When the boys go to bed, they allowed a half an hour or so to read books before we turn out the lights. They each start with a church book or magazine, and then can read whatever they’d like after that. They look forward to their “reading time” every night. I thought that they might like to each have a space to keep their nightly books. We keep the bookcase down stairs, so something that could easily hang on their beds to keep it simple when it’s time to go to sleep.
I measured the width of their bunk beds and then folded the fabric (fleece, in this case) in half. I wanted my caddy to be 13″ high, so I cut a piece 14″ tall (to allow for seam allowances) and 37″ wide (the width of the bed). Unfolded measurements (28″x37″).
I sewed up the sides, kept the bottom folded so that I didn’t have to sew it, then created a casing around the top. I left the ends open and slid in a 3/8″ wooden dowel on each side. One in the front, and another in the back. This was for stability. I didn’t want the fabric to sag in the front. Then I sewed button holes through both thicknesses of fabric (front and back) so that I could hang the fabric without putting too much wear and tear on the fabric with the weight of the books.
Finally, I added a monogram and hung the caddy!
I filled each with a couple of books that I wanted them to browse, and let them fill the rest of the space with their favorites.
They turned out perfect and the boys love them!
I used fleece because that is what I had on hand. A sturdy cotton, canvas, or denim would work well. Probably better. Fleece is stretchy and could sag over time even though I have the stretch going width-wise, not length-wise. But these work perfectly for us.
Kim @ seven thirty three says
March 17, 2011 at 4:39 pmI’ve been thinking of putting something like this for a while, but have yet to get around to it. I love how yours turned out!
Kelli says
March 17, 2011 at 5:06 pmI just made (and blogged about)a bed caddy for a friend’s son who is in the top bunk too! But she wanted to attach it with velcro to the side of the bunk. Attaching it to the sides is a great idea. I bet your boys love it!
Amanda says
March 17, 2011 at 6:03 pmLove this!! What a great idea!! I think I’ll make them for my girls’ bunk beds!!
Connie the crafterbug says
March 17, 2011 at 6:15 pmVery good idea!
Alison says
March 17, 2011 at 6:34 pmI love this! I just checked on my little one (it’s naptime) and she has books all over her crib! Was just thinking I need something for her books!
Erica {B is for Boy} says
March 17, 2011 at 6:44 pmThis is so clever & perfect for those piles of books next to the bed!
Danielle says
March 17, 2011 at 6:50 pmI love how these came out!
Danielle
ME says
March 17, 2011 at 7:19 pmGreat idea!
Judy says
March 17, 2011 at 7:39 pmI recently made a book bag for my son because he too has books all over his bed each night. I love how yours turned out, and that it stretches the width of the bed to allow more books!
Alicia @ littlesprinklesoffun says
March 17, 2011 at 10:02 pmGreat idea! Turned out so cute!
I am your newest follower!
Tanya says
March 18, 2011 at 12:16 amWhat a great space saver, and cute to boot! I’ve been wanting to make book slings to go on the wall next to my boys’ beds (the kind that uses double curtain rod holders) but figured someone would get impaled. This is a great alternative!
Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says
March 21, 2011 at 2:06 amThese are so cute! And I love the monograms 🙂
cajungal01 says
March 21, 2011 at 2:22 amI love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing! I was trying to figure out if I wanted to put gutter shelves by my kids bed area (they are in bunk beds too) BUT this is SO MUCH BETTER!
THANKS!
~robin
The Gunny Sack says
March 21, 2011 at 2:37 amThis is a great idea! There are always way to many books on the bunk beds!
Last Minute Mel says
March 21, 2011 at 10:55 pmVery cute, clever AND practical 🙂
Stacy says
March 21, 2011 at 11:09 pmSuch a smart idea. I love it!
Stacy says
March 21, 2011 at 11:09 pmSuch a smart idea. I love it!
Jennifer says
March 22, 2011 at 5:36 pmCool idea! We will be getting, or making rather, bunks for our boys very soon. I’ll have to bookmark this project! Thanks for sharing over at Tip Me Tues.
Jen
Scissors & SPatulas
Stephanie says
March 22, 2011 at 9:00 pmThat’s a really cute idea and they turned out nice!
Kelly says
March 23, 2011 at 4:22 amVery Clever! Love it! I’m hosting my first Linky party and would love for you to submit to it!
http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/03/glitters-first-linky-party_22.html#comments
Brittany says
March 23, 2011 at 4:33 amSuch a great idea, and even looks like something I might be able to make! Thanks!! 🙂
radn says
March 24, 2011 at 4:35 pmWhat a neat idea! I love the polka dot monograms you did.
I am having a giveaway on my blog.
$40 store credit to get a drawstring backpack with an adorable applique, great from summer camp and trips and lovely spring hair accessories for girls. You just have to leave a comment to win.
http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/2011/03/40-store-credit-free-shipping-from-o-to.html
Sommer says
March 27, 2011 at 5:07 pmOh this is brilliant! I made some book slings that hang from a curtain rod on the wall but this is so genious and no holes in the walls! I would love to have you share this at my VIP party today =) http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/vip-party-8.html
Ellie says
March 27, 2011 at 9:25 pmWhat a great idea! They look super cute and practical. 🙂
cajungal01 says
April 20, 2011 at 8:26 pmHi again! Just wanted to let you know that I took your inspiration and made some of these! I linked your page too so I hope that’s ok! :0)
Thanks again for sharing these! You did a great job!
:0)
~robin
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
June 2, 2011 at 12:56 pmSo, so SMART! I need to make these for my kiddos!
aggieam01 says
June 2, 2011 at 1:53 pmWell this just makes total sense and really solves a problem we have around here. Thank you so much for the inspiration. This is definitely on my list of things to make this summer!
aggieam01 says
June 2, 2011 at 7:17 pmSo I showed this to my kids and they had to have one, NOW. I made them a yellow and black Star Wars one and am working on the one for my oldest. Thanks so much! http://powellfamtx.blogspot.com/2011/06/star-wars-book-caddy.html
[email protected] Scarlett says
August 2, 2011 at 4:04 pmI love this!!
david says
August 19, 2011 at 5:07 amHi…Your post really got me thinking man….. an intelligent piece ,I must say. Get more information about Bunk beds
Art For Little Hands says
August 29, 2011 at 4:16 amLove this idea. My bookshelves just fell down off the wall. Three of them. They were great shelves, but not sturdy I guess. This is a great solution. Pinning!
Tammie says
September 30, 2011 at 12:13 pmWhat a great idea! I’m thinking I’ll do these more for the little trinkets and toys that he plays with before bed. They end up at the foot of the bed or on the floor. What a great idea! Thanks for linking to delicateCONSTRUCTION!
Angie says
October 15, 2011 at 1:31 pmMy boys would adore this…and such a space-saver. Going to have to pin this one for later. 🙂
G Inspires says
December 30, 2011 at 6:58 pmBrowsing your top 11 of 2011 and these are great. I think my son is going to need one of these. I love your site!
Midnight Mama says
September 1, 2012 at 9:12 pmSo, now that you have had these for a while, how did the fleece hold up? We have tons of those knotted fleece blankets that could easily be re-purposed for this.
Midnight Mama says
September 1, 2012 at 9:13 pmSo, now that you have had these for a while, how did they hold up? We have tons of those knotted fleece blankets and this would be a great way to re-purpose them.
Brandy says
September 1, 2012 at 10:26 pmMidnight Mama,
We’ve moved since this post, but I had them up for about a year and they did great! One of the dowels inside cracked in half and it sagged, but that was from excess books that one of my boys put inside. I don’t think it should be used to hold more than 5-7 books for an extended period of time 😉 Good luck!
Nathan strong says
December 21, 2012 at 7:05 amWhat a great idea to putting things… I think my nephew is going to need one of these……For more please visit this site
mark says
January 18, 2013 at 5:22 amLove this!! What a great idea!! I think every one make them for their childrens thanks for sharing see more