Easy-to-Make Bed Canopy Netting
Bed canopy netting can add mystery and romance to a master bedroom or create a playful retreat for a child. This plan will also work to create a true mosquito netting for a napping spot on a covered porch. You can make your netting quite simple or add ribbons, flowers and other embellishments. This project can be done from start to finish in just an afternoon, and you can be sleeping under your new canopy tonight. If you are looking for an affordable project with a big impact, bed canopy netting is an ideal choice.
-
Materials
-
You can pick up the materials for your bed canopy at any fabric store. You will need an 18 inch quilt hoop. A smaller embroidery hoop can be used for a smaller bed, particularly if you want only an accent as opposed to a functional canopy. Hula hoops work for larger canopies. You will also need approximately 10 1/4 yards of netting, tulle or sheer fabric. A smaller and less luxurious bed canopy can be made with ready-made curtains. Double-sided tape, seam binding, self-stick velcro and a sewing machine and thread are also necessary to make the bed canopy. Use cord or ribbon and a pot hook to hang your canopy.
Creating the Frame
-
Cut a 20 inch circle from your canopy fabric, and finish the edges with a serger, zig zag stitch or anti-fray product. Open your embroidery hoop and separate the two pieces. Using a single length of tape, wrap double-sided tape around just the outside of the inner hoop. Stretch the 20 inch circle of netting taut over the inner hoop, securing it to the tape. Place one end each of four strips of ribbon or cording equidistant around the hoop, leaving the other end of each strip free. Your canopy will hang from these cords. Wrap the inner hoop with double-sided tape a second time, working over the fabric circle and cords you have already put in place.
Making the Curtain Panels
-
Cut three 108 inch panels from your fabric, each panel the full width of the fabric, typically either 45 inches or 60 inches. From the leftovers, cut three 7 1/2 inch wide fabric strips across the full width of the fabric. Hem the bottom edge of each 108 inch fabric panel and stitch the selvedge edges together for 1 1/2 inches along the top edge, forming a large circle at one end of the panels. Using a long machine basting stitch, run two rows of gathering stitches near the top of your canopy netting panels. Pull the threads and gather to fit the frame, then secure the gathers by stitching seam binding in place around the top edge of the netting panels. Place the gathered panels along your hoop over the netting circle you secured earlier. The fabric will be held in place by the second round of double stick tape as you secure the outer hoop. Making sure that the ribbon or cording hangs freely, secure the outer hoop over the inner.
Finishing and Hanging Your Canopy
-
Stitch the three 7 1/2 inch wide frill panels together at the short ends and hem along one edge. Gather to fit the outer hoop and secure with seam binding, much as you did the three long panels. Apply self-stick velcro to both the outer hoop and frill and secure. Knot the four cords together, using a large diameter wooden bead to keep them even. Hang from a pot hook on the ceiling and arrange the netting panels around your bed. You can drape them evenly, tie them back near the head of the bed, thread them through a headboard, or loosely knot and drape at the corners of the bed.
-
