Inside: A no-sew tutorial to make handy DIY denim fabric storage boxes.

Every day I pick up “bits and bobs” around the house, and I am never sure where to put them. Therefore I decided to make a fun DIY storage box for this random stuff with no home, using old jeans and a cardboard box.

I covered two boxes in denim and made them more fun by stencilling some words onto them, just like I did with my denim draught excluders.

I stencilled one DIY storage box with the word “BITS” and the other “BOBS”. “Bits and bobs” is a popular term for random stuff in the UK.

This was an Ikea hack, as I used two Ikea Pingla boxes for this project.

How to Make A Denim Storage Box an Ikea Pingla Hack

I could’ve used any old cardboard box, but the Ikea ones were the size I wanted (not too deep). They come in a pack of two. This was perfect as it ensured I had two matching storage boxes.

I got the idea from some fabric-wrapped storage boxes I’d seen on Pinterest. However, I wanted to add more to my DIY storage box by lining it (like my vintage map suitcase) and adding a fun stencil.

This is a cheap and easy way to get some fun, handy, stylish storage for your “Bits and Bobs”. All you need is one pair of old jeans for this denim upcycle.

This denim craft is also featured under the letter B in the list of A to Z of denim crafts.

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What you need to make a Denim DIY storage box

• Ikea Pingla Storage Box – You can use other cardboard boxes of a similar size.
• Pair of adult jeans
• Repositionable Spray Mount Adhesive
• Fabric for the lining – You can use a lovely craft fabric, an old shirt, or burlap. I used a yellow patterned craft fabric.
• Bulldog clips or clothes pegs.
• Needle and thread.
• Letter Stencils
• White Acrylic Paint
• Small paintbrush

How to Make A Denim DIY Storage Box

Step 1: Firstly, if using an Ikea Pingla box, make it according to the instructions on the base. (Don’t bother making the lid. You will need this later)

Step 2: Next, measure the circumference of the box and the height. Then cut the legs of your jeans to fit.

I cut along the seam line of the jeans; it will give you a nice edge on the base of the DIY storage box. You want the width of your jeans to be at least an inch more than the height of the box.

One jean leg will not be long enough to wrap around the box, so you must sew two together.

Step 3: To make two denim handles for your DIY storage box, cut the waistband off the jeans and cut two pieces about 15cm (6 inches) in length.

Wrap the jeans leg around the box (don’t glue at this stage but use clips to hold it in place) and mark where the handles will go. Fix the waistband handles to the leg using a grommet tool like a Crop-A-Dile, or stitch them on.

Step 4: You can fix the denim to the cardboard box next. Spray the cardboard box with the adhesive, and wrap the jeans around the box as you go.

We are ensuring that the leg’s seam is flush with the bottom. Use bulldog clips or clothes pegs to hold it as the glue dries. Trim the overlap inside.

How to line your DIY storage box

As my storage box was designed to be visible, I lined it with a pretty fabric. The method I used to line it was the same as the one I used for my No-Sew Denim Suitcase upcycle.

If you want a more rustic look, you could use burlap (hessian) to line your box. I have also similarly lined a festive wicker hamper.

 Step 1: First, I cut my lining fabric to the circumference and height of my box. I was allowing for a seam allowance and some overlap. You may need to sew two pieces of fabric together to get one long enough.

Step 2: Then, fold over the top edge of the fabric to make a small hem, and iron it flat. Attach the material to the inside of the box using the spray adhesive. 

3. Next, cut the cardboard meant for the lid so that it fits just inside the base of the box. Again use the spray adhesive to cover one side of the cardboard with your lining fabric and place it inside the box.

Stencilling the denim DIY storage boxes

I love to add personality to my crafts and upcycles, and one of the ways I do this is by stencilling words onto them.

As these boxes were for my “Bits and Bobs”, I stencilled BITS on one side and BOBs on the other. You can, of course, stencil what you like. You may want to put “STUFF” or “THINGS” on the side of the box.

I used individual letter stencils and white acrylic paint to stencil my words onto the box. I used a small brush with a dabbing motion.

If you are wondering what to do with the leftover pockets of jeans, you could save them and make my top-rated Denim Pocket Organizer or my iPhone Denim Pocket Pillow. There are also many more denim storage ideas here.

Find more denim painting tips here.

Check out these upcycled old wooden crates and DIY magazine holders for more storage ideas. You can also use denim scraps to make some denim DIY pen pots.