DIY: Drawer Liners

As promised, I’ve got a fun DIY to share. I spent quite some time searching the web for unique drawer liners when I finally decided to make them myself. 
I found this fun fabric on sale and just had to buy it. I didn’t know what I would do with it, but after seeing how funky and fresh it was inside the dresser, I just knew a purpose had been found.
It’s not like many people will ever see the inside of my drawers, not to mention, I plan to have clothes and other odds and ends in the there, but details matter. It’s little hidden surprises like funky, scented drawer liners that puts a smile on my face.
What You Will Need:
Fabric (enough to cover drawer bottoms)
Liquid Fabric Stiffener
Mrs. Meyer’s Ironing Spray
Double Sided Tape or Spray Adhesive
Begin by diluting the Liquid Fabric Stiffener with water in a large bowl. 
Submerge fabric in the stiffener mixture until completely coated.

Ring all excess liquid from the fabric and then lay completely flat to dry. Once dry, the diluted fabric stiffener will make the fabric feel heavily starched, with the flexibility similar to cardstock paper. 

Before the fabric was completely dry, I sprayed it with Mrs. Meyer’s Lavender Ironing Spray and gave it a quick press with the iron to smooth out all of the wrinkles. 
At this point, the fabric will be dry and stiff, making it very easy to cut. Measure your drawer bottoms and cut fabric accordingly.
To secure fabric in the bottom of the drawers, you can either use double sided tape around the edges or a light application of spray adhesive. I chose to use the double sided tape so I can easily change the fabric later with no sticky residue.

Easy peezy lemon squeezy. Now I have darling drawer liners with the wonderful aroma of lavender. 
While searching for drawer liners, scented sachets and such, I stumbled upon many wonderful and clever ways to freshen up dresser drawers. Here are a few of my favorites:
  1. Place a new bar of scented soap in your drawer. Not only will it fill your drawer with a delightful smell, it will also give the soap time to dry out making it last much longer in the shower.
  2. Give drawers a fresh air fragrance by tucking a new dryer sheet under drawer liner or tape one to the back of each drawer.
  3. Have empty perfume bottles? Remove the cap and leave the empty bottle open in your drawer, your clothes will thank you.
  4. Save perfume samples from magazines. It’s and easy and free way to freshen up a drawer.
Do you have any tips or tricks you would like to add? What’s your secret to great smelling drawers?
Photos by KHJ + CMJ

Posted 2/24/11, Topic: DIY

  • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
    February 24, 2011 at 12:26 am |

    I love this idea! So much easier than fussing with drawer liners made of sticky paper. I've never lined my drawers because it has seemed so tedious, but this I think I might try! Do you mind if I snag one picture for my blog and direct everyone to your instructions? They are too fabulous not to share with as many people as possible.

  • Jessica@SewHomegrown
    February 24, 2011 at 7:31 am |

    LOVE it – I'm going to link to it today!

  • {BlueEyedYonder}
    February 24, 2011 at 10:15 am |

    Tanya – Of course you can snag a picture, the more people with snazzy drawers the better! 🙂

    Jessica – So glad you love the post, thanks for the link love. 🙂

  • Dana@Mid2Mod
    February 24, 2011 at 1:31 pm |

    Great idea! So much better than struggling with the sticky stuff…

  • shea
    February 25, 2011 at 12:06 pm |

    Very cute! Like your silly bandz too. 😉

  • golden star
    February 27, 2011 at 1:10 pm |

    Is this fabric stiffener different from starch?

  • {BlueEyedYonder}
    February 28, 2011 at 6:48 am |

    Golden Star – Fabric Stiffener is different from starch. The fabric stiffener is used to completely harden fabrics, (i.e. if you were to drape the fabric over a balloon it would dry/harden into that shape.) However, it can diluted to create a stiff, yet moveable fabric. I am sure a heavily starched fabric would would just as great. You basically need the fabric to be stiff and flat. Once it is taped down I'm sure either method would work. Good luck!

  • sarah
    March 1, 2011 at 2:36 pm |

    hi! do you have any idea who makes this fabric? it's amazing!

  • Sobrina Tung
    March 2, 2011 at 2:02 am |

    super cute fabric — lovely drawer liners!

  • {BlueEyedYonder}
    March 2, 2011 at 8:07 am |

    Sarah – I bought this fabric in a clearance section and I am not sure who makes it. I may still have the fabric edge where the designer's name is printed. I will check tonight when I get home. It's a super fun print for sure!

  • {BlueEyedYonder}
    March 2, 2011 at 8:17 am |

    Sarah – Found it! The fabric is by Michael Miller, "Paula Prass Flights of Fancy Zinnia Path"

    http://www.formandfabric.com/products/Paula-Prass,-Flights-of-Fancy,-Zinnia-Path-%252d-Summer.html

  • Micaela
    March 2, 2011 at 3:45 pm |

    what a great idea!!! i can't wait to do this to make me smile every time i open my drawers in the morning! thank-you xo

    ps. I TOTALLY thought i was following you ages ago! ugh.
    and btw– if i ever get round to GA again then a few hours, we're totally meeting up!

  • {BlueEyedYonder}
    March 2, 2011 at 3:57 pm |

    Micaela – I smile everytime I open my drawers, the only bad part is now I don't want to put my clothes in there, haha! You better let me know if you're ever in GA, we'll chat it up over coffee for sure!

  • Grazing Kate
    March 17, 2011 at 8:21 am |

    In the UK 'drawers' is also the word for 'underwear' or 'panties' so I'm afraid in true English style, I have appreciated your crafting abilities but I have also been giggling like crazy:
    'It's not like many people will ever see the inside of my drawers'

    'What's your secret to great smelling drawers?'

    'I smile everytime I open my drawers'
    Tee hee – sorry, childish, I know.

    And don't get me started on the US use of 'fanny'….

  • SusieB
    July 14, 2011 at 10:02 pm |

    I just found this when I was looking for fresh ideas to line the drawers in the dresser we just repurposed for our nursery – what an excellent idea! Thank you!
    One question, though – did you use the ironing spray just for the lavender scent, or does it also help to starch the fabric a little more? Because it's for a baby dresser, I want to avoid the scent, but I do want to make sure the fabric is stiff enough.
    Thank yo uso much for this great idea!

  • {BlueEyedYonder}
    July 15, 2011 at 8:30 am |

    Hi Susie! So happy you found this tutorial. Repurposed furniture is so fun!

    I used the lavender ironing spray for the scent and to give me a little "steam" to iron out any wrinkles. After the fabric is soaked in the fabric stiffener and dried, it will look kind of like clothes that are left to hang dry (kind of crinkly). I used the iron to smooth out these "crinkles" and give the fabric a nice smooth finish. Hope this helps!

  • Christa
    July 17, 2011 at 5:50 pm |

    Hi, I guess this lavender ironing spray is no longer available. I went to Mrs. Meyers website, and they only thing they have is the fabric softener. Do you think this would work if I used it along with the fabric stiffener? Not sure if the two would react, causing the stiffener to not work properly. Any help would be great, thanks!

  • {BlueEyedYonder}
    July 18, 2011 at 7:10 am |

    Christa – I can't believe they stopped making that ironing spray, that was one of my favorites.

    Unfortunately, I don't think the lavender fabric softener would have the same effect. Once you soak the fabric in the stiffener, it has a mild "glue smell" (nothing major, just a little). I used the lavender spray while giving it one final press with the iron to freshen the fabric and remove the glue smell. You could always use any other scented ironing spray or linen water. It's actually pretty easy to make your own spray. Here's a DIY link that tells you how: http://www.save-on-crafts.com/howtomakyour2.html

    Hope this helps! 🙂

  • Kara
    July 22, 2011 at 7:43 pm |

    How many parts stiffner to water? Thanks!

  • {BlueEyedYonder}
    July 23, 2011 at 10:53 am |

    Kara – The directions on the bottle say you can add up to 50% water depending on the type of fabric and stiffness required. I believe I might have added a little more than that because I didn't need the fabric to be perfectly stiff, just a heavy starched feel. My ratios were around 1/2 cup stiffener to 1 cup water. I was basically trying to create enough liquid to submerge my fabric with out diluting it too much. Hope this helps!

  • Allie
    August 19, 2011 at 5:28 pm |

    Beautiful! I will be linking to your post!

  • Julie
    August 19, 2011 at 6:10 pm |

    I love this! And the fabric you have as your drawer liners is lovely.

    My mom puts soap bars in our drawers too! Hahah, it's random, but it works!

  • Jaci
    August 24, 2011 at 7:29 pm |

    Love the idea… adding to pinterest.

  • Sarita
    August 27, 2011 at 3:22 pm |

    Does the tape hold the fabric in securely enough? I would be afraid it would easily become dislodged when moving things around.

  • {BlueEyedYonder}
    August 29, 2011 at 7:47 am |

    Sarita – The tape seems to be holding fine. You'd really have to make an effort to get it to lift. Just make sure you clean the bottom of the drawers out so there is no dust and the tape gets a good bond.

  • Mel
    August 30, 2011 at 1:02 am |

    Awesome idea! Can't wait to try this out in our new house! Great ideas on freshening the drawers too.

    Blessings,
    Mel
    Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

  • moreaboutthat.com
    September 30, 2011 at 5:02 pm |

    Great Idea! I will be adding a link from my blog!

  • Sweet Bee Cottage
    October 30, 2011 at 10:48 am |

    What a brilliant idea! I just got a new-to-me dresser and I need to line the drawers. Found this on pinterest. I'll be sure to link back to you when I do my drawers.

  • Wrap It Up: 3 Ways to Use Decorative Paper at Home | My Blog
    February 18, 2012 at 3:15 am |

    […] 1 In a step-by-step DIY, Blue Eyed Yonder shows us how to renovate cloth into unbending element same to paper that works beautifully to line […]

  • Nicole
    February 21, 2012 at 6:06 pm |

    Yippee, I just found a link to this page via Apartment Therapy. Love the idea! I keep my drawers smelling fresh and yummy by storing my (massive) scented candle collection in them. I only use the candles I have that are in boxes, so they don’t make oily spots on my clothes. I put a box in each drawer and voila – great smelling drawers AND easy-to-find candles for any occasion.

  • Stephanie
    February 24, 2012 at 1:35 pm |

    I love this idea and am trying it this weekend! When I post it to my blog, I’ll link back to yours if that is ok. Another great way to scent your drawers is to put a candle in them. I have two drawers filled with candles for different seasons and those two drawers made very drawer in the chest smell amazing!

  • Heather
    May 17, 2012 at 10:30 pm |

    I loved your liners so much that I tried it today. It was the easiest and “cleanest” looking liner ever! I have lined drawers my whole life and your method it the BEST! Because I have an old dresser(about 100 yrs old) I measured each drawer twice then left a little extra when I cut using a rotary cutter. Then I placed the liner in the drawer and used my finer to score the fabric along the edges, then I used an exact-o knife and ruller to trim the most off and followed up with scissors- to get the places that the knife missed. It sounds complex but it only took about 5 mins to cut and fit all three drawers! THANK YOU!

    • BlueEyedYonder
      May 18, 2012 at 8:21 am |

      That’s awesome Heather! I bet they look great! I’d love to see some pics. 🙂

  • Lesley
    July 13, 2012 at 1:03 pm |

    I love this project and will be trying ASAP. One question…is that a picture of a cake??

    • BlueEyedYonder
      July 13, 2012 at 5:00 pm |

      Lesley! Haha! Too funny, when they converted my blog from Blogger to WordPress some weird things happened. This is definitely one of them. A cake! Ha, so random and definitely unintentional 🙂

  • Nancy
    July 23, 2012 at 7:44 pm |

    Another way to accomplish this look without the stiffener is to use spray adhesive on cardboard cut to the size of the drawer. I did that with tarnish-preventive fabric for my silver flatware. Years ago, Martha Stewart showed a shallow drawer with flannel-like fabric done that way for everyday jewelry and pocket stuff…Might be a good idea to keep a phone charger in there overnight, too. Just drill a hole in the back of the drawer large enough for the cord to run to a wall outlet. I used to use plain white butcher paper to line drawers, but the fabric makes it so special!

    • BlueEyedYonder
      July 23, 2012 at 7:59 pm |

      What a lovely idea! Thanks so much for sharing Nancy!

  • Oma Lea
    July 26, 2012 at 10:02 am |

    What a wonderful idea. I’ll be using it for fabrics that I love and don’t know what to do with. I think I would like to skip the step for the fabric stiffener and will spray adhesive the fabric to cardboard (recycle) or poster board. That lovely velveteen fabric I have should be decadent in the make-up drawer & lingerie drawer. Oh, inspiration–Thank you. Making containers for my cubbie storage. Yep!

  • Erin
    August 13, 2012 at 1:44 pm |

    I would like to use the fabric liners in my kitchen cupboards, do you have any ideas for covering the fabric so it is waterproof. I was thinking about covering the fabric with plastic but thought this would be to cumbersome. Any ideas? Thanks!

    • BlueEyedYonder
      August 13, 2012 at 2:10 pm |

      Hi Erica! Sometimes a really heavy layer of scotch guard will do the trick. It repels water, making it bead up once moisture hits the surface. You can spray it on, making it much easier to apply than plastic. Hope this helps!

      • Joanna Decker
        August 18, 2012 at 10:34 pm |

        I have also seen somewhere to use Mod Podge on fabric to stIffen it and make it easy to cut. I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s an option.

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    November 14, 2012 at 3:16 pm |

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  • gary douglas
    December 18, 2012 at 10:33 am |

    I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a
    very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often.
    Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
    Great work!

  • Kaytie
    January 11, 2013 at 4:50 pm |

    Thanks so much for posting this tutorial! I was really struggling with finding paper to use for drawer liners when I stumbled across your post on pinterest. I followed your directions and it worked like a dream. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂

  • Mamaholt
    January 12, 2013 at 1:50 pm |

    Saw this on Pinterest. SO clever!

  • Molly
    January 31, 2013 at 11:41 am |

    This is such a wonderful way to brighten up some usually dark spaces 🙂 Can’t wait to try this out. And, that fabric IS gorgeous that you used.

  • Chrissy
    February 7, 2013 at 2:33 am |

    What is that fabric called? I have a diaper bag from Kalencom that uses it and would LOVE some extra.

    • BlueEyedYonder
      February 7, 2013 at 2:45 am |

      Thanks so much for the comment. The fabric is by Michael Miller and I believe it’s called Zinnia. Hope you can find it, it’s so much fun!

  • Ashleigh
    March 13, 2013 at 2:27 pm |

    New to BEY, and loving it so far! How do the edges of these turn out when cut? I’d love to do this for the kitchen cupboards but was thinking I’d have to hem fabric then paint it with stiffener…This would be way easier! If it doesn’t fray this could be an awesome solution.

    • BlueEyedYonder
      March 13, 2013 at 2:58 pm |

      Hi Ashleigh!

      I think it would work perfect for cupboards – no hemming! The stiffener works well on the edges, so if you cut it with really sharp scissors I think it work just fine. Let me know how it turns out. 🙂

  • Sherry
    March 14, 2013 at 10:25 am |

    I’m not able to find the Mrs. Meyer’s ironing spray. Do you have any other suggestions for a product to use during that step? Thanks!

    • BlueEyedYonder
      March 14, 2013 at 11:17 am |

      I hate that they quit making it, boo! You could always use any other scented ironing spray or linen water. It’s actually pretty easy to make your own spray. Here’s a DIY link that tells you how: http://www.save-on-crafts.com/howtomakyour2.html

  • Katrina
    March 1, 2014 at 6:56 am |

    Love this post! I was wondering if it would be easier to cut the fabric to size before putting it in the stiffener? Is there some glaring fault to this that I’m just overlooking? Thanks!

    • BlueEyedYonder
      March 5, 2014 at 6:07 pm |

      I think that would work too. For whatever reason, I liked cutting the stiff fabric better. It allowed me to square it up a little better.

  • hilary
    May 3, 2015 at 1:28 pm |

    Hi, brilliant idea! What ratio water and stiffener did you use?

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