Fabric Storage Box - Easy DIY Tutorial

Introduction: 

This tutorial covers a cover for the IKEA DRÖNA box, which fits into any KALLAX shelving unit. In principle, these sewing instructions can also be applied to any other cube-shaped box—though, naturally, the dimensions would need to be adjusted accordingly. 

The cover is suitable for beginners, as it essentially only requires joining three pieces of fabric together. Consequently, these instructions are relatively concise rather than overly detailed. 

Preparation: 

The pattern is designed for thin to medium-weight cotton fabrics or poplin. If the fabric is too thick, it will not drape neatly around the corners and edges, and the overall look will be too rigid. 

My advice: Simply hold the fabric up against the box to test it. For this tutorial, I used standard cotton fabric. You will also need a DRÖNA box with the following dimensions: L x W x H = 37 x 32 x 33 cm.

You will need the following materials:
- Cotton fabric (red): 140 x 26 cm
- Cotton fabric (blue): 140 x 12 cm
- Cotton fabric (white): 140 x 13 cm
These measurements already include the seam and hem allowances (0.7 cm
seam allowance & 2.5 cm hem).
- OPTIONAL: Decorative ribbons, appliqués, pom-pom trim, etc., for embellishment.

The Pattern:
Cut out all the fabric panels according to the dimensions provided above. It is best to use the full width of the fabric.
If the fabric width is not sufficient, you can, for example, sew two pieces together—each half the width of the fabric.

Of course, you can also make your box in a single color by using just one large piece of fabric. Alternatively, you can create a multi-colored box by using more than three fabric panels—feel free to get creative and follow your own taste! A patchwork-style box (made from many small squares) would also be a great option. 

OPTIONAL (1) 

Finish the edges of all fabric strips all the way around using a zigzag stitch. (Alternatively, you can use an overlock machine, which will finish the edges automatically while sewing the pieces together.) 

OPTIONAL (2) 

If you would like to add piping or trim between the seams for decoration, you must sew it onto the individual fabric strips BEFORE joining the strips together. 

Place your red and blue fabric strips right sides together and sew them along one long edge using a 0.7 cm seam allowance (SA). 

 

Option 1: Press both seam allowances downward onto the red fabric and topstitch them from the outside—i.e., from the right side— (using a decorative stitch). 

 

Option 2: Press the seam allowances open, so that the blue seam allowance lies against the blue fabric strip and the red seam allowance lies against the red fabric strip.

Now place the white strip of fabric onto your blue fabric strip (which is already attached to the red strip) and sew the two pieces together along one long side, using a 0.7 cm seam allowance. Here, too, you can choose one of the two options mentioned above.

This is what the three strips of fabric look like from the wrong side. (Please don’t let it bother you that, in the photo, I pressed the seam allowances upward rather than downward. Nowadays, I would either press them open or press them downward and topstitch them from the outside.)

And this is the outer side (or the right side of the fabric). If you would like to add appliqués, woven ribbons, or anything similar, now is the right time to do so.

Now, place the two short sides together—right sides facing each other—and sew them together using a straight stitch. Afterward, it’s a good idea to double-check the fit and ensure that the fabric tube actually fits well around the box. If everything looks right, you can proceed to hemming.

First, hem the bottom (red) section of the cover. To do this, fold the entire bottom edge inward by 1 cm and press it in place. Then, fold it inward again by 1.5 cm and press it once more. 

Check against your box to ensure the height of the cover is correct—that is, make sure the blue fabric panel aligns with the top edge of the box. You may need to adjust the fold—making it slightly more or less than 1.5 cm—if necessary. 

Topstitch along the entire edge from the right side (the outer side) using a straight stitch. (You can also use a decorative stitch if you prefer.)

Now repeat the process for the top side (the white side) of your cover. Fold the edge inward by 1 cm, then fold it inward again by 1.5 cm, and stitch it in place from the right side (the outer side). 

You do not need to double-check anything here, as it is only on the outer side that the length—or height—needs to be precise.

This is what the finished, sewn, and hemmed fabric tube—or cover— looks like.

To pull it onto the box, the white part is folded inward.

Finally, pull the cover onto the box and check that everything is positioned correctly. After that, you can simply place the box back into the KALLAX shelving unit as usual.

OPTIONAL: In my case, the red polka-dot fabric for the box was 1 cm too short. It wouldn’t have been enough, and the cover would have been under far too much tension. Since I really wanted to use that specific fabric, I sewed in a piece of bias tape as a connector.  

Although only the red section was too short, I extended the bias tape along the entire height for the sake of the overall look. We always position this connecting piece at the back of the box, so it’s not noticeable at all.

This is what your finished shelf could look like. I hope you have lots of fun recreating it, mixing and matching fabrics and colors, and simply being creative. Enjoy!