A few months ago I shared some of my favorite Bed Crown and Crib Canopy Inspirations and let you all know that I was in the process of making a DIY Bed Crown and Crib Canopy for Riley’s nursery. At the time I had just purchased a vintage shelf for the Bed Crown and was just getting started on the DIY canopy, but promised to share a step by step tutorial once it was complete. Well…..guess what? I not only finished my DIY Bed Crown and Crib Canopy but I have officially finished the entire nursery. YAY!! So as promised, I have included a step by step tutorial that shows you how to make your own DIY Bed Crown and Crib Canopy for less than $80.00.
Here is what you need to make the Bed Crown and Crib Canopy
- Ornate Shelf
- Set of Queen Sheets
- Ruffle Trim
- Iron / Steam Iron
- Push Pins
- Fabric Glue or Hot Glue
- Stitch Witch
- 2 packs of Dual Lock Fasteners
- 1 pack of Velcro Fabric Hook and Loop Fasteners
- Scissors
- Spring Loaded Curtain Rod
Here is what you will need to securely hang the Bed Crown and Canopy
- Plywood
- Stud Finder
- Level
- Screws
- Nails
Step 1: Take your flat sheet out, lay it on the floor and fold it in half vertically
Step 2: To keep your sheet from moving you should pin or clip the sheet so that both sides are even (this will make it so that you can cut your sheet in half evenly). I would have normally used push pins to keep the sheet together; however I was def. being lazy, as I had a ton of paper clips right beside me so I decided to use them; however I would def. suggest using push pins over paper clips 🙂
Step 3: Cut your sheet in half at the fold using sharp scissors. This will create the two panels that will drape over the crib. (Sorry, for some reason I didn’t get a picture of this).
Step 4: After separating the two pieces you will want to lay them on a flat surface and iron out all of the wrinkles. Then you should fold the cut edge over about 3/4 to 1″ and iron it so that it lays flat
Step 5: Cut a piece of stitch witch and measure it out so that it covers the entire length of the sheet
Step 6: Place stitch witch under the fold and pin in place with push pins
Step 7: Iron Stitch Witch in place. Once you have the stitch witch pinned under the fold you should remove the first few pins and place a cloth over top of the fold. Next you need to dampen the cloth by spraying it with water from the iron. Then you should place the iron on top of the cloth directly over the fold and hold it for 10 seconds.
Make sure you hold the iron in place and don’t move it up and down, it’s only meant to apply heat so that the stitch witch will adhere to the fabric. Continue adhering stitch witch all the way down fold to create a clean hemmed edge
Repeat the steps above to create a clean hem for the second piece
Step 8: Create Knife Pleats in each of the panels. To create a knife pleat you must first determine how wide you want your pleats to be. My pleats were about 3 inches wide. So I started at the edge and went over 3 inches, I then picked up the fabric and folded it over 3 inches so that the fabric doubled on top of itself. I then pinned the pleat in place.
Step 9: Once you have created and pinned knife pleats across the entire panel you need to glue the pleats in place. I used fabric glue but you can also use a hot glue gun.
After you finish pleating one panel you need to repeat the steps above to create knife pleats in the second panel.
Step 10: To create the backdrop for your crib canopy you are going to use the fitted sheet, so take our your fitted sheet and hang it so that you can steam iron all of the wrinkles out of it. I hung mine on an old plastic rolling rack that I got from Wal-Mart years ago. If you don’t have a rolling rack you could hang it over a curtain rod, shower rod or you could put two bar stools together and drape it over the back, you just want to make sure it’s tall enough so that you can iron the entire sheet without it touching the floor.
Step 11: Once you’ve ironed the wrinkles out of the fitted sheet you need to cut the bottom edges along the inseam so that the sheet is no longer fitted (I apologize if this is confusing, as I was moving so fast that I didn’t get a picture of this step)
Step 12: Apply Hook and Loop Fabric Velcro to the top of your fitted sheet. Start by laying your fitted sheet right side down. Before ironing the hook and loop velcro in place make sure that you lay them out to ensure they are going to connect properly. You are going to need to iron one piece of the hook and loop so that it is about 1 1/2 inches down from the top of the inside of the fitted sheet. Then you will go down about 3 inches and iron the connecting piece of velcro in place.
Step 13: Next you need to adhere the pleated panels underneath the top of the bed crown. To adhere the panel to the shelf I used 2 packs of Scotch Heavy Duty Fasteners. Each pack comes with 2 square sets of dual lock fasteners; the good thing about the dual lock fasteners is each piece is exactly the same. They are made so that they interlock together to create a strong hold. Start by turning your bed crown upside down where the top is face down. Now you need to adhere 3 of the dual lock fasteners to the edge of the underneath side of the shelf (I’ll explain why I only applied 3 a little further)
Step 14: Next take one of the panels and lay it so that the front is facing upwards. Now apply 2 of the dual lock fasteners to the top of the panel.
Step 15: Turn the bed crown so that the front is face down; Now you can fasten the panel to the bed crown.
Step 16: Adhere 1 of the dual lock fasteners to the front of the second panel making sure that it’s close to the edge so that the panel will cover the entire back of the bed crown. Go ahead and fasten the second panel to the bed crown.
Step 17: The two panels are wider than the bed crown causing them to overlap in the middle, so you have to adhere a dual lock fastener to the back of the first panel and another dual lock fastener to the front of the second panel in order to secure them together (I actually just took one square and cut it in half so I didn’t have to use an entire set for such a small space).
Step 18: Since the heavy duty dual lock fasteners don’t go all the way across I used hook and loop dots at the edge to keep the panel from drooping at the edges
Step 19: After securing the panels in place I decided I wanted to add a little something to make them more girly, so I unfastened the panels and added chiffon ruffle trim to the front edge of both panels. Start by placing the top edge of the trim on the underside of the panel and then gluing it in place with a hot glue gun.
This is what it looks like when you are done
After you’ve glued the ruffle trim to both panels you need to fasten them to the back of the bed crown (in my case re-fasten them)
Step 20: Once you’ve secured both panels to the bed crown you need to adjust your spring-loaded rod to make sure it will hold the backdrop for the bed crown securely. To adjust your rod all you have to do is insert it into the back of the bed crown so that it fits snug. Then you tighten the screw to keep the rod from moving. The picture below shows the front side of the spring-loaded rod and doesn’t show how to tighten the screw, but it’s sooooo easy, I promise!!!
Step 21: Take the spring-loaded rod out and place it into the top of the fitted sheet
Step 22: Make sure that you push the fabric together so that the entire top of the fitted sheet is on the rod. Now you need to fasten the hook and loop squares to keep it in place.
As a side note, by pushing the top of the fitted sheet together it will automatically create pleats. This is what it will look like from the front
Step 23: Place your spring-loaded rod with the backdrop (aka fitted sheet) inside of the bed crown. Make sure that you place the rod into the bed crown with the front of the backdrop face down
Now you are ready to hang your bed crown and canopy onto the wall
Step 24: Measure and cut a piece of plywood that is the exact width and length as the back of your bed crown.
Step 25: Take the Plywood and screw it into the wall where you want to hang your bed crown. Make sure that you screw the plywood into studs for stability.
Step 26: Next you need to hammer two nails into the plywood to hang your bed crown. I used nails that were thick and long to make sure it was sturdy
Step 27: Hang your bed crown and crib canopy on the nails (make sure it feels secure)
Now you just have to drape the panels over the crib and Viola….you have a Beautiful Bed Crown and Crib Canopy
So…..What do you think of my DIY Bed Crown and Canopy Tutorial?!?! I hope you enjoyed it!!
Wow! How elegant for your little Riley!!! She will surely grow up to be a princess, for sure….It is beautiful, Jessica, and I love the colors you chose for her bedroom. There’s pink for the girlsie part and then there’s gray for the modern look. You definitely have good taste! Love it…and love reading your blogs!!! Thanks!!
Thanks Debbie, I’m so glad to hear that you like it!!! I thought the silver mist went well with the pink, it made it a little less “girlie” but still has a feminine feel 🙂
The crib canopy looks amazing! It looks like you put a lot of work into it, but it certainly paid off! Riley is going to be very lucky to such a stylish and crafty Mom!
This is beautiful! You are truly talented! I wish something like this would fit into my decor design for my little guy coming in November.
Hi Melissa, Thank you so much!!! When I came up with the color scheme I wasn’t sure if I was having a girl or a boy, so that’s why I used a neutral color so I’m sure you could make this work for your little boy, you could just get a less feminine bed crown (shelf) and don’t use trim on the canopy and it would be perfect, a room fit for a king 🙂
This looks beautiful! I also love the crib. Where is that one from?
Just noticed that u already posted the crib 🙂
Thanks Jamie!! I really appreciate it!! I’m glad you found the post on the crib!! Let me know if you want any further details 🙂 Thanks again ~Jessica
Pls let me know where do u buy the crown I search a lot I don’t find anything
Hi Ximena, I used a shelf that I found on ebay. You can look up shabby chic wall shelf and you should be able to find one that you like. Here is one that I found on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/listing/158767880/shelf-shabby-chic-shelf-wall-decor?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=furniture_low&gclid=CIXltNGOz7kCFVOe4AodXFoADQ
This is so elegant and beautiful! I’m currently renovating my room and was looking for bed wall canopy ideas and came across your post! It’s super useful and I will definitely try to follow your steps to make one!
Thank you so much!
HI Jennifer! Thank you so much! I”m so glad to hear that you found my tutorial helpful!! If you don’t want to make your own canopy you can buy a set of curtains that you like and hang them in the bed crown. Good Luck renovating your room!! ~Jessica
LOVE IT!!!! LOVE IT!!! LOVE IT!!! Thank you for your wonderful ideas 🙂 I cant wait to put my nursery together.
I LOVE IT!!! How many yards of ruffled trim did you need to buy?
Hi, I absolutely love your project; I’m curious, what were the measurements of the shelf? at least the length. I bought me one but I’m just curious if it’s going to be the right size and it’s hard for me to figure out the size you used. Thanks.
Hi Lala,
Thank you so much for the message!! Goodness, that’s a good question, I can’t remember off the top of my head but i’ll measure the shelf this evening and get back to you!! 🙂
Yeah, I was really wondering and didn’t want to move forward with mine without making sure so thank you!!
Hi Lala, Please forgive me for the delay! Everytime I went to measure the shelf Riley was napping. I finally got it measured and it’s 18″ wide!! I hope this helps!! 🙂
Hi Jessica, please know that your post is still being viewed years later and comes right up every time I search for crib canopies! Thanks for the inspiration as I had found a couple of these shelves on the DOLLAR!! Table at a local second hand shop and have been wondering how I could use one as a canopy. I’ve been OBSESSED with wanting one for my baby girl and now she’s 6 months already and I’m finally going to do it, despite the critics in my family. My little one is starting to grab, but can’t stand up yet and I can just pull the crib away from the wall when she can. Thanks so much for your post! You are very talented!
All the best to you and your family.
Laurie
Hi Laurie, thank you so much for the comment, that was so sweet of you 🙂 I am seriously jealous of your $1 Shelves, I need to go shopping with you 🙂 As a side note, I also was told by numerous people that the canopy wasn’t a good idea because it could fall or the baby could pull it etc. but thankfully Riley is 14 months and has never once pulled on it (and she grabs everything) I did; however quit draping them across the crib and just let them flow behind it. On another note, if you are okay with making your shelf a permanent bed crown then I would use a hot glue gun and glue the two side panels onto the shelf instead of using velcro (it will hold better). Good Luck on your crib canopy!! Please send me pictures once you finish it, I’d love to share it on my facebook page!!! Thank you again for your message!! Xo ~Jessica
Hello,
I am so in love with this canopy I cannot begin to say how in love I am. I have been dreaming of doing this with my little girl AraBella’s room for some time now. I cannot find the vintage shelf anywhere for a reasonable price, can you help me with that? I have everything else except the shelf. I would love help it would be very much appreciated!
Hi Danielle, Thank you so much for your comment!! I purchased my shelf from ebay. I just did a quick search on ebay for “ornate shelf” and found this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ornate-Vintage-Bed-Crown-Shelf-Shabby-Romantic-French-Cottage-Chic-21-1-2-/231441713220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e3004844
you would have to paint it but I think it would work beautifully! I would just keep searching ebay, they are usually the most reasonably priced 🙂 I hope this helps!! All the best of luck!! Xo Jessica
Your so welcome, I love your website. I am pretty artistic & crafty I have always loved it and your site is awesome. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! Its beautiful I will keep looking! This helped so much! Thank you again!
Aww thank you, I really do appreciate your comment. I have so many tutorials I still need to share but with a toddler and full-time job there is just not enough time to get everything done. I wanted to let you know that Hobby Lobby also has a great selection. Plus you can use your 50% off coupon 🙂 Here is the link to one of their ornate shelves (I love love love this one) http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/small-distressed-turquoise-wood-shelf-996538/
Your so very welcome. Oh I understand completely. I also have a full time job, and shes 9months old so still worrying about babysitters and all that good stuff. Its a rough road but so worth it lol. I cant wait to see them once your able to post them! Oh my I love this one! Thanks sooooo much!
So beautiful! Fabulous job…shared on my FB page!
Thank you so much Leslie!!! I really appreciate it!!! Xo ~Jessica
Brilliant! It came out beautifully… I have 3 girls, and every one of them would swoon for something like this over their beds. 🙂
Thanks for checking out my post via Blogtalk and for the sweet comment!!! Xo ~Jessica
Hi there mommies. Please note for safety that I would not recommend this once your infant can in any way reach the drapes. My sweet Je’Leigh had a beautiful canopy and pulled down the drapes and rolled herself into a little cacoon. Although big brother and I had a big laugh when finding sissy wrapped so tight her little nose was pressed flat to her face after nap time….it really could have had a tragic result. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL!