How to Make a Baby Bassinet

Nothing says "newborn baby" like a bassinet beside your bed. A bedside bassinet buys you a few extra moments of sleep during those first few months after your new baby comes home. You can make a gorgeous bassinet all by yourself without spending much money, using items found at any thrift store. The only things you'll probably want to buy new are the foam piece, which you're going to cut to fit, and possibly eyelet material to decorates the inside and outside of the basket. Follow these steps to assemble your own baby bassinet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basket Fitted bassinet sheet Eyelet material Foam Scissors

1. Check your thrift store (or discount department store) for a large, sturdy, oval basket, either wicker or woven. Newborns average around 19 to 22 inches long at birth, so the bottom of your basket should be at least a few inches longer, giving your baby room to grow. Pick up a fitted bassinet sheet (standard sheet measures 16 by 32 inches) at the thrift store as well. Also look for a sheet of eyelet material, a delicate white fabric with small flowers and holes stitched throughout, large enough to line the basket and drape over the side. Eyelet material is traditional for cribs and bassinets because of its fragile, sweet look---just like that new baby. Or use any other lacy or juvenile print kid's sheet.

2. Buy a block of foam at a fabric store. The foam needs to be 2 to 3 inches thick and at least 25 inches long. Also purchase eyelet material if you didn't find any quality used material at the thrift store.

3. Cut the foam to fit in the bottom of the basket. Remove the foam cushion from the basket and cover the foam with the bassinet sheet.

4. Place the center of the eyelet material at the bottom of your basket. Place your foam cushion in the basket on top of the eyelet sheet, securing the sheet in place.

5. The eyelet sheet should drape over the sides, and look very romantic. Set the bassinet beside your bed---it's ready for your baby!