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Discover knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and art and craft ideas on this forum.

Arts and crafts

Bed tent

16 replies

helloitsme · 15/04/2015 23:39

I want to make a bed tent with DD to go on the bunk beds in her room. Maybe something like this. In my mind, this will be easy and fun (and cheap??), but I am not that crafty, and wondering if this seems a realistic plan for an inexperienced mum and a five year old. Was thinking about buying some sheets and some felt. Haven't got a sewing machine, hoping I might borrow one. What do you think?

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GemmaTeller · 16/04/2015 09:22

Duvet cover or bed sheets for base, iron on windows/flowers etc with bondaweb.

Looks quite easy to me.

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helloitsme · 16/04/2015 10:17

Thanks Gem. That's encouraging. I'm a total novice. Do you think I need a machine to hem the bedsheet/duvet cover after cutting it to size, or can I use bondaweb/hand stitch it?

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GemmaTeller · 16/04/2015 11:38

You could use bondaweb or Hemline or fabric glue.

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lucysmam · 16/04/2015 12:31

Oooh, I like that and dd2 would LOVE it!

Will add something like that to my huge list

(I'd try and make see-thru windows btw, not entirely sure how atm but will have a think)

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helloitsme · 16/04/2015 13:03

Thanks Gem and Lucy, that's really helpful. Now to google to buy some sheets....

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lucysmam · 16/04/2015 14:42

How are your sewing skills?

Could cut out windows, hem or bind the edges and then stitch a + across the middle and top to bottom

Or plastic sheeting. Although I remember that being quite pricey way back when I was at college & a friend bought some for a brief.

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helloitsme · 16/04/2015 22:49

My sewing skills are not outstanding. Hence the thread. The ones I linked to said they used a piece of dowling to strengthen the window and that it can also be used as a puppet theatre window. Having said my skills are not great (which they aren't), what you suggested doesn't look toooo difficult [worries these will be famous last words...]

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lucysmam · 18/04/2015 22:01

I hope you don't mind...I have been thinking about this today & wondered how you're planning to attach it to the bed frame? Self adhesive velcro might be the easiest way if your sewing skills aren't fab, or little tie thingys to wrap around the leg bits.

You see where the black bit is in the pic? That'd be good as a magnetic board/white board or similar.

There are some pretty ones on Pinterest with opening doors - they look to roll up and then tie or velcro open.

And some have window boxes...they'd be good with velcro on/off flowers.

I'll stop now (I like this idea a lot btw )

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lucysmam · 18/04/2015 22:13

Just seen another that has little curtains with tie backs stitched on as well! Very cute!

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helloitsme · 18/04/2015 23:26

How could I possibly mind? Love the enthusiasm! And thanks.

I'd been thinking about sticky velcro, but I'd also read on etsy about putting a curtain rail inside the bunk and then putting on curtain hooks. Not sure about it though, velcro seems easier.

Don't you think a magnetic board would be too heavy and make it rumple up? I love the idea of a window box with velcro flowers...any chance you can link to the ones you saw on Pinterest?

You are inspiring me, I've never done anything like this before, it's good to get a bit of motivation and energy to do it!

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lucysmam · 19/04/2015 09:09

I didn't think about the board being heavy It seemed a good idea in my head

I'll screenshot the one with the window box & post a picture...I have no idea how to link from app to app & can't remember my Pinterest login details for the laptop

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lucysmam · 19/04/2015 09:21

It was still signed in on my phone!

lots of ideas

You have to scroll a fair bit to find the ones with window boxes but there are loads with the little curtains, and all sorts of ones

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lucysmam · 19/04/2015 09:30

Type 'card table playhouse' into Pinterest as well! There are lots of different ideas there too

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lucysmam · 19/04/2015 22:08

Search 'No sew loft bed tent' as well...glue gun and felt used on that one! I got a glue gun for a fiver with 50 sticks of glue on amazon

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asuwere · 20/04/2015 10:52

how about starting with a basic bed tent then you can just customise it - might make it a bit easier than starting from scratch. :)

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helloitsme · 22/04/2015 22:45

Thanks Lucy and Asu, I can't get on to the argos website right now, but I like the idea of customising something ready made. We finished building the bunk beds today and disaster has struck....I bottom bunk, meant to be the den, is not high enough for her to sit up in! I mean, what's the point of a den where you have to lie down or sort of crouch all the time? and DD is only 5, so it's only going to get more of an issue as time passes. anyway, think i'm still going to press ahead, but wonder if she'll really play with it as much if she can't sit in it....