Plastic Canvas and Fabric

Fluffy gift boxes

Jun 1, 2007

This is a takeoff on the traditional plastic canvas but you will quickly see it is nothing like grandmother used to make.

This project is unusual for a number of reasons. First you will notice how few materials are needed. Normally this would only require a purchase of two large sheets of plastic canvas because the rest of the items are things from around the house. This makes it one of the most cost effective projects we have ever done together. Even if you don’t have scrap fabric, you can use outgrown clothes or clothing items beyond repair. I like to keep items that were special on my child that are now too worn to pass down but too sentimental to just throw out and recycle them into a project like this so I can still have my memories that that color or pattern recall.

Cut the fabric into five-inch lengths with a width of approximately ¾ of an inch. There is nothing exacting in this project. The ruler is only there for the structured crafters who get stressed when things aren’t perfect. I can’t tell you how many to cut because it will depend on how fluffy you want your box. Let’s just say lots for the moment because you can always cut more as needed.

For this project we will be using the same pieces for the box as we did previously. From one sheet of the plastic canvas, cut a rectangle 8” x 6”. Now cut two strips 8” x 3” and two strips 6” x 3”. This is the base and sides of the box.

Take the 8” x 6” box bottom and line up one of the long sides. Now using one of the strips of fabric push the fabric through both layers of plastic and tie at the edge in a knot. Do not trim. Repeat all the way across and with each of the other three sides. You will now have four side connected to the floor of your box but not to each other at the sides of the box. Repeat the same process on the sides. Now fill in everything in between the same way using the strips of fabric.

Using the measurements for the bottom rectangle, add one grid row on the top and side edge. Cut rectangle. Now use this length for the length of your sidepieces. They should measure approx. 8 ¼” x 1” and 6 ¼” x 1”.

Repeat the same process as the box until entire surface is covered. Attach a really funky embellishment to the top and you are good to go.

The copyright of the article Plastic Canvas and Fabric in Crafts is owned by Mary Welling-Bonney. Permission to republish Plastic Canvas and Fabric in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.