tips for gluing felt into drawer bottoms
Does anyone have any experience installing felt bottoms in jewelry box drawers? I don’t want to screw up all the work of building the drawers when I install the felt. I want to avoid lumps and an uneven surface. Quarters are tight in the drawers. Anybody done this successfully?
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I like to use a light duty spray contact cement. However, working with floppy fabric and contact cement can be tricky. I first glue the fabric to thin cardboard like from a cereal box cut to size. Then I glue that to the bottom. It's pretty easy that way. I also use the same technique if I want to line the sides of the box. For the sides, I wrap the fabric around the top edge of the cardboard to show a nice attractive edge. This works for either felt or velvet like fabrics.
Bilyo - That is a sweet idea! Glue the felt to the thin cardboard first, then cut the cardboard to the exact inside dimensions of the drawer and glue the felt covered cardboard down. What spray contact cement do you use? Thanks!
You can do it that way. I like to cut the cardboard to size first allowing for edge wrapping. By wrapping the fabric around the edges, you end up with a neater looking edge, I think. I use a light duty spray contact cement intended for craft work. Sometimes, you may need to get into nooks or crannies not suitable for spraying. I just spray some glue into the cap and use a small brush to apply it and work quickly.
Thanks bilyo. I'll have to try that too.
I like bilyo's way. Using something like titebond can saturate the felt, and make the felt rock hard.
ecyor, I have to know, is that your first or last name?
ecyor is my first name spelled backwards (Royce)
LOL! You just reminded me of a late friend I used to play guitar with, Wm. Moses "Billy" Roberts (wrote "Hey Joe"- yes, the one Jimi Hendrix did). He used to joke about "The Sadim Touch - that's Midas spelled backwards, where everything you touch turns to Sh*t".
I prefer suede fabric to felt. I buy mat board from a local frame shop. I fold the suede fabric around all four sides and attach it underneath using double sided carpet tape. The carpet tape not only holds fast to the suede but also holds it securely to the bottom of the jewelry box. I have found mat board to be superior to any other type of cardboard for this purpose.
Really like the idea of felt glued to the cardboard, and then D.S. Carpet tape. My issue with felt or cork is dirt/spills/oil. Cleanliness. Double-sided carpet tape should allow for removal for cleaning or replacing - and much easier? Anyone tried this or have the issue?
For jewelry boxes, I use the self stick sheets because I like to use the matching ring bars that Rockler sells. I press the sheet onto the bottom before assembly and then trim the edges with an Exacto knife to fit. You could do that with contact cement too, as its easier to make a flat fit on the bottom before assembly. Some of the small 1/4" quarter round as trim around the bottom can cover small fit mistakes.
I make boxes for housing chess pieces. Many of them include custom trays to make compartments for each piece. My method of felt application is to apply the felt (I use 12 x 18 pieces from Hobby Lobby @ $1.99) to the unassembled box or tray bottom using Elmer’s glue. Spread the glue thin using a roller, press down the felt and then trim the felt with an exacto knife by turning the piece over (with felt on the bottom) and trimming carefully around the bottom piece.
I use Elmer’s multi-purpose liquid glue (E3850), NOT Elmer’s school glue.
I do as bilyo does.
I made a silver chest with lots of slotted holders for the silverware. I used the special tarnish-inhibiting cloth. I tried the usual wood glues, but nothing worked well, either because of seep-through or because of lack of tack while working the fabric into the slots and necessary folds. The solution was purple glue sticks. Rub it on the wood surface and press the fabric on. It won't seep through, but it is very tacky and when dry holds very well.
Is the purple glue stick you use the Elmer's brand or the 3M brand? Or, are they the same?
The brand I had was Avery Glue-Stic. I got a box of maybe 18 of them for very little cash. For my application, it worked best to use a pen knife to butter the wood, especially in the slots. I would just slice off a thin piece and plaster it on. For the sides and bottom of the drawer I used 3M spray adhesive, sprayed on the wood only and left to get tacky or dry as per instructions before placing the pre-cut piece of fabric on. Much masking required, but the slot rack was glued in after the bottom and sides were done.
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