How To Sew A Fabric Bin

I have always loved storage bins and have been sewing them for years. This mini bin is perfect for your desk and will hold all your little goodies.

The finished size is 5-½”L x 4-½”W x 5-½”H. You can roll the top edge down.. So make sure to use bright and colorful fabric for the lining.

Did you know that bins are super easy to make? Depending on your sewing skills, you can make this bin in under an hour. All you need is two rectangular pieces of fabric, a little bit sewing experience and you’re done! This project is perfect for a beginner sewer.

Materials Needed:

1. Fabric – 2 colors of cotton, linen or cotton canvas
2. Fusible Interfacing – Pellon SF 101 Shape-Flex
3. Creative grids quilting ruler
4. Olfa Rotary Cutter
5. Cutting Mat
6. Pen or “Clover” quilt marking pen. Have you tried this chalk pen? It’s one of my favorite tools. Try it, you will love it.
7. Sewing machine and sewing supplies
8. Iron and ironing board

Let’s get sewing:

Step 1 – Sew the Sides of the Storage Bin

1. Exterior and lining fabric – Cut 2 pieces measuring 16″L x 10″W.  This measurement includes a 1/2″ seam allowance.  I fused interfacing to both the exterior and lining fabric to give it more structure and let the bin have the ability to stand up on its own.
2. Fusible Interfacing – Cut 2 pieces measuring 16″L x 10″W.
3. Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the exterior and lining fabric.
4. Fold rectangles in half. Right sides facing. When folded in half, the pieces should measure 8″L x 10″W.
5. Pin along each side and sew together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Backstitch at the top and bottom.
6. Press the seams. #1 )Press the side seams while flat. #2) Open the side seams and press again. #3) Press a small crease along the bottom. Note – These steps help for making the boxed corners and ensuring that the bottom is even on both sides.
7. Take your scissors and make a small clip into the side seam at each bottom edge. Do not cut into the stitch. This helps with making the boxed corners.

Step 2 – Create the Boxed Corners

1. Start with one side seam and bottom edge. Turn to face each other and pinch together. (Pinch the bottom seam to match the side seam). You want the crease that was created by the iron at the bottom seam to match the middle of the side seam. Pin in place.
2. Use your Creative Grids ruler and measure 1-1/2″ up from the point.  Note – Find the 45 degree angle on the ruler as well. Be as precise as possible. These measurements help to make the bottom square and even.
3. At the 1-1/2″ mark, make a line. Repeat for the other 3 corners. 
4. Place into sewing machine and sew along the line.
5. Bring the bin back to your work surface and trim off each corner piece. Leave a 1/2″ SA.
6. Take to your ironing board and press the side seams open.
7. Repeat for the other 3 corners. 

Step 3 – Finish the Bin

1. Leave the exterior bin right side facing in and make the lining right side facing out.
2. Place the lining fabric into the exterior fabric.
3. Adjust the side seams to match each other and adjust and wiggle the bin around so the corners sit together. Pin at the top edge.
4. Place into your sewing machine and sew around the top edge with a 1/2″ SA. Leave a 2″ – 3″ opening. Press the seam.
5. Take to your work surface and pull the pieces through the opening.
6. Wiggle the bin around. Place your hands into the bin and make the corners match. Finger press along the top edge. Turn the 2″- 3″ opening under and pin in place.
7. Bring to your ironing board and press the top edge to have a nice crisp edge.
8. Bring back to your sewing machine and topstitch around the top edge.

That’s it!

Ps – It’s hard to believe, but I blogged about my first storage bin 10 years ago! Crazy right? This blog post was developed from that post. Click Here to see that original post. Times flies.

Pps – This fabric was developed from a block print that I made in one of the workshops that I host. I first made the print, scanned it into the computer, created a print in illustrator and uploaded it to Spoonflower. Here is what the print initially looked like..

And here is a comparison of the two prints. Interested in block printing? You can join one of my workshops. Check the workshops tab for details. Interested in my Spoonflower fabric? You can access my shop on Spoonflower here.