how to make a miniature chest of drawers, dresser

Chest of Drawers or Dresser

These drawers really work, so bead “shoes” or extra outfits can be stored in them. Make a bedside table with two drawers. Make a desk with 2 sets of 2 drawers and a piece of cardboard on top. Fasten 4 drawers together and it becomes a dresser. Make an even bigger dresser by gluing 2 stacks side by side.

These are all made with empty matchboxes. Simply glue them together and cover with colored paper. An even easier option is to fasten them together with wide colored tape.

If you don’t have match boxes, you can make your own. Cut out thin cardboard such as a cereal box. Cut out the “drawer”” (pattern on the right) and the outer sheath (on the left.)

To make the drawer, fold the sides up, then fold the ends of the sides toward the middle. In the photo, the tabs on the near end have been folded in, but the far end tabs have not been folded yet.

Fold the outer sheath (rectangle that has no cuts) to fit around the drawer. Glue where the two ends of the cardboard overlap.

Make a drawer handle or drawer pull

Poke a hole in the middle of the front of the drawer with a sharp object such as a tack. Push the brad through the hole and spread the legs apart on the inside of the drawer. There is now a handy knob to open and close the drawer.

Alternate handle or drawer pull

Poke 2 holes in the front of the drawer. Push a wire through the holes and twist to secure the wire. Make sure it sticks out far enough so small fingers can grab it. Tape the sharp points on the inside of the drawer. Thread or string could be used instead of wire.