How to Cover a Shoebox

Covering a shoebox with fabric

Choose the fabric. Select fabric that matches with your décor or storage area. It can be fabric you already own or you might wish to purchase fabric especially for the project.

Cut the fabric covering to size. You'll need to cut the fabric for the narrow ends, the long sides and the lid, as follows: Measure the narrow ends of the shoebox, allowing for an equal overlap around the edges of 5cm/2 inches width and 7.5cm/3 inches to the depth. Using this measurement, cut two squares of fabric. Measure the sides of the shoebox, making the length just slightly short of the full side length and allowing for an overlap of 7.5cm/3 inches for the depth of each side. Using this measurement, cut two rectangles of fabric. Measure the lid. The measurement should be the same as the lid plus double the depth of the lid's sides. Cut a fabric rectangle to this dimension.

Cover the shoebox. Attach the end fabric pieces first. Ensuring that the fabric piece overlaps equally all of the way around, adhere it to the first end with fabric glue. At the corners, cut into the fabric to make vertical slits that will allow you to fold the fabric down around the corner. Spread the glue into the areas of overlap, then press down all the overlapping edges of the fabric, sticking the side overlaps first, then the top and finally, the base overlap. Be sure to smooth out the fabric as you go.

Attach the side pieces to the shoebox. Check that the overlap is equal. Glue the fabric to the sides, ensuring that the overlap is glued inside the box and under it. Be sure to smooth out the fabric as you go.

Attach the fabric to the box lid. Place the fabric facing wrong side up onto a flat surface. Apply glue to the shoebox lid, then carefully place it down onto the fabric, taking care to ensure that there is even overlap all of the way around the lid. Turn the lid over and smooth out the fabric. Cut the corner edges into a slit to make it easy to fold over the fabric. Then glue the overlap pieces over the sides and tuck them under to complete the cover.

Allow to dry thoroughly. Once dried, add embellishments if using, such as gluing on a bow, some buttons or drawing a design on the fabric with fabric markers or paint. Alternatively, simply leave the covered shoebox as it is. If you want to know what the box contains, glue on a fabric label and use a fabric marker or fabric paint to stencil on the word representing the contents.

Done. The fabric covered shoebox is now ready for using as storage. Items that will fit well inside include photos, jewelry, craft supplies, small bottles, perfumes, herbs and spices in their containers, clothes pins, and so forth.

Covering a shoebox with paper

Choose the paper. Find good quality wrapping paper. If the box is to be used for a gift, choose paper that suits the recipient. If the box is for storage of your items, choose paper with a pattern, design or color that you like.

Cut the paper covering to size. You'll need to cut the paper for the narrow ends, the long sides and the lid, as follows: Measure the narrow ends of the shoebox, allowing for an equal overlap around the edges of 5cm/2 inches width and 7.5cm/3 inches to the depth. Using this measurement, cut two squares of paper. Measure the sides of the shoebox, making the length just slightly short of the full side length and allowing for an overlap of 7.5cm/3 inches for the depth of each side. Using this measurement, cut two rectangles of paper. Measure the lid. The measurement should be the same as the lid plus double the depth of the lid's sides. Cut a paper rectangle to this dimension.

Cover the shoebox. Attach the end paper pieces first. Ensuring that the paper piece overlaps equally all of the way around, adhere it to the first end with paper glue. At the corners, cut into the fabric to make vertical slits that will allow you to fold the paper down. Spread the glue into the areas of overlap, then make a crisp crease to fold the paper down firmly over each of the overlapping edges of the box, sticking the side overlaps first, then the top and finally, the base overlap.

Attach the side pieces to the shoebox. Check that the overlap is equal. Glue the paper to the sides, ensuring that the overlap is glued inside the box and under it.

Attach the paper to the box lid. Place the paper facing wrong side up onto a flat surface. Apply glue to the shoebox lid, then carefully place it down onto the paper, taking care to ensure that there is even overlap all of the way around the lid.

Turn the lid over and smooth out the paper as needed. Cut the corner edges of the paper into a slit each side, to make it easy to fold it over the corner. Make very crisp creases to fold the overlap paper over, then glue the overlap pieces over the sides of the lid, tucking them under to complete the cover.

Allow to dry thoroughly. Once dried, add embellishments if using, such as gluing on a ribbon or burlap bow, drawing a design or gluing on some ribbon. Alternatively, simply leave the covered shoebox as it is. If you want to know the contents of the box, add a paper label and neatly write or stencil on the word describing the contents. Using a calligraphy pen is another option for an elegant flair.

Done. The paper covered shoebox is now ready for using as storage. Items that will fit well inside include photos, jewelry, craft supplies, small bottles, perfumes, herbs and spices in their containers, clothes pins, and so forth.