How to Cover Chinese Take Out Boxes
Chinese takeout boxes, which are available at craft stores, make unique purses or other containers when covered with fabric. In addition to purses, you can use smaller boxes for wedding favors, covering them in the wedding colors for one-of-a-kind gifts to the guests. You can use them for other parties or for clever gift boxes that are part of the gift. Personalizing them with beads, ribbons or other decorations will make them even more of a treasure. This project is perfect for kids, too, because it can be done with inexpensive materials in one afternoon.
Things You'll Need
- Quart-size Chinese takeout box
- 1/2 yard fabric
- Iron
- Tailor's chalk
- Scissors
- Adhesive spray
- Craft glue
- Velcro
Instructions
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1
Remove the wire handle from the takeout box. Unfold the box and lay it flat.
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2
Spread out the fabric on a level work surface. Iron out any wrinkles.
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3
Position the flattened box on the fabric. Trace an outline of the box with tailor's chalk that is a 1/2-inch larger than the box.
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4
Cut out the fabric along the chalk outline.
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5
Spray the outside of the takeout box with adhesive.
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6
Place the flattened box, adhesive side down, on the back of the fabric cutout. Work from the middle to the outside to avoid wrinkles. If wrinkles occur, try to immediately reposition the box before the glue dries.
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7
Glue the 1/2-inch border of fabric to the inside of the flattened box with craft glue. Clip the corners at a 45-degree angle to make them lay flat. Glue the fabric over the insert part of the lid to make square corners. Since you will be using Velcro to close the box, you will not need the insert.
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8
Punch a hole for the handle through the fabric with the scissors. Glue the fabric down around the hole to keep it from fraying.
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9
Refold the box and reinsert the wire handle.
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10
Glue Velcro to the lid pieces to make the closure.
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1
Tips & Warnings
A 1/2-yard of fabric covers two quart-size takeout boxes, three pint-size boxes, or 4 half-pint boxes. While 1/4-yard covers one box, use 1/2-yard of fabric because 1/4-yard will not be wide enough.
You can also use tissue paper or wrapping paper to cover the box.
Bead the wire handle for more decoration.
Use ribbon or satin cord for a handle instead of the wire by inserting the ribbon or cord through the holes and gluing the ends to the inside of the box.
Decorate the finished box with any kind of trim such as fringe, ribbon, charms or glitter. Simply glue it on.
Use cotton fabric. Do not use knits and satins because they make it difficult to avoid wrinkles.
