I’m addicted to making fabric storage bins. How about you?
I made smaller versions of these last year and have always wanted larger ones. I finally had a few free hours to work on the pattern and get a few made. I love how they turned out and how they look with the top edge rolled down. And they are reversible too!
Wouldn’t they make an awesome baby shower or house warming gift? Fill it with a bunch of goodies and you are good to go..The only problem I see is that if you make one to give as a gift, you may decide to keep it at the last moment. I’ve done this before.
The finished size is 8.5″L x 9″W x 7″H
Supplies Needed:
- Cotton fabric outside – 1/2 yard
- Cotton fabric lining – 1/2 yard
- Pellon Décor-Bond 809 – 1 yard
- Sewing machine and related supplies
- Rotary cutter, cutting mat, quilting rotary cutting ruler
- Disappearing ink pen
- Iron and ironing board
Before we get started, you will need to complete the following:
- Cut your fabric – cut 2 rectangles measuring 18″ x 24″ from the outside and lining fabrics. Repeat and cut another 2 rectangles from the Pellon Décor-Bond 809.
- Fuse the Décor-Bond to the wrong side of the main and lining fabrics.
Alright, let’s get sewing your simple fabric bin!
- Fold the rectangle in half, to measure 18″ x 12.” Pin along sides if needed. Place into sewing machine and stitch with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
- Press side seams while closed. Open and press again.
- Sew those boxed corners! Start with the main fabric. Wiggle the fabric around so that the side seams are facing upwards. Make a point and also make sure that the sides sit at a 45 degree angle. Finger press any wrinkles out. Measure 4″ upwards from the tip and mark a dashed line with a disappearing ink pen. Pin. Place into sewing machine and stitch following the dashed line. Backstitch. Repeat for the other side and again for the lining fabric.
- Place the quilting ruler onto the corner. Lay the ruler so you have a 1/2″ seam allowance. Cut along the ruler edge using a rotary cutter [ you will cut the tip off]. Repeat for the other side and again for the lining fabric.
- Turn project so they sit as bins. Main bin is facing right side in and lining bin is facing right side out. Place the lining bin into the main bin. Wiggle the corners into place. Make sure side seams match up. Pin around the top edge. Place into the sewing machine and stitch together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Leave a 4″ opening near a side seam. Press with an iron.
- Gently pull the bin through the 4″ opening.
- Wiggle the fabric into place. Roll down top edge to sit into place and make sure all corners match. Press along top edge with an iron, turn the 4″ opening seam allowance under. Press in place. Pin if needed. Place into the sewing machine and edgestitch along the entire top edge.
- Press the bin with an iron.
That’s it! Easy right? Well I have great news.. This project is available over at the Pellon Projects website. Click here to head on over to get the PDF. You can save the tutorial and print it later.
Want to sew other reversible projects? How about a great everyday bag? Click here for my Reversible Tote Tutorial.
Fabric reference.. I LOVE this fabric. I bought a bunch of coordinating fabric from this collection. It is from Moda Fabrics and called “Shades of Black” by Me and My Sister Designs.
I love to store my stuff in boxes like those. I use them in the bathroom for my shampoos and shower gels, and I have one for my perfumes. Everything is very well organized and stored in a nice way:)
These could also be made out of “plabric” (fused plastic bags). For a eco-friendly version.
These could also be made out of “plabric” (fused plastic bags) for at least one of the sides. For a eco-friendly and also water-proof version.
Well, I hope you see this and reply back. I was wondering how to make a bigger box. Is there a formula to how much fabric to cut? I love how easy this is!
Hi Ido
The 18 inch x 24 inch makes the L: 8.5 inch x W: 9 inch x H: 7 inch size box. I’m going to increase that by making the 18 inch into 24 inch and the 24 inch into 30 inch, adding 6 inches to each measurement. I’m going to make a usable toile first and see what the finished size is. They will be great for a bathroom and I will line them with rip stop instead of fabric.
Hope this helps.
Cee Jay/defunct britain.
Thank you, Thank you Cee Jay!! I appreciate your responding to Ido Walker..
Did you ever make larger ones? I am interested in making some 11 x 10.5 x 10.5 and I’m not sure what size rectangle I need
What were the dimensions of your finished storage bin by adding 6 inches?
Thank you for the very easy tutorial. I made this box for office supplies on my desk since I use a table without a drawer.
Hi – Thanks for letting me know about your project! 🙂 I would love to see images if you want to share via email or Instagram..
Hello. I have made several of your fabric storage bins so far & I love them!! Thank you for sharing your pattern 🙂 I would like to make an extra large bin but I don’t know how much fabric I need to cut. I’ve converted the size from centimetres into inches so I would like my bin to be 16″ L x 9″ W x 8″ H. Can you tell me what size to cut my rectangle of fabric or how to calculate the size I need & also how much do I cut out of the corners please? Thank you.
Hi Julie,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. We have a 6 month old baby in the house and things have been busy. Question on your bin dimensions.. Do you want a rectangular bin? Just to make sure I’m reading correctly – the dimension you have would make a rectangle [ 16″ L x 9″ W] and the bin would not be that tall [ 8″].. Pls let me know
Marni
awesome tutorial! One question: are these washable or would that ruin the shape? Thanks in advance for your response!
Hi there. Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment. I would also love to see images of your finished project! They should be washable as they are fabric and interfacing. However, they are deloicate, so I would had wash with mild detergent. Let me know how it goes – Marni
At last a pattern I don’t have to purchase thank you so much
I’m so glad you found this tutorial! You will love this fabric bin. It’s fun and easy. Let me know how it goes and I would love to see finished images. If you share on social media, pls tag #haberdasheryfun and/or #haberdasheryfunpatterns
Have a great day – Marni
Hi
Thank’s for this great pattern. Just made my first one. Very easy to follow instructions. Will be making more as I’m addicted.
Thank you for letting me know! aren’t they fun to make?
Hello….I love these but always have like a bit of a brain glitch when it comes to putting things together. If I read the instructions right, do I fuse the interfacing on both pieces, the outer fabric and the lining? Or just the outer fabric? I’m a bit confused.
Thank you so much!
Janet
Hello,
You can do either. If you want a sturdier bin, I would suggest using interfacing on both the outside and inside. Make sure to put on the wrong side of the fabric