Okay, so I wanted some magazine files for my IKEA Expedit unit.
The magazine files I saw in stores were either plain cardboard or very expensive. Since I wanted 6, I didn’t want to spend $20 on each.
My solution was to buy two packs of the corrugated cardboard FLYT magazine files from Ikea. The files come in packs of 5, and each pack is only $1.99.
I assembled the magazine files, and away I went:
1. Cut out a piece of card board the same size as the base of the magazine file.
2. Insert cardboard into bottom of magazine file–this will keep the bottom from collapsing.
3. Trace around the magazine file on a long sheet of paper (I used parchment paper from the roll). Add an additional inch to all sides. Cut out to form your pattern.
4. Lay pattern on fabric and cut out. I had enough for two magazine files with just a 1/2 yard of fabric.
5. Wrap the fabric around the magazine file to center it. There should be 1 inch of extra fabric around the outside of the magazine file.
6. Carefully unwrap the magazine file, marking where the corners of the magazine file spine hit the fabric.
7. Apply glue to the long edges of the magazine file. I used fabric glue.
8. Place spine of magazine file onto fabric aligning with the marks you made earlier. Then apply glue to the left and right edges of the short side of the magazine file.
9. Pull fabric around sides of magazine file.
10. Pull fabric over edge.
11. Fold other end of fabric so that the folded edge meets the corner of the magazine box.
12. Glue down folded edge.
13. Turn magazine file over. Spread glue on the two long sides of the bottom of the magazine file. Fold fabric over into the glue.
14. Then affix fabric on the short ends.
15. This will create mitered corners. Keep pressure on the glued fabric until it adheres.
16. Clip curved edges of excess fabric. Clip almost all the way to edge of magazine file.
17. This image shows the clipped fabric.
18. Apply glue to the inside of the magazine file. Pull fabric taut, and press clipped fabric into the glue.
19. The clips will fan open, hugging the curve.
20. Apply glue to the inside of the magazine file on the short edges.
21. Fold the excess fabric and press into glue.
22. You’re almost done now!
23. Use single fold bias tape to cover raw edges in the inside of the magazine file.
24. Apply glue to the bias tape.
25. Starting near an interior corner, apply bias tape to cover raw edges of fabric.
26. Because the tape is cut on the bias, you can easily manipulate it to follow the curves without puckering or folding.
27. When you reach your starting point, fold over end of bias tape and adhere over the tape where you started. I like to end in the corner.
Next time: Affixing label holders/finger pulls…
4 Comments
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For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.
—Carl Sagan
Thanks, this is an awesome idea! Your instructions make it easy enough for a klutz like me to put one together too! Thanks so much for posting this.
You know, it is hard to make your house look homey on a budget closer to 0 then I’d like but people like you make it possible! Thank you!
Great tutorial!
Wow. Excellent! And beautifully made!