DIY Ribbon and Bias Tape Organization

The more I began to sew, the more sewing notions and trims I have collected. I have ribbons, piping, bias tapes, and rick rack that I saved from numerous sewing and craft projects. Before I came up with this storage solution, all these items were stuffed into shoe boxes. When I started making something new I usually began by digging through my shoe box to find the right embellishment. Yikes! This is time consuming, annoying, and a tangled mess. So, I tried to come up with a way to store all these items in a more organized and inexpensive way. This DIY ribbon and bias tape organization idea came to me after I got a package in the mail. I saw this cardboard box and thought…free storage! I also was able to repurpose my old shoe box! This post contains affiliate links.

Supply List for DIY Ribbon and Bias Tape Organization

This supply list contains many items that you would normally throw away. After I receive a delivery, I usually throw the packaging into the recycling bin along with my shoe boxes. This is a great way to repurpose items and create a DIY organization for ribbon and bias tape

• A Cardboard box
• Shoe box or other storage box
• Grid Ruler
• Exacto knife ($5)
• Self healing cutting mat

Before we start organizing our storage container, here is what my sewing trims looked like before I started. (a tangled mess)

Step 1: Measure your storage box (shoe box) for ribbon organization

Measure the height and width of your storage box. The shoe box that I used was 7.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches tall. I first covered the shoe box in fabric to make it pretty. (tutorial coming soon) Next, subtract a 1/4″ from both measurements so the pieces will have a little room to move inside the box. I cut my cardboard pieces 7.25 inches x 5 inches.

Step 2: Cut out cardboard pieces.

First, breakdown the free cardboard box. Remove all the packaging labels and tape. Don’t worry if you tear the box. You can always cut out any damaged section.

Next, carefully measure and mark the box for cutting. A grid ruler works great for this. Cut one piece to test how it is fitting in the shoe box. Make any adjustments before cutting all the pieces.

Next, using a Grid Ruler, Exacto knife, and Self healing cutting mat, I carefully measured and cut the box into sections 7.25 x 5 inches.

Next, I measured the section to be cut out and marked them with an erasable pencil. I measured 1″ from each side and then 1″ from the top and bottom.

Cut out the side pieces leaving what looks like a capital “I”.

Step 3: Place ribbon and bias tape into your storage box.

Wrap the trims around the cardboard pieces and secure with tape if needed. Place the pieces into the shoe box and Viola! Now you have a beautiful and organized box full of sewing trims.