Learn how to make your own covers for Create Room DreamBox tote bins with free templates for both InView and DiviDrawers for use with cutting machines or manual hand-cutting.
I love how much my Create Room DreamBox holds, but I don’t love to see all the contents in the drawers. A lot of people prefer clear containers for easy visibility, but I’m not that personality type. Clear containers actually stress me out and make me feel like things are cluttered even when they’re not.
So once I got my DreamBox all set up and organized the way I wanted it, I made some front covers to hide all the supplies inside the totes. I created these SVGs, added them to Cricut Design Space, and got to work. Here’s the entire process for making CreateRoom DreamBox tote covers from start to finish, whether you have a Cricut, Silhouette, or you’re just hand-cutting.
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DreamBox Drawer Front Templates
First I added the SVG files into Cricut Design Space. Inside a new project, I just duplicated each of the three sizes to match the number of totes I had. If you’re using a Cricut, you can use my Design Space template below which already has 80 totes duplicated for you. This makes it much easier and faster to create a full set of covers and you don’t have to upload SVGs at all. I used a Cricut Maker 3 for this project, but any cutting machine (except Cricut Joy) will work.
DreamBox InView Drawer Front Cover Templates:
- For Cricut Design Space (does not work with Cricut Joy)
- SVG files for Silhouette or hand cutting
DreamBox DiviDrawers Front Cover Templates:
I don’t have DiviDrawers so I can’t make and test these dimensions, but luckily the DiviDrawer cover sizes are just rectangles with 90 degree angles so they’re easy to create as a shape in Design Space or to hand cut. Here are the DiviDrawer front sizes I found on Create Room’s website, however I can’t guarantee they fit perfectly since I can’t physically test them myself:
- Medium: 5.75″ x 4.75″
- Large: 11.75″ x 2.75″
- Extra Large: 12″ x 5.75
- Labels: 3.25″ x 1.75″
Tips For Making DreamBox Tote Covers With Cricut Or Silhouette Machines
Cutting 12″ Covers On 12″ Paper
When you’re cutting the large sizes, they require 12″ of width. And while your paper may be 12″, the machines can only cut up to a little over 11″ due to the extra spacing on each side of the mat. To cut large tote covers, your best bet is to use 12×24 paper on a 12×24 mat, but if you don’t have that, there’s a way around it.
On the cut preview page of Cricut Design Space, just turn the tote cover diagonally and it will cut the entire cover. This takes up more paper, however, so I definitely recommend using 12×24 if you can find it. JoAnn’s seems to usually have it in stock, as well as Cricut.com.
Removing The Paper From The Cutting Mat
You may have tried to remove the paper from the mat and it either tore or curled up. The trick to keeping the paper flat and intact is to flip the mat upside down so the paper side is on the table. Then you pull the mat away from the paper while using your other hand to hold the paper flat on the table. Mats are pretty flexible so you can bend it away without bending the paper.
Cutting Multiple Colors Or Patterns
If you plan on cutting multiple colors and patterns, I recommend duplicating each template size before beginning the cuts. It can be confusing to figure out how much paper and cuts you need while you’re in the moment. If you use my Cricut Design Space template, you’ll see that I already had mine color coordinated. This was helpful because when I clicked Make It, Design Space told me how many pieces of each color paper I needed.
To determine how many cuts you need of each color or pattern, as well as putting together a color scheme, download the printable DreamBox layout and print a few copies. Then break out your markers or colored pencils and play with different color combinations. I actually just used the Markup feature on my iPhone to digitally mock-up a color scheme. Once you’ve landed on the design you want, just tally up how many of each color are on your sheet and adjust the Design Space template to match those numbers.
Save $100 on Create Room DreamBox using code LELABURRIS100
Shop Dreambox here
Best Type Of Paper For DreamBox Tote Covers
When you’re choosing the material for your Dream Box tote covers, it’s important to select thick cardstock paper. I used heavyweight cardstock in eight different neutral colors and they stand up straight and lay flat on all the totes.
I used patterned scrapbook paper on the medium drawers, and it isn’t holding up as well as the cardstock. It’s thin and curls inward a little, and I’m thinking I’ll eventually have to glue it to thicker pieces of paper to give it more stability.
I definitely recommend extra thick cardstock or even posterboard for the tote covers, and if you really want a patterned scrapbook paper or even vinyl, just stick them onto something weightier first.
How To Attach DreamBox Tote Covers To Fronts
Before my DreamBox arrived, I scoured the internet looking for exactly how people were getting these paper fronts to stay in place. I zoomed in on all the photos and never saw any type of tape. And for some reason, no one was talking about how they did it.
Turns out, the tote covers aren’t attached at all. Most people just sit the cover in the front of the bins and the contents inside hold it upright. This didn’t seem right to me, but I tested it and it did work. If the totes are loosely filled, the papers do sometimes fall over or curl.
You can add micro glue dots in the corners to hold them in place, to minimize visibility. You’ll be able to see them, but just barely since they’re so small.
The only true way to seamlessly add covers onto your totes without showing adhesive but still keeping them in place if the totes is empty is to buy the DiviDrawers. These new totes have a slot in the front to hold a paper cover, along with a label. I opted out of the DiviDrawers because they were on backorder, so I just got the InView. But the InView are in the process of being discontinued so soon you won’t have to worry about that.
Should You Make Seasonal or Alternate Sets?
You can absolutely make alternate sets! It’s easy to swap them out and fun to have a change of scenery sometimes. I planned on making a holiday collection last year but I didn’t have enough time, so I plan on spending a full day making a few seasonal sets this year so they’ll be ready when the holidays kick in. I love my neutral set, but I would like to have a winter collection, a Halloween set, and maybe another random holiday or two.
It took me about 4 hours to make a full set of 80 tote covers using a Cricut Maker 3, so keep that in mind when you plan on making your own. I had four 12×24 mats so I could load and unload while another mat was inside the machine being cut.
Want To Tour My Create Room DreamBox Setup?
You can check out this post to see exactly what’s inside my DreamBox, how I assembled and set it up, and my honest opinion on whether it’s worth the money. And if you’re planning on buying a DreamBox of your own, you can use my special code LELABURRIS100 to save $100 off your purchase. When you use my code, shoot me an email or DM on social and I’ll give you free access to The Organized-ish Craft Room E-Course to help you declutter and organize all your craft supplies.
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