I’m a bad-ish Mom. Not to be confused with a bad-a*s Mom. Actually, scratch that. I am that too. But, for right now, I stink. I can’t do it ALL like my Pinterest Mom counterparts. Therefor, my kiddos help with chores around the house. And folding their somewhat stain-free, wrinkled but laundered clothes is no exception. I made these nifty folding tools to assist them in a folding method that allows for more storage in their drawers. It was free to make (unless you add the cost of the ridiculously expensive diapers inside the box). The kids actually enjoy using it – “laugh out loud”, okay, not really, but I enjoy watching them use it which to me, is even better. Plus, it brings me so.much.friggin’.JOY to see my kids miserable helping out, so I am confident Marie Kondo herself would approve and jump right over here to bless my parenting techniques.

I started with a cardboard box, a roll of duct tape and a pair of scissors.

First, I began deconstructing the box by cutting the flaps. And using the scissors that were closest to where I was, I started getting hand cramps and complaining that this was, in fact, a crap ton harder than I thought. So, I decided to stop being lazy and get the box cutters out of the -20 degree workshop outside. Thank you very much Polar Vortex of 2019.

FYI – These babies are aptly named. Cutting was a breeze from this point on. I was seriously cutting pieces of cardboard that didn’t even need cut for this project just because I felt like a ninja warrior princess with a sharp sword.

My pieces were approx. 9×12. Just a general size. They don’t have to be perfect. But, you do need 9 pieces of similar size.

After aligning the pieces with a small gap between each one to allow for easy folding, I started duct taping my Artistic Contraption of Greatness together.

This mechanism is a tool that we use a lot. 8 kids taking turns with it every week means it gets quite a bit of use. So I reinforced the sides with duct tape to prolong this lil’ Miracle Made of Cardboard’s life.

To give an idea of sizing, this shirt is a children’s size XL. To use, you place your shirt in the middle of the Amazing Folding Apparatus.

Starting with one side, you fold over the entire side of the cardboard piece.

And unfold the cardboard.

Continue the exact same on the other side.

Once the kiddos get the hang of it, it goes pretty fast. I mean, it’s not rocket science.

Fold up the bottom.

Then the top.

And here you have it almost finished.

The final step is to take the shirt and fold one more time in half. Put it in the dresser drawer folded side up.

*Mom Tip*

Place shirts with graphics on the Cardboard Masterpiece with the design facing down. This will allow the picture to show when folded and prevent your little cherubim angel to destroy the entire dresser drawer by unfolding every single one of his shirts, looking for a certain one that he wears at least twice a week even though he has 1,475,895,299 other shirts.

*This message brought to you by a mother that has literally been through it*

And you’re welcome.

So, what are you waiting for? Start KonMari’ing the crap out of your kids drawers!