Young House Love

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How To Make A Fabric Bed Canopy

*Thanks so much for all of the kind words and the love that you guys shared after yesterday’s post. It was so touching to read all of your stories and memories. 

A few weeks ago when Clara saw a canopy hanging over her friend’s bed, she was immediately in LOVE. As in, she put in a request for “daddy and mommy to build a canopy with a hammer and some blankets” for her right that second. Not surprisingly, we were in. Just not for the whole hammering blankets thing…

Hanging5

We love that it’s something she requested and that it adds more playful personality to her room, Heck, it just might get her excited enough to sleep in her daybed (yes, she’s still happily snoozing in her crib, but seems closer to making the switch every day).

So the first thing we did was grab some spare fabric that we had in my stash, not for color, but just to see if the shape that we liked most (something like this) would work, and to figure out how many yards we’d need. Oh yeah, and the first planning stages of this happened before we painted her room/closet/ceiling, but then we realized we should do that before hanging the canopy, so room-painting jumped the line.

Canopy1

Next, John made like Superman. Because, you know, that helps during any project.

Canopy2

The next day right before we hit up the fabric store I remembered we had some old sheer curtains that John could hold up so we could get a better idea of how white would look. With so much pattern in the rug and the curtains along with the art that we’re planning to rehang from her last nursery/playroom, we thought white with some colored ticking or fringe would probably be the best choice for a playful but not too circus-y canopy that would hopefully work in her room for a while, even if other colors/accessories change with Clara’s taste as she grows.

Canopy3

We liked how the white sheers looked but they were a little bland without any trim (which further confirmed that we needed to grab something colorful and fun to accent them) and they were a little short on each side. So we used them as a placeholder and measured how much more yardage we’d need to create a similar canopy that’s long enough to drape fully over each side of the bed. The magic number = six yards.

We scored bigtime at Hancock, getting all six yards of washable cotton/poly blend fabric for $20.94 thanks to a 50% off coupon that I found on their website (they just scanned my phone). We also found enough turquoise pompom trim to line the entire outside edge (another six yards) for some added flair. Clara was actually the one to point it out slash pet it first (my girl!) so that sealed the deal. Well, that and the 60% off markdown (it came to $9.54 for all of it). I was especially excited about the pom pom trim since seeing this canopy with pink poms. I think it just adds so much fun-factor.

Canopy4

After washing my fabric (that way it’s all pre-shrunk and ready to go) I hemmed in on all four sides. I actually did a double hem – folding it over and sewing it once, and then folding it again and sewing the edge one more time, just for a completely finished look on the inside so there’s nothing stringy hanging out since we figured you’d see the inside of the canopy while laying in bed.

Canopy5

Let me tell you… double hemming a giant 18 x 4′ sheet of fabric on all sides takes quite a while – at least for a #reluctantseamstress like me. But I sort of got in the zone, especially on those two 18′ long sides, and just plugged away until it was done. Afterwards I used my iphone calculator to determine that I completed 88 feet of sewing since it was 44 feet around, twice,  which was oddly satisfying. It’s like learning how many hot dogs can circle the Earth’s equator.

Next was the fun part… adding the pom pom trim. I just sewed that to the front side of the canopy along the entire 18′ edge.

Canopy6

All told, it probably took me about four hours (again, I’m a terrible sewer, so I’m sure someone else could whip this out in an hour). But I’m in love. The fun pom-poms tie into the colors in the rug and the curtains (a ton of her to-be-hung art is that color too) as well as being super fun for Clara to gaze up at.

Hanging4

As for how we hung it, we actually used the same decorative wooden brackets that we used in our kitchen. Remember we removed these two extra brackets? Well, we reused those and bought one more from Home Depot and painted it. They were only 9.5″ deep and we wanted the fabric to billow out a bit more, so we cut some scrap wood to create 17″ slats…

Brackets1

… that we nailed into the top of the brackets to make them all one piece. Then we just hung them on the wall with two screw and anchor sets for each one (the back of the brackets have two holes to slip onto screw heads so they stay firmly in place).

Brackets2

The worry-wart mom in me is glad that Clara can’t possibly jump on the bed high enough to bash her head on the top one, and we thought a bunch about where to place those side brackets so they wouldn’t be in the way. Putting them down too low would mean that we might lean back and get caught in the canopy during story time, so by placing them about 32 inches above the top of the mattress, they keep the canopy out of our way for reading, snuggling and animal-wrestling (don’t ask). And since they’re lined up with the arms of the bed there will never be someone leaning back or jumping in that area like they might towards the inside of the bed. Well, at least we hope not.

Clara3

The large flap of fabric is just resting on the brackets for now, but I was planning to use strips of velcro to hold it in place (maybe just along the top and it can just drape over the two side brackets?) but Clara has been so gentle with it – just gazing up at it, softly running her finger delicately over the pom-poms – that I think I’m going to do the lazy mom thing and say “it works for now, and if it gets yanked or drives me nuts I’ll add velcro later.”

Clara1

She’s blurry here, but this photo most accurately catches her love of her canopy. This girl is smitten.

Clara2

We’re not quite done with that wall. Along with wanting to add some chunky crown molding around the top of the room we also think it would be fun to hang a mirror or some art or a 3D paper mache collection of animals or something to break up the white triangle under the canopy, but the jury is still out on where we’ll land. Just for fun I stuck this Target mirror in there thanks to my good friend Photoshop, but who knows where we’ll end up. I’m thinking something like this could be really fun too.

Clara Mirror

In the meantime I’m loving that our canopy’s made of kid-friendly fabric that’s washable and that it was a not-too-complicated project – but most of all I love that it makes Clara so dang happy. This morning I overheard her telling Burger that he had to wear “a crown and a wand to come into my room because it’s for royal sleepovers.” Don’t think Burger’s quite sold on the idea of wearing anything on his head just yet…

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Comments

  1. GreenInOC says

    If I tried to sew, best case scenario would be that I would stitch my fingers togethers but for that Clara smile, I can see how it would be worth a shot!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It’s pretty funny how most of the things I’ve ever sewn have been for her (a quilt, a birthday banner, a beanbag, and a canopy). Didn’t even realize that until now!

      xo
      s

  2. Sara says

    I know you hemmed the canopy fabric yourself, Sherry, and it’s all meaningful now…but have you considered trying out the pink fabric John is holding up in the second pic? That one looks super! The color is gorgeous and adds a lot of brightness to the room, but the fabric is also longer and flowier (is that even a word?). I also especially like the way John is holding that fabric over the bed in the center only, allowing it to flow and drape nicely over the bed!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, some others have said they liked it too! I would have loved to use what we already had, but in person it looked crazy to us (it’s neon and shiny in real life).

      xo
      s

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Isn’t that the strangest interview ever? I actually feel like he was playing to the camera and trying to make them uncomfortable (he joked about how live TV made him nervous and snapped out of it). He used to do that stuff all the time but I think all the rehab stuff since then makes people think “uh oh! he’s off the wagon!” – I like to think he’s back on the wagon and just a loveable weirdo. Ha!

      xo
      s

  6. Braelin says

    I love this– what a simple and fun update to her space! I really like that it has a whimsical quality without being over the top/themed.

    Reply

  8. Kathleen says

    Hello, I’ve only discovered you guys (can you tell I’m fron New England?) within the last few months.. And to use your words, I am smitten! I am quite a bit older than you, late forties, and have just sent my baby, a wonderful son, to college. It fun to read about Clara and her young-ness. I must say I’m still in adjustment stage, but doing well. She is a very lucky girl to have such wonderful parents!

    Im not too much of a DIYers, but love doing crafts! Love, love the canopy, My advice is, get rid of the crib, she is ready! Good luck, can’t wait to see all your new adventures

    Reply

  12. Cara says

    I love that the Pom pins mimic the polka dots in the curtains. Really works for me.

    Your always super-safe with Clara’s stuff, so you’ve probably already thought of this but I’d be cautious hanging a real mirror over the bed. Would it be high enough she couldn’t crash in to it jumping? I’m not usually all that protective a Mom. However, after watching my three year old daughter and her friends crash in to the mirror I hung at her level, I’ve thought more than once how glad I was it was a shatter proof kids mirror. She loves to use it, but boy do they forget it’s there when they get excited.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Heather! We had a mirror hanging over her crib in our last house but we drilled right through it into the wall to secure it so it couldn’t fall, but of course it was out of jumping range. So I think I’m leaning more towards the paper mâché animals or something softer since shattering glass does sound like a terrifying possibility.

      xo
      s

  13. Victoria says

    Love the canopy! The best part is how much Clara loves it and that she requested it.
    I didn’t have a canopy as a child but I have very fond memories of lying in my grandma’s old iron bed under a mosquito net with the ceiling fan whirring overhead and the smell of orange blossoms wafting through the window (Florida).
    Please consider something other than an animal head for that blank space. I know they are popular but consider what they represent – an ego-driven trophy of a hunted and killed dead animal. I have no problem with hunting but some hunt only for the “pleasure” of displaying the poor animal’s head as a monument to their skill at killing.
    It doesn’t matter if it is paper mache, ceramic, or real – the symbolism is the same.
    Love you guys and I have learned so much from you so I hope you will allow me to express my opinion on this matter and know that I do it with respect.

    Reply

  14. Kayla says

    Very sweet! It’s funny because for some reason the top photo wasn’t loading while I was reading on my phone but when I kept reading and saw that you wanted to add some trim, I consciously thought, “I hope/can so imagine it being turquoise pom-pom trim.” I was so delighted that’s what you chose! Love it.

    Reply

  15. Elisha says

    I did wall decals in my kids room they were perfect and I was so glad I did since last month she pulled her huge framed painting down off the wall. Didn’t brake so glad!

    Reply

  17. Leigh says

    Now I am chanting “we’re at a royal sleepover” in my head….

    I love the Pom Pom trim on the canopy. So fun! And I am so amazed Clara is still in her crib! We had to convert my son’s crib to a toddler bed when he was 21 months because he wouldn’t stay in it. The funny thing is, we have had zero problems with him staying in his toddler bed. It cracks me up that he didn’t care about his Angelcare movement monitor going off when he climbed out of his crib, but in his toddler bed, he hates the thing and will not leave that bed until one of us turns off the monitor! Best money ever spent!

    Reply

  18. Jen says

    I have to agree with those who like the length and drape of the coral test fabric better. The canopy, as-is, reminds me of those curtains that stop at windowsill height (sorry). I also don’t understand the choice to do white-on-white. I totally think you could paint the walls a very soft turquoise color to tie the rug into the rest of the room, and make the canopy stand out (a subtle solid will not make the room look crazy at all)! Just my two cents. Anyways, congrats on conquering all those hems!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It’s nine months old (all wool sheds at first but this seemed to shed more over time – there’s pink fluff making it’s way into other rooms now!) but a few people said Joss & Main has a good return policy so I’m going to try a few tips people left on Tuesday’s post to make it stop shedding and if those don’t work I’ll contact Joss & Main to see what we can do.

      xo
      s

  20. Jill says

    Two thumbs up to that awesome Superman pic, I laughed like crazy…! The canopy is lovely, now Clara can choose between looking at a blue & white ‘sky’ before bed or a lovely sunset-ish pink one! :D

    Reply

  26. Angela says

    That looks awesome! I wish I had seen this sooner. We bought an iron shelf from hobby lobby and painted it. Then threaded the cloth through. It doesn’t make a big canopy, just more for effect and I like yours better. Also kudos on breaking out the sewing machine! I love when people aren’t afraid to sew. Next time you might try ironing the fold twice and just sewing once and save half the time.

    Reply

  27. Patricia says

    when I was three going on four, I’d be wrapping that canopy arund me and jumping out and saying “Ta Dah!”. My mom would have had to nail the darn thing down (which is probably why I never got a canopy over my bed).

    Clara is a lucky little girl.

    Reply

  28. Kim says

    Great job on the canopy. Your sewing skills have improved so much. I love the blue pompoms. My vote is to use Velcro, or ties, or a channel sewn the width of your canopy to make the fabric more secure. Sweet Clara loves her canopy and knows the rules, but a rambunctious friend could tear it down in a flash.

    Reply

  29. carol jane says

    Wow. You guys are so talented. Love that! The room is adorable and Clara is getting so grown up. I love the new wall and ceiling colors. What are the color names/brand? Would love to know. Thanks!!!!

    Reply

  31. Ashley says

    What a great idea! It looks fantastic!!

    Sorry if I missed this somewhere else, but how come you guys didn’t use the new rug you bought for Clara’s room in the old house? I thought that one was really cute, but also like the blue hues in the one that’s in her room now.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Ashley! We chatted about that on Tuesday’s room painting post. Clara’s pink rug was shedding like a maniac (the new hardwoods made the giant pink tumbleweeds especially noticeable) and Clara loves playing on this blue rug (she pretends the light blue parts are the ocean for her toys/dolls) so we rolled it out up here to see how we liked it.

      xo
      s

  32. Lisa says

    I love this! Now I sort of wish I didn’t paint the cloud ledges (from your book) over my Daughter’s bed! The clouds are pretty sweet though.

    Reply

  35. Johanna says

    I love Clara’s canopy!! So cute! I hope that my own girlie wants one some day! And I’m thinking one of those awesome DIY play tents should be your next project/present for Clara :) Im sure you have seen them plastered all over pinterest and blogs and I would love to see your personal take and tutorial on it… Someday clara with thank me for suggesting something so cool to her parents :) haha have a good weekend Petersiks!

    Reply

  38. Annie says

    Hi wanted to mention that there is a sewing machine presser foot that does rolled hems. So just pass the fabric through and it looks like it was double hemmed. Especially Fantastic for sheer shifty fabrics! Or there is the Serger that is really useful for curtains and garments etc! Wonderful job with the canopy!!

    Reply

  43. Sarah says

    Hi Sherry!

    What font is the one that you normally use? (the title, pretty much anything else…) I love it!

    Thanks,

    Sarah

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Sarah! The type in our header is Ostrich Sans, but the titles for posts are either Arial or Helvetica (depending on how your computer decides to load it). Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

  44. Allyson M says

    Oh my goodness! I want you to make one of those paper mache animal heads! *I* want to make one of those paper mache animal heads! They look so fun! :) It would add such a great bit of “whimsy” to Clara’s room!

    Reply

  45. becca says

    hi there! i love your style and love clara’s room. i saw a stuffed animal(?) on her bed, though, and was wondering if clara has a plush doll that she likes?

    my daughter piper will be two soon and i was thinking about getting her one, but the only things i saw on etsy were weird looking, really expensive, or not able to be washed in a washing machine. you’ve had some great product roundups regarding stuff for clara in the past, so…any thoughts?

    thanks! :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      She has a giraffe that we got in a gift shop made by Jellycat that she has loved since about 3 months old. Sleeps with it every night and takes it everywhere. It washes well and it probably helps that it’s not white (it’s brown and gold). I bet you can find it on amazon.com (search jellycat giraffe). Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

  47. Heather says

    I don’t think I would go with something 3-D on that wall under the canopy, but one of those painted (or decal) wall slogans could be awesome. Either something inspirational or something relaxing. Joy, Rest, Hold Onto Your Dreams (ooh I like that one) maybe?

    Reply

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