Make your own Snap or Tie Trays

Snap Trays are all the rage these days for storage, ort containers, and bead containers but did you know that you can make your own?

The advantage here is that you can use fabrics in your stash and create it so it just the look and size you want.

I found some wonderful internet resources to do just this.

My Little Mochi has a tutorial to make a round snap tray using a plate a a pattern. Noodlehead’s tutorial makes three sizes of rectangular trays.

The book Fabric One-yard Wonders has a snap travel tray as part of a set called “Jet Set.” A New Zealand company, Zippy Designs, has patterns for several in different sizes with different kinds of hand-quilting on them. Their pattern includes a template for the perfect placement of snaps.

Craftsy has a free snap tray pattern as well. In the comments there was a good suggestion to starch the fabrics you will be using. This will make them stiffer and easier to manipulate.

If you aren’t wild about the snap idea, you can make then with cut out corners and sew ties between the layers. I keep my project bags in a heavy cardboard one of these. This Etsy pattern tells you how to make one with solid sides from paper (not good for heavy use).

If you want to use these trays to store beads, at least some of the time, you will need to make a removable lining. It needs to be made of something that will not allow the beads to roll. It also should be something that will not ravel along the edges. Vellux-style plush, often sold as pads in beading stores, is perfect. Ultrasuede is a great choice if you want something lightweight, Fleece if it isn’t too plush will also work.

To turn any tray into a beading tray cut your lining fabric the inside measurement of the tray. It should fit snugly so beads won’t get stuck between the lining and the tray.

With some basic sewing skills you can make your own lovely snap trays.