How to Make a Velvet Liner for Dressers

Make dresser liners from velvet to protect your delicate clothing.

Protect your clothes by making velvet liners for your dresser drawers. Unlined wood frequently has rough patches that can snag your sweaters, stockings and fine lingerie. Paper liners are better than nothing, but they wrinkle and tear with use. Velvet looks and feels luxurious, it's durable and wears well. In addition, it's thick enough to cushion even your most delicate clothing.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Paper
• Cardboard
• Straight edge
• Scissors
• White craft glue
• Water
• Mixing cup
• Stirring stick
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Sketch a rectangle for each dresser drawer you plan to line. Measure all four interior sides of each drawer bottom; drawers aren't always perfect rectangles. Note each measurement on your sketch, next to its corresponding drawer and location.

2. Subtract an eighth of an inch from each measurement for the first drawer. Mark the four corners on a large piece of cardboard. Connect the marks with a straight edge. Cut out the cardboard rectangle. Place the cardboard in the bottom of the drawer to make sure it fits, and then make any necessary adjustments.

3. Add 5 inches to both the length and width of your cardboard rectangle. Cut a piece of velvet fabric to those measurements. Lay the velvet right side down on a flat surface, and smooth any wrinkles. Center the cardboard rectangle on the back of the fabric.

4. Mix equal parts white craft glue and water. Brush a thin, even layer of the glue mixture onto the exposed border of fabric surrounding the cardboard.

5. Fold the corners of the glue-covered fabric over the cardboard; all four corners should point toward the center of the cardboard rectangle. Press the corner flaps flat against the cardboard. Fold the top, bottom and both sides of the glue-covered fabric over the cardboard. Add additional glue as needed as you fold the sides over the corner flaps. Let the glue dry for at least one hour.

6. Turn your drawer liner right side up, and place it in the designated drawer. Repeat Steps 2 through 6 for each additional drawer you plan to line.

Tips & Warnings

• Fine furniture manufacturers sometimes wax the insides of dresser drawers. Before inserting your velvet liner, rub the interior walls of your drawers with a broken scented candle or a chunk of beeswax. The wax protects your clothes by coating the wood's rough areas, and the scent keeps them smelling fresh.

• Resist the temptation to simply glue velvet to the bottom of the drawer. You'll have a messy glue residue if you ever remove the liner, and it could decrease the value of an antique dresser.

References

• Lyn Kirksey; Swifton Middle School Art Department; Swifton, Arkansas

Resources

• Fashion-Era: Velvet and Pile Fabrics - With Nap - Without Nap