Q: I just bought this basic canopy bed for my daughter. Does anyone know a good source for canopy tops or sewing patterns for tops? I'm not opposed to curtains, but since my daughter's only 2 1/2 I'm a little worried about her getting tangled in them or trying to climb them. I would love to find something sort of clean and modern and not 70's & 80's :)
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Isn't 2.5 way too young forcanopy beds?
I'd use just a top with just a short drop for now (a "valance," if you will) and add a curtain later, when your daughter is older. It could look fresh and modern with box pleats and an Amy Butler or Dwell Studio etc type print. I can't find a good example of what I'm picturing, but kind of like these:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3gjbdg4
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3dvtatv
It should be simple enough to sew your own with a few measurements. I'd start with a flat sheet for a seamless piece of fabric pre-sized to approximately the right drop. It'd also be a good way to integrate the bedding - and it would probably be less expensive than cotton from a bolt.
What about using a purchased dust ruffle (a pleated one that is simple and modern) and sewing button holes at the four corners so it'll slip over the tops of the posts? That would also keep it taut along the sides.
You could buy angled curtains, like J.C. Penney's Lindsay Sheer Valances white. They wouldn't reach all the way to the ground,just half way.
You don't need a pattern, really.
Just measure the top (presumably a rectangle). Then, measure the circumference of the top rails. (I'd bet an extra four inches would do.)
Add the circumference measurement to the measurements you've taken for the top rectangle, giving yourself an extra inch or so for slack.
Add another inch to the center measuremetns for slack (you don't want it taut as a drum).
Cut a square out of each corner equal to the amount you added to go around the rails.
Then, stay-stitch it, fold over the side amounts that you added, run a long seam on each of the four sides, and wah-lah! Plain canopy.
If you feel the need for frou-frou, you could always tack some lace on the "tubes" for the rails.
The trick will be finding fabric wide enough to go over the bed without making a seam. You could use a flat sheet, which would be more modern, or you could order some lace.
Personally, I like fabric.com, and here's some pretty lace you could use.
I agree with making a valance topper for now. I like the idea of using a dust ruffle also. It might look nice and neat to put a triangular peice from the top to bottom of the pole with it tightly tied. eight total one for each side or a larger one wrapped around some what hidding the poles.
You could make curtains like these http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/02/nursery-progress-getting-the-hang-of-it/ (sew or no sew) - the clips make it a bit safer I think.