With a new year comes organisation. I’m looking at updating my crochet and knitting storage and with that comes the need for more streamlined sorting out. So rather than spend £5 out on a specifically sized file or wait 3/4 weeks for a cheap Chinese copy I decided to use what I had and make a custom size magazine file that perfectly fits my shelf.

I decided as I had no other cardboard and didn’t want to pay out for special materials I’d use the classic cereal box. This is a perfect shape for this as eliminates the need to actually make the box.
For my shelf I measured along the back edge which resulted in 10.25 inches. I then measured 5 inches on the opposite edge and joined them up. Repeat on other side and join up the lines along front and back edges and cut out.

Next up you need something to cover. You could cover with plain paper or a thin layer of papier-mache to paint over, book cloth is an option for something a little more upmarket or you could nip to your local DIY shop and get an off cut of wallpaper.
Lay your new file down on it’s back (tallest edge) onto your paper so the outer edge is about 1 cm from edge (1) then keeping the box on that edge mark around remembering to add extra 1 cm on other outer edge. Flip the box to continue mark the base and front section (2). You are aiming to end up with a strip of paper that is wider than the box back/edge/front and slightly longer too.
Lay it on its side and trace round only adding extra to top slanted edge, repeat for other side remembering you need two sides that are mirrored and not the same. (3)
Once you have your pieces cut out lay the front or back of your box onto the strip so there’s 1 cm either side and above the edge. Mark where the corner is then glue from the edge to that mark (4)

Once glued and stuck down with the extra still unstuck snip down at first edge as shown (5) then fold the sticky edge inside the box. (7) Do the same at the corner snipping in enough so you can turn the edges up. (6) You may need to lay box down and press down from inside. Repeat to base and back so you end up with picture 8. on both sides.

We need to now cover one side in glue and match up edges at bottom and the side with extra at the top(9). Fold the excess inside the box and repeat for other side. Again you may need to press from the inside to make it really stick.
I then had some Washi tape which I found in the decorating section. You will need to only stick half of it down so it can be wrapped round (10). I started at the front (shorter edge) by sticking it down along outside (11) trimming along bottom but leaving extra at top. Carefully stick to front of box and pop excess inside box. Next you will need to stick the top along back and base of box but on the outer corner so it doesn’t bend. Snip down at the corner so you can smooth down the back then the base neatly. (12)

I added extra tape inside the box largely to neaten but mainly to help secure the paper. (14) I used normal craft glue stick but put lots on and it stuck fine. You can use PVA or other glue but may take long to dry.
Be sure to only use what need as can see from my photo (13) if you use too much you end up unsightly overlap. I enjoyed myself so much I made two.

I also decided my sons games needed a better place after putting all our DVDs in a folder the games were floating about on the shelf.

I used a bigger box for this so first up was to tape up the open top (1 above). Next job I measured about 9 cm from the corner and joined them up like picture 3. I then cut the lines out but didn’t remove excess. I then stuck the excess down inside the box to give it sturdier sides (2). I made the sides slightly slanted so it was less like a box or tray. I only measured down at the front 3 cm but you may want more or less.

I debated how to go about covering this so opted for placing the box in middle of my paper a bit like wrapping a present. I then drew lines from the edge of the short side to paper edge (1 above). I did same other side.
I then filed it up stuck it along the side and folded it inside. For the front and back I folded the excess so it was in line with the box edge (2 above) and again stuck it to the side and inside the box. I had a lot of excess so I trimmed it down or it’ll get messy folding inside.(3)
I then cut a rectangle 1 cm larger than the base. (4 above). I folded the edge under by 1 cm and stuck it inside (1 below)

The edging of the box once stuck looks neat but I enjoy using my tape so stuck with the theme of finishing edges off like I did for my red ones (2 above) I included tape inside too.
The finished product needs filling but it’s a great tray to keep the controller in too and is perfect height for the unit it’s sat on (4 above)
i used brown paper to cover this one which worked well and was pliable enough for wrapping whilst not being see through and it’s sturdy.
I can’t wait to see what you make why not share it on the Facebook page.

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