Make Fabric Gift Boxes

Every year during the holidays I make "goodies" as gifts for my family and friends. I am always looking for ideas to package these gifts that looks really special. A few years ago, I came up with this idea for small boxes. The size that I show here is perfect for giving homemade candy.

You may need to make a couple of "trial" boxes before you get them perfect.

Cotton or quilting weight fabric
Cutting mat
Bowl
White glue
Fabric stiffener
rotary cutting tool (I found this works better than trying to mark and cut the fabric)
Folding tool (I use a clay sculpturing too. You can also use a paintbrush, dowel or even a pencil)
Iron
Ironing board
Ruler (I used a square)

Cut squares of fabric approximately 11" X 11". Don't worry about being exact yet. We will trim this down. I like this size for candies.

Mix glue, fabric stiffener, and water. I use about equal parts of each. You may want to test a couple of swatches to see how stiff the fabric turns out when it dries. Adjust the amount of glue and fabric stiffener until your test pieces come out the way you want them. This will vary according to the weight of your fabric, size of box, and how stiff you want the box to be.

Hang the fabric pieces to dry. I put a curtain rod across my bathtub to hang the fabric on for drying.

Tip: If you want your boxes to be really stiff, "double dip" the fabric. When I am making boxes that need a "cardboard-like" texture, I will dip the fabric and allow it to dry. Then I will dip it again.

When the fabric has dried, iron the pieces of fabric on a high setting.

Trim the fabric pieces into squares. 10" X 10". This size will be about a 4" box. You can use just about any size. Just make sure your fabric is cut square for this type of box.

1. Place the fabric face up and fold in half. Open the fabric and turn 90 degrees and fold in half again. Open and turn over. This makes a mountain fold.

2. Using the mountain fold lines as guides, fold the four corners of the fabric into the center. At this point, I iron the fabric again.

1. Fold opposite sides to the center. Using your folding tool, crease the fold. Unfold this last step and turn your material.

Fold the other two (opposites) side to the center and crease again.

2. Unfold the fabric as shown.

3. Fold opposite sides (along creases already made) as shown and crease the fold with your tool.

1. Now put your finger behind point A and do a reverse fold as shown.

2. Fold the tuck down to the inside of the box.

3. Do the same for point B and crease your folds. One side of the box will be formed as you do this.

4. Turn the box around and repeat the sequence on the opposite side. You now have the bottom of your box.

5. Now tuck in the flap as shown to form one end of the box.

6. Crease the edges of your box.

The bottom of your box is complete!

Repeat these steps for the box lid with one exception:

1. When folding in the sides of the box as shown in step 5, fold in about 1/4" from the center. This creates a top for your box that is slightly larger than the bottom and will fit nicely over your bottom piece.

Now your box is ready to fill with treats or other surprises.

When I am filling these with my homemade candy, I cut a square (to fit the bottom of the box) of parchment paper to line the bottom. Then I tie them up with a pretty bow.