The first step is to identify the drawer you need to line. If you have a few drawers that need lining, I recommend working one at a time to avoid confusion on the measurements.

Use the tape to measure the length and width of the drawer.

Mark the measurements on the fabric, adding around 2 centimetres to the measured dimensions before cutting the fabric.

Here’s the fabric after cutting.

Pour some glue into a small bowl to make it easier to apply with a brush.

Use the brush to apply glue along the sides of the drawer.

You can also apply a thin layer throughout the drawer’s bottom surface to help adhere to the fabric.

Start sticking the fabric, beginning from one side.

Ensure you stretch the fabric well to avoid creasing. You can use a piece of wood or hard card to press the fabric and stretch it, ironing out any creases as they form.

Here’s the fabric after sticking it to the drawer bottom.

Now, use the cutter to remove the excess fabric from the sides, cutting along the sides to give the lining a neat finish.

Ensure the corners don’t overlap by cutting from both sides.

It’s done! The fabric-lined drawer is ready to use.

Here’s how the fabric-lined drawer looks after finishing.

It looks professionally lined, almost like it came with fabric lining. 

FAQs about DIY fabric-lined drawers: 

·    What type of fabric is ideal for lining drawers? 

 You can use any leftover fabric to line drawers. Cotton or natural fabrics are easier to work with as they don’t slip when pasting or stretching. I don’t recommend using a thicker fabric, such as jute or burlap, as a loose weave will gather dust quickly, giving the lining a dirty look. 

I advise using dark colours or patterned fabric to line drawers as they won’t show dust or dirt as quickly as light colours. 

·    What’s the best way to clean a lined drawer?

Regularly wiping the drawer lining, first with a dry cloth to remove dust and then with a slightly damp cloth, will keep it looking clean for a long time. You can also use soap and water to wipe the lining. Avoid scrubbing it as it might loosen the fabric fibres or the glue, spoiling the look of the lined drawer. 

·    How can you remove the old fabric lining to replace it?

When the fabric liner looks worn out and you want to replace it, all you need is a hair dryer and a scraping tool. Turn on the hairdryer in a medium-heat setting. Point the hairdryer at a corner, placing it an inch away from the fabric. The hot air from the dryer will loosen the glue. Use the scraping tool to tease the fabric away from the corner gently. Continue directing the hot air on the fabric, gently pulling or scraping it with the tool to remove the liner. After removing the fabric, take a cloth and apply some rubbing alcohol. Use it to remove the dried glue from the drawer bottom.