I've got boxes to make. : )

[kirsten]

wow, thanks for open-sourcing that one!

[sally]

Girl, you are crazy. I have desire to make one of these. Nope. Nada. Zilch. I'll wait til you open shop. =)

[Mae]

So very kind of you to share your talents with us. I may just try this little gem!

[Jessica]

i am going to try this out, but i have made a promise to myself that if i try it and find that it is too difficult for me i am going to beg and plead to buy one from you. you are the master of this gorgeous project. thanks for sharing!

[Allison]

Thanks for offering up the tutorial. I've been hoping you would for a while now, but didn't want to be so bold as to ask for it.
I can't wait to give it a go!

[justine]

thanks for this :)
hey is your banner new? I usually just check through bloglines I havn't been to your actual blog site for a while

[caroline]

amazing tutorial - thanks. It has inspired me to create my own typepad blog....but which level do you guys use? I dont want the hassle of having to upgrade when I dont need to.
Thanks.x

[Sandrine (alias Didine ♥ )]

Absolutely perfetc ! Thanks for sharing :)
Is timtex can it be washed ?? Smooches from Belgium

[Sue]

i have long since admired your boxes....and everytime i see a canvas box at a store I think of yours and they just don't compare. (yours being superior!) Thanks for the tutorial...Handmade is totally the way to go.

[Jessica]

I am going to print your tutorial and very carefully give one of those boxes a try. Thank you for sharing.

[amisha]

this tutorial is amazing... thank you so much! now to lay my hands on some timtex.

[earthchick]

WOW! - thanks for the excellent tute. Very kind and generous of you to share.

[hannah]

this might make me get off my butt and do something. maybe.

[Kristin]

Great tutorial! Thank you so much! I think these would be nice for my daughter's wee little pieces (teeny doll shoes, hair clips, etc.)

[Sarah]

Thank you for this tutorial! Ever since I saw these on your site, I've been scouring the internet for some guidance on how to make them.

[tanaya]

Thank you (I think) for posting that link for Timtex. I'm a VERY new sewer, and have been wanting to try out some patterns that I have that use Timtex. I only ever saw it in tiny packages. So, I just placed an order (SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on me!!!) for a whole bolt of the 22" timtex. Yikes...88 dollars later I'm remember my goal not to buy anything new this year!

AND, thank you for the tute. Great explanation!

[Alisa]

I second Sarah. I've been wanting to make one (or 20) of these for a long long time. I can think of so many ways to use fabric boxes.

And do I understand this right? The timtex goes all the way around the sides but the bottom of the box has no interfacing?

[stickchick]

Great tutorial!! I was just craving some of these beauties and balking at the prices (and the whole didn't match anything sucked too).

Thank you, thank you!! Awesome job!!