DIY Network

Exotic Bedroom Makeover Learn how to transform a college student's room into a fancy guest room. From "Ready As He Grows" episode DAHG-105

(Continued from page 1)

Bed Canopy

Materials:

burgundy striped topper
green stripe sheer
multi-colored sheer
gold metallic ribbon

advertisement

Use a light sheer for the front, back and side panels and a heavier fabric—matching the paint color of the bed, for the top.

1. Since the bed is a five-sided box (top, two sides, front and back), measure each side, and then add a one inch seam allowance to each measurement to determine the fabric dimensions, plus two inches for hems where needed. In this project, the bed top measured 48" x 96". One inch was added to each side for a final measurement of 50" x 98".

2. Using the top measurement, cut four pieces to make the four shorter "drop-down" sides of the fitted top. Make these pieces out of the same fabric as the top. The sides will hang down 12 inches. Cut two panels at 50" x 15 and two more panels at 98" x 15".

3. Measure the sides (head and foot) of the bed from top to floor, and side to side. Add one inch to the top, two inches to the bottom and one inch to each side for a total measurement of 50" x 71" (you'll need two pieces of fabric this size for each end of the bed).

4. Measure the length and the height of the bed for the fabric in the back. Add one inch to each side seam and the top seam, plus two inches for the bottom hem for a dimension of 98" x 71".

5. For the front, cut two panels approximately 20" x 70".

6. To begin constructing the canopy, start with the top. Place the large top piece down on a flat surface right side up. Pin the two long sides of the drop down panels to the long sides of the top--with the right sides facing each other. Using a one inch seam allowance, sew the 98" x 15" panels to the larger one. Pin the shorter sides to the top, and then sew them together using a one inch seam allowance. Once the four sides are sewn to the top piece, join the drop down panels at the corners by sewing from the corner of the large panel to the bottom of the drop down panel. This creates a shallow four-sided "box". Using a ruler, turn the hem under one inch all around and baste. Turn the fabric over another one inch, and then put in the final hem. Use whatever technique you normally use for hemming curtains or clothing.

7. To add side panels to the finished top, put the top on the table right side down. Pin the side and back panels in place along the seam allowance. You may have to flip the whole thing over and drape it over the table to be sure you've got the right sides facing out. Once the three panels are pinned in place, sew them along the same seam sewn into the canopy top--this reinforces the seam.

8. As with the shorter drop-down sides, sew the longer--larger sides from the top all the way down to the bottom to finish the corners.

9. Hem the two front panels along the side that will be "exposed" so that it is a finished hem. Only hem the "loose" sides—not the side that was sewn into the corner.

10. Pin the hemmed panels into the top, and then sew along the top seam allowance. Sew the panels from the top down to the bottom with a one inch seam allowance to close in the corners of the canopy sides.

11. Turn the bottom of the panels under one inch, and then baste. Turn them under again one inch, and then put in the final hem.

Figure A

12. Hang the canopy. Sew a small metal ring to the center of the top. Once the canopy is in place, this will create a "peak" in the middle.

13. Place the canopy with the corners over each post, and then gently fit into place.

14. Attach the center metal ring to a corresponding eyehook in the ceiling with monofilament (figure A), and then pull to about 12 inches. Double knot it into place, and then trim the excess.

15. You could allow you canopy to lay flat, or for a different look—pull the two front panels back and tie with a decorative raffia.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5