Making a paper-recycling tote

By Monica Ewing, Sunset senior designer

Ever need something that you're sure exists, but once you go looking for it, you come up empty? I searched for a bin in which to toss all my paper recycling (let's face it: junk mail). And I wanted it to fit on the bottom pull-out shelf of my not-so-attractive-but-necessary microwave cart. Found zilch. So I made my own out of a cardboard box and fabric. It's not exactly pretty, but it's oh-so-handy, and it only cost me $16.

Supplies:
Cardboard moving box (I found the perfect size at The Container Store)
Craft glue (I used Aleene's Tacky Glue)
1 1/2 yards of fabric (I used cotton duck cloth)
3 1/2 yards nylon strapping
1 yard half-and-half hook-and-loop tape (one side you stick on, the other side you sew on)
Erasable fabric marker
Yard stick
Straight pins
Thread (to match fabric and straps)

Step 1: Assemble the box
First, I glued the bottom flaps in place, then glued the top flaps down against the inside. I placed heavy books on each side for a half hour while the glue dried.

Step 2: Measure & cut the fabric
I measured the box, then added 1/4 inch to all the measurements. I wanted to use just one piece of fabric to cover the sides and bottom, so the drawing of the piece looks like a plus sign. I added 1/2 an inch inseam all the way around the edges, and 4 inches height (for overlap) to each side. (Click the sketch to see it larger.) Then I measured and marked the fabric, and cut it out.

Tip #1: This fabric cover is designed to be removable and washable, so pre-wash and iron your fabric to reduce shrinkage.

Step 3: Sew the cover
I pinned and sewed each of the four sides together. Then I folded over the top edge about 5/8 inch, and sewed it down. Next I cut the hook-and-loop tape into four sections—each a few inches shorter than the corresponding side of the box where it would be placed. Then I sewed each non-sticky piece of hook-and-loop tape onto each side of the fabric cover, about 1/2  inch from the top.

Step 4: Sew on the straps
I slipped the cover over the box, then measured and pinned the straps in place. Next I removed the cover and sewed the straps on.

Step 5: Cover box & apply hook-and-loop tape
I slid the cover back on the box. Then I attached the sticky side of the hook-and-loop tape to the sewn-on side, and removed the backing. I pulled the cover tight, and pressed down on the hook-and-loop tape to make it stick to the box. Voilà. It's done.

Here are more ways to go green.
And here's another fabulous tote by J. Caroline Creative. So cute!