Currently, on a health kick, I’m doing what I can to stop my sleep being interrupted by the children help my children sleep through the night. My daughter needs someone to turn the light off once she has climbed back into her bunk bed, following a trip to the bathroom.
She has already broken two clip-on lights, we need a different solution. I had a eureka moment and decided to make her a bunk bed bag for storing book, torch, water bottle, crayons etc.. what better than a bunk bed organizer?
Can you imagine her delight with her new bunk bed organizer? She loves the colours, and has spent at least half an hour deciding what to keep in it:) ‘Thanks Mum’ said with feeling:)
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How to make a bunk bed caddy
- 2 pieces of fabric 10 by 11 inches, lined with heavyweight iron on interfacing
- 1 piece of fabric for book pocket 15.5 by 10 inches, lined with heavyweight iron on interfacing
- 2 pieces 7 by 11 inches for the front pocket
- 2 pieces of fabric for straps – 14 by 2.5 inches
- 2 Buttons
Fold book pocket in half and top stitch along the seam
Sew together long sides of front pockets, fold wrong sides together along this seam and top stitch
Place front pocket fabric on top of book pocket, place centrally with the bottom aligning
Mark the central point with tailor’s chalk – I find a quilters ruler helps
Pin the sides together. Pleat the excess fabric along the bottom
Stitch along the two sides, along the bottom to hold the pleats in place and down your marked middle seam to create two pockets.
Place this piece of fabric on top of the right side of back piece. Place the second piece of back pocket on top right sides together. Stitch along the sides and bottom
Trim seams and corners. Turn right side out
Create your straps – fold in small seam allowance along the two long edges and one short edge, press. Fold in half and press – stitch round these three edges. Repeat for the other strap
Sew in button holes on the seam end of the two straps
Fold in the top seam of the bag, press. Place the straps into this seam, 1/4 inch in. Top stitch into place.
Place your bag on the bunk bed, pass the straps round to work out the placement of your buttons. Sew on your buttons.
The tricky bit is fabric selection – I used an old curtain and a piece of skirt for my daughter bunk bed bag:)
As you can see I have had fun making a variety in different colours. I think this could make a great gift for any age,:) With the button fastener, you could use it the bag on a zimmer frame, wheelchair, back seats in the car for the children’s belongings – it is a versatile storage bag.
What a nifty little storage bag . I hope it works as a great solution to the issue x
Thank you:) seems to be helping – just need to persuade 4 yr old to stay in bed!!
What a great idea. I can think of lots of places in my house that would benefit from an organiser.
Have wondered about same design for the back of car seats, Zimmer frames, wheelchairs:)
That is a really clever idea! I hope it has the desired effect and gets you a less interrupted night.
Thank you, does seem to be helping:)
What a fantastic idea! They do say necessity is the mother of invention 🙂 x
Thanks – indeed!!!
Great idea – hope you get some more sleep now!
I did wonder why I hadn’t thought of it before!!
These are brilliant. My oldest lad always used to hang a carrier bag on the post of the top bunk and yet I never thought to make something like this for him. I’m having a bit of a “doh” moment!
He used to have a light that fixed to the bed with a screw on clamp type thing from ikea (that’s not a very good description sorry) which was pretty study and lasted him for years, I don;t know if they still do them though – ikea change their range pretty often don’t they?
Not sure exactly what type of clip light which has not worked… Suspect it’s not been a specific bunk bed light!
What a brilliant idea and love the colours you chose.
Are you going to be selling them in your Etsy shop? xx
Absolutely brilliant idea!
I wish I had one of these when my eldest son had a loft bed. Everytime we’d climb up to make his bed he’d have all sorts of things under the pillows and blankets! Torches, toys, even favourite rocks and bottle tops!
This is a great idea, so practical. I love your fabric choices too. I agree that they would be great in the car.
I really love this and my son would enjoy it on his loft bed! I’ve also pinned it to my free patterns & tutorials board to share with all! 🙂
Thank you, and thanks too for pinning:)
I love this idea!
What a fab idea!
Oh I love this! Really hope it works for you too!! Thanks for joining in with Tuesday Tutorials #pintorials
What a great idea, my daughter has all sorts of things at the side of her pillow – she has a raised bed with a playhouse underneath – I will remember your idea when she gets a little older.
That’s such a good idea! My boys could do with something like this, their beds are usually a mess.
I have three little ones and this will be of great help! Thanks for the idea, Vicky!