While browsing Toys R Us & Babies R Us last weekend, we came across a cute Tinkerbell canopy bed that Kaylee just loved. She already had a nice toddler bed, so we didn't give it much though, or at least I didn't. Daddy had other plans...
Derrick thought that it would be pretty simple to make her a canopy for her existing bed from a PVC frame. He is the king at PVC pipe creations...
(Just to name a few 🙂
And he was right. He was able to put this frame together in a matter of minutes and Kaylee was thrilled! She loved having just the frame, never mind having any sort of canopy attached. Kids are easy to please. I took her to the fabric store and she chose a couple of fabrics for the project. A pink kitty fabric and turquoise tulle.
After a couple of hours of stressing (I'd never done something like this before and did not have a pattern) and sewing, here is the finished product!
It fits perfectly, thanks to a few minor adjustments and an extra seam through the center to tighten it up a bit in the end. I've already had some requests for a tutorial. If I had any idea what I was doing(when I was doing it), I might have written down some dimensions and instructions, but it was a first time project for me that would probably turn out differently if I did it again. Basically...
You can see that both side panels are kind of a triangle shape. I followed the outline of the frame that Derrick made and added an ½" all the way around for seam allowances. I used a ⅜" seam and that gave it a little room for error. I used newspaper to make pattern pieces (taped it to the pipes) and then cut out the fabric shape. The top is one long piece that is the width of the pipes and stops where you see the crease on the front. That is a seperate piece so that it would fit the angle. It is also the width of the pipes, but only 4" or so in length. Then there is another piece directly on the front attached to the small 4" one. I made it long enough so that it was flush in length with the side panels. So the sides are each 1 panel and the top is 1 large panel + 2 smaller ones on the front and another 2 smaller ones (the same size as the front) on the back. This probably doesn't make any sense. Just use your frame as a guide. I'm not sure what it would have looked like if I just did one piece for the top and didn't use seperate pieces for the angles, it might have been fine. I'm not an expert so I just did what I thought would work. Then I hemmed it all the way around and sewed the little curtains to the hem. Total fabric for the project 3 ½ yards pink + 4 yards tulle.
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I used extra fabric to make ties for the faux curtains and a throw pillow. This is the reverse side of her owl comforter in the first photos. It matched the new canopy perfectly!
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I used extra fabric to make ties for the faux curtains and a throw pillow. This is the reverse side of her owl comforter in the first photos. It matched the new canopy perfectly!
She loves her kitty bed (although she calls it a Tink bed after seeing the Tinkerbell one at the store) and sleeps, not only in comfort, but in style!
Here is a close-up on the fabric. It was found at Joann's in the juvenile apparel selection at 60% off last week. I picked up several prints since it is so bright and cheerful, and nice and sturdy! So much better than calico.
Sarah says
Hi, I know this post is old but I wanted to let you know I copied the idea and built a pvc frame and sewed a my little pony canopy for it. I wanted to send you a picture if I could.
Brandy says
I'd love to see it! [email protected]. And (with your permission), I'd love to share it on my FB page!
Samantha Bodde-Spangler says
Any way to get the pattern from ya? thanks
Brandy says
Hi Samantha, this was my first time making a canopy like this so I didn't make a pattern and we no longer have the canopy to get the dimensions for you. My girls outgrew it. I'm sorry!
Melissa C says
I am wondering if your hubby secured the canopy frame to the bed somehow? We're looking to build my son a tent like structure for his twin captain bed, and I love the idea of pvp pipes. They really are so versatile.
Brandy says
Hi Melissa, I sewed the canopy so that it fit nice and snug. You could use sticky velco tabs to help secure it more, but then you couldn't ever wash the canopy. I'm wondering if there is another way. Maybe some ribbon sewn and then tied to the pipes?
B. Maura Townsend says
I have an instructable up here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Rainbow-Canopy-for-Your-Childs-Room/ for a canopy on a converted crib bed, and a bunch of folks had asked me how to do this for a regular toddler bed. Found you via pinterest, and I linked you from the comment section on my how-to.
Awesome!
Brandy@Gluesticks says
That rainbow canopy is soooo cool! Thanks for sharing the link!
Betsy @ Anna Nimmity says
Adorable!
shessuchariot says
Ahh, I love those moments when you're mindlessly clicking links and out of nowhere stumble upon a really great blog, thinking why haven't I been following this woman before? 🙂
Loooove this canapy. Thinking of buying a toddler bed similar to yours, but really wanted a canopy as well. For some reason every toddler canopy bed I find is made of plastic and I just can't swallow a plastic bed. Well you've answered my prayers darling, because my PVC-master husband has a new project to start. So cute!
Brandy says
Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you stumbled upon our blog 🙂 my daughter loves her bed, and you are right. It's hard to stomach the cost of a storebought one!
.:+Pearlofafrika+:. says
wow! super creative.
Jen says
Oh my goodness! THis is amazing! Please drop by and link this up to my very first link party at: http://icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com/2011/11/head-to-head-showdown-1.html
~Jen
Angie says
Awesome project! Love your creativity. Tahnks for linking up!
Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says
This is WONDERFUL! I love it- what a great idea!! Would love for you to come share at Feathered Nest Fridays sometime! 🙂
Amber *SaltTree* says
fantastic!
Nan @ Playful Decor says
I love this idea! If I had a girl, we'd be buying pvc! Great idea! Thank you for linking up to Tuesday's Nursery!
robinhood says
I read your blog and knows, that we can use Glue Sticks as a maker of our home..
Jennifer Juniper says
Very clever! I featured your bed this week 🙂
jen
Candace @ Candace Creations says
That is super awesome I love the canopy!
come link up tomorrow at scrappy saturdays!
Kathryne Joy says
Cool have you been to pvcplans.com ? They would love your ideas.
Sara says
How ADORABLE!!! Would LOVE it if you would link this project up to my turquoise linky party going on right now!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2011/09/turquoise-lovin-3.html
cALyPsO says
THATS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Delaney says
Congrats! You've been featured on Fabulousity Friday at Sweet Tea Serendipity! Stop by & pick up your award: http://sweetteaserendipity.blogspot.com/2011/08/fabulousity-friday-10.html
Delaney says
How awesome!
casserole says
Brilliant!! I linked to your project on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/lookie-what-she-made-bed-canopy-from-pvc-pipe/2011/08/08/
--Anne
Kristine @ JandMs Eye Candy says
Featuring all these awesome projects tomorrow on our blog!! We are blown away! Thanks so much for sharing and linking up! Please feel free to grab a button and get your brag on 😉 Thanks again!
Summer says
Thanks for linking up to Market Yourself Monday! I'll be featuring this on Saturday on my blog.
http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Sumo:)
Miranda @ Life in the Motherhood says
So cute!!! I wish I had a girl so I could do this. I'm totally pinning this...just incase we ever have a girl!!!
KRyStal says
This is so awesome! I admire your work I would really love to make this for my little girl hopefully I can follow by these pics 🙂
Danielle says
absolutely gorgeous. I am amazed at everything you guys have done with PVC pipes. So inspiring. I would love for you to link this up to my feature friday link party. This bed is just too cool.
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com
Amy@Sassy Scarlett says
Adorable idea! You guys did an awesome job, I'm very impressed!!
Michelle@Somedaycrafts says
This is fabulous. Any kid would love to have this in their room! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
Rachel says
Wow so adorable! I'm so impressed! I love the whole room (the tree on the wall, the owl pillow, the book caddy at the foot of the bed). I am definitely bookmarking this for when my daughter is out of her crib 🙂
Jennifer says
What a great idea!! That came out so good, I bet your daughter is thrilled! Thank you so much for linking up this week at Saturday Social!
xoxo
Jenn @ Social Salutations
April says
You are amazing! I am intimidated by learning how to thread my machine...
Em says
It's adorable! What a dream for a little girl!!
Carrie says
Darling! Gotta love how cheap and easy PVC is!
Desiree @ The 36th Avenue says
One word for you: STICKER!
Awesome idea!
Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com says
What a great idea. I bet your daughter loves it! Thanks for linking up.
Nicole@Thrifty Decorating says
That is amazing! Thanks so much for linking to Thrifty Thursday! I'd love to feature this next week! 🙂
Brandy says
Hi Sarah, yes it is the same concept as the ones I made the boys! Just used a sturdy cotton vs. fleece like I used with the other ones. It's nice to have a place to store their favorite bedtime stories!
Sarah says
I just found you blog, such a cute idea. Quick question...I saw the book caddy's that you made for your boys, then notice the one on your daughters bed. Totally want to make these for my kids, so I was wondering, is the one on your daughters bed the same basic pattern as the boys or is it different. Thanks!
Sarah says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie says
love this canopy you guys made! Thank you for linking up last week at Sew Woodsy! Please come back tomorrow and link up your most recent project!
Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy says
That is SO cool! Is PVC expensive? I've always wanted to make one of those puppet theaters. I would be thrilled if you linked this up to my Tuesday Confessional link party going on now: http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/07/tuesday-confessional-link-up-party.html
See you soon!
~Macy
Janet says
How sweet! You did a great job with the canopy and your husband with the frame. This is so creative and fun!
The Queen says
That is SOOO cute!!!! And looking at it I can see how if you had a boy (which I don't so no idea why the idea came to me 🙂 )you could totally turn it into a school bus bed by simply making the cover yellow and the flap of fabric stretch down to the bed frame with a window, etc.
Tonia @ TheGunnySack.com says
Just what every little girl dreams of...a canopy bed!! I love how you did it!!
Misty @Creative Itch says
LOVE this!! Thanks for sharing @'Sew Cute Tuesday'! I'll be featuring you tomorrow, so be sure to stop by and grab a 'featured' button!
Misty @Creative Itch says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jen-CraftOManiac says
THAT IS FLIPPEN AWESOME. I love the fabric and materials you used to dress the canopy too. Going to share this on COM-FB winks-jen
Stephanie says
That has got to be like the cutest thing ever! And how creative to use pvc pipe...looks like you are a pro with that stuff though! I love the book bag at the foot of the bed.
nila1920 says
you did a wonderful job! very creative! oh and I love that book caddy you made out of the flat sheet! brilliant:D
Sachiko says
This is such a great idea! Thank you for sharing!
Prissyville says
How cool is that?!? I would never have thought of that. Great blog and projects BTW!
the cape on the corner says
oh my gosh, what a fabulous space for a little one! i would have loved to curl up with a book in that special bed!
thesleepyknitter says
I love this so much! Beautiful and brilliant.
Adrianne says
This is beautiful!! Oh man, when we get to big-girl bed in my household, it's going to be SO. MUCH. FUN. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Happy to be your newest follower ~ Adrianne
happyhourprojects.blogspot.com
Rachel @ Pleased as Punch says
Your daughter must think she's in heaven! The ONLY thing I wanted when I was little, was a canopy bed. There's something so princess-y about it. 🙂
kasia says
Awesome idea! And I love the toy bucket stand as well. Thank you for sharing
Katie says
I would love the pattern for the Toy Bucket. Awesome job on the Canopy!!!
Amanda says
You both did a fantastic job, it looks amazing!
Amanda @ The Little Giggler says
What a sweet little bed! It looks amazing!
Ladyinwaiting35 says
How bout a tutorial on that Canopy Cover? Or post the dimensions of fabric needed. I sew but I'm not the best at "from scratch" creations. 🙂 PLEASE 🙂
Juli says
I love it! I would never think to make my own! Awesome job! -Juli
ahenandherchicks.blogspot.com
Amanda says
This is awesome! I love that it was a cheaper material & it is something removable, if needed.
~Amanda @ creatingamongstboys.blogspot.com
April says
I love it! You did an awesome job!
btanders says
Holy cow! How cool is this?!? My kids would go nuts!!
Katie says
What a genius idea! I'd love if you would join us over at Sew Woodsy and link up this project!
Cindy says
Awesome post! Thanks for sharing 🙂
TiffanyAnn says
This is so stinkin' adorable!!! Can I ask how you attached the tulle to the canopy? DI you just sew it on all the way along the top?
Lesley Litrento says
Seriously out of control creativity. Awesome.
Megan says
I always wanted a bed like this when I was a little girl!
megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com
Amy says
So cute! You did a really good job!
radn@HouseonAshwelllane says
What a beautiful canopy.Decorating girls rooms is so much fun.
Deanne says
what an amazing little girls bed!
Sam Findlay says
Super super cute!!
Zerique says
I love your blog and I really love this project!!!!!I am going to have to try this one! I would love if you would join my link up tomorrow where I am hoping to feature any and everything DIY, from recipes, to sewing, to before and afters, etc... Come on by!!!
onesweetstory.blogspot.com
Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie Dust says
Oh my goodness, how creative & adorable. You & your hubby are geniuses!
Warmly, Michelle
Art For Little Hands says
My little girl would love this. So cute. I also like her little book thing on the bottom of her bed.
Mallory says
This is AWESOME!!! I want one for my bed! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Connie the crafterbug says
Wow this is genius and so adorable!
Connie
Lisa says
This is so neat! Great job to you and your husband!
LeighAnn says
What a handy husband you have! I love PVC.
a&c says
Amazing, you make it sound so easy!
Liz says
That is amazing! Great job!