Photo: hozyaika-mama.ru Every mother makes sure that her child has the best. A canopy for a crib is not a whim or a luxury, but a completely functional solution. It protects the baby from insects, random drafts, bright and harsh light, and dust from windows. The child will always be protected in his small and cozy personal space. And we will tell you how to bring this idea to life!
Why do you need a canopy for a crib, and is it needed in principle?
Why do you need a canopy for a crib? This question worries many future parents. Opinions about the need for a curtain differ radically. Some people sharply object to such a structure, calling it a collection of dust, while others write rave reviews. Let's look at a few statements:
- It's nothing more than decoration.
In fact, the canopy is really beautiful. And, as you know, beauty brings many benefits: children and parents lift their spirits, a beautiful interior allows its owner to feel comfortable. The canopy over the cradle gives the baby's room a special charm - The canopy helps the child feel comfortable. A newborn baby finds himself in a huge world, where there are many extraneous colors, sounds and movements. Limiting the space with a canopy allows the baby to feel in a secluded corner.
- A child in a crib with a curtain falls asleep faster.
If it is in a common room, then the light and a working TV will constantly attract the attention of the baby, preventing him from getting ready for sleep. The curtain will protect the baby from all irritants - The canopy collects all the dust. It settles on all objects in the room, not just on the canopy. Timely cleaning is the rule for a child’s room. And the curtain over the crib protects it from excess dirt. Wash it once a week and hygiene requirements will be met.
- The curtain over the crib prevents access to fresh air. If the canopy is made of thick fabric, this is indeed the case. In cool weather, dense material will protect the child from drafts. It will also come in handy if the room has a split system. So it makes sense to have a change of different fabrics for each season.
- The canopy protects the child. In the hot summer, when fresh air from an open window is so needed, the baby may be bothered by mosquitoes and midges. A mesh curtain can serve as an additional protective barrier.
If there are curious cats or dogs in the house, the curtain will protect the child from their encroachments.
What to attach it to?
Children's stores sell special fasteners for canopies. Typically, this is a metal hoop attached to a tube. There is a clamp at the end of the tube that helps keep the structure on the back of the crib. There are also holder models that stand like a floor lamp directly next to the child’s sleeping place.
You can do the mounting yourself. To do this, you need to take a very thick wire and twist it in the shape of a circle or the letter P. You need to attach a tube to the headboard and insert the ends of the ring into the hollow end of the pipe.
There are other ways to attach this accessory. This can be done using a wide knitting hoop. To do this, you need to thread the outer part of the hoop into the cut on the crown of the canopy, and attach ribbons to the inner side. By connecting the hoops, you can get a secure fastening. But for this method you need to have a hook on the ceiling to which you can tie ribbons.
Attaching the canopy to the hoop:
Cape attached to a hoop:
Mounting on standard fasteners:
Advantages and disadvantages of a canopy over a baby's crib
As you can see, in most controversial statements the canopy still wins. Let's break down all its advantages and disadvantages:
| pros | Minuses |
| The canopy protects the crib from drafts and running air conditioning. You can unfold the curtain so as to protect the child as much as possible. | If the canopy is not secured correctly, it may fall and frighten the child. Children can tug on curtains, so it is important to make sure that your child cannot reach the fabric. |
| The canopy protects the crib from dust from the street, animal hair and plant pollen. | The canopy collects dust. If you do not wash it in a timely manner, the child will suffer from an allergic reaction. |
| The curtain prevents the penetration of bright light from a window or chandelier. | |
| The curtain prevents the penetration of blood-sucking insects and flies. This is especially true in regions with hot climates. | You won't be able to see your baby covered by a curtain from some corners of the room. |
| Finally, the canopy is simply beautiful. And don't pretend that it doesn't matter. |
So it turns out that the question of whether a canopy is needed in a crib is rather rhetorical. It all depends on your interior and additional protection measures.
If the baby has a separate room, there is no need to curtain his sleeping place from light and a working TV.
If there are mosquito nets on your windows and you use special children's repellents, mosquitoes and midges will not bother your baby in his sleep. So whether you need such an accessory or not, decide for yourself.
Design Features
A canopy is basically two pieces of fabric placed on a ring that is attached to a pole attached to the back of the crib. This is primarily due to convenience. With this design, you can easily change its location, and the crib will be accessible from all sides. Light protection is also provided on both sides.
There are other types of capes. They can be made either from a solid piece of fabric or from many wide ribbons that will flow around the child’s sleeping place. Either way, any of these ideas work the same way. The only differences will be in the size of the pattern.
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Fabric selection
The most suitable types of fabric for sewing a canopy:
- tulle;
- fine linen;
- chiffon;
- silk;
- chintz;
- cotton.
The fabric chosen is durable and wear-resistant - textiles in a children's room are washed very often. Nylon and organza are rarely used, since they are almost completely synthetic. In cold rooms, where there are often drafts, ivy, velvet, tapestry, and knitwear are allowed.
The smoother the textile chosen for sewing, the less dust accumulates on it, which means you can wash it less often.
How to choose fabric for a canopy for a crib
One of the basic rules is that the canopy fabric must “breathe,” that is, allow air to pass through. The most common option is mesh tulle. It falls beautifully in soft folds, does not interfere with the access of fresh air and looks very airy.
If the task is to cover the baby’s sleeping place from direct sunlight, choose cotton and linen fabrics
Important! Do not use dense synthetic materials to decorate your baby’s crib; they create a greenhouse effect and do not allow air to pass through.
Thin linen, tulle, chintz or cambric look advantageous when framed with lace and ribbons. You can decorate the canopy with bright applications. Be careful when decorating the canopy with electric garlands. Without a doubt, the child will love this illumination, but natural fabrics can quickly ignite.
Sewing order
After selecting the style of the product, calculating the material, taking into account folds, gathers and other decorative elements, we determine the footage of material required for sewing the cape.
Then we begin making a pattern that will be understandable even to novice seamstresses. On two identical pieces, slightly round the edges so that they mirror each other. Next, the upper and lower layers of each of them are processed with tape, or simply using an overlocker.
Both parts of the workpiece are connected. Then we sew on the frills and lace and begin sewing on the braid needed to secure it to the frame. We thread the cape through the holder, distribute it evenly around the entire perimeter of the hoop and carefully straighten the folds.
Canopies for boys and girls
Traditionally, shades of blue and green are used in boys' rooms; pink, orange and yellow are more appropriate in girls' bedrooms. Pastel colors and white are universal. They can be used in a newborn's room of any gender.
The color of the canopy is matched to the interior of the room.
For little princesses, choosing the appropriate canopy is not difficult - they will like almost any option
But with older boys it will be a little more difficult. But offer them a camouflage net or a canopy in the shape of a ship's sail, and they will be very pleased. This way, you will avoid a “girlish” design and will be able to fully take advantage of all the useful functions of the curtain.
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Mounting methods
The canopy is mounted on special holders that have a round, oblong, or U-shape. The structure is mounted on the wall at the head, in the center above the crib, along the perimeter. When attaching the first option, which provides cover only for the headboard, a holder in the shape of the letter “P” is used, which is attached with screws, and the canopy is put on. Placement in the middle is done on an oval or round base, reminiscent of a hoop - the bed is partially or completely covered. For hanging around the perimeter, the racks are attached above the corners of the crib - on the crib itself or to the ceiling. The curtains are simply thrown over the top, forming a “roof”.
A child over six or seven years old is already able to clearly explain which canopy he likes, so his opinion should be taken into account.
Mounting options for a canopy on a crib
The canopy can be secured in three ways:
- in the center of the wide side of the crib against the wall;
- above the headboard on a special mount;
- along the perimeter of the bed on a frame of four posts.
You can buy ready-made canopy holders for a baby crib or have them made to order, or make them yourself.
Types of devices for fastening canopies
Special holders are used to attach the curtain to the crib. They can be made of plastic or metal. Usually this is a round or oval ring, mounted on a vertical stand (stick). The canopy stick, in turn, is attached to the crib structure.
In such a structure, you can adjust the height of the stand and, accordingly, the fastening of the curtain
The choice of canopy design remains with the parents. There are canopies on sale as a complete set - from fasteners to ties. This kit contains assembly instructions and all the necessary fasteners. If your plans are to create an exclusive design, carefully consider its reliability.
The most durable option is to mount the holder on the wall using anchors or chokes and self-tapping screws
It will not be easy for a child to pull the curtain off such a reliable fastener. The holder itself can be made with your own hands from metal wire or a hollow tube.
How to hang a canopy bracket on a crib
The easiest way to attach a canopy holder to a baby crib is directly to its railing. There is no need to drill into the walls or damage the ceiling. The hanging bracket itself is very light and flexible. Its main drawback is unreliability. A persistent baby can bend or even break it by periodically tugging at the canopy. This does not pose a threat to his health, but you are unlikely to like it. In addition, mobile lightweight brackets look very simple, are completely hidden by fabric and are unlikely to decorate the interior.
It is easy to secure such holders - they are fixed to the bed elements with self-tapping screws or bolts
Fixed wall mounting is another matter. Craftsmen offer luxurious ideas for decorating such structures. They are very reliable due to their strong fixation in the wall. Ceiling cornices are also very reliable, the only difficulty is in using them on tension structures. In this case, you need to prepare a special stand to compensate for the gap between the canvas, the rough ceiling and the bracket.
Important! If you have chosen a stationary holder, first of all carefully consider the place for the crib in the room. After installing the bracket, changing the furniture arrangement will be problematic.
Video: how to install a canopy holder on a crib
How to attach canopy fabric to a crib
The canopy itself needs to be washed periodically, so its attachment is simple enough to put on and take off the fabric as needed. How to hang a canopy on a crib - this question depends on where the structure is attached. In most cases, the canopy has fabric loops that simply slide over the bracket tube.
Another option is a drawstring, which also fits onto the loop of the base.
The canopy can be fixed using Velcro or other fasteners or ribbon ties.
For self-production, you can choose any of the listed methods - they are all quite simple to implement.
Preparatory work
Sewing a canopy does not require special knowledge or experience, so you can easily make it yourself. To do this you need:
- Prepare a ribbon or braid to organize the assembly of the canopy on the frame.
- Choose a soft and light material that will match in color and structure with the overall design of the children's room and other textiles - for example, bed linen.
- Choose a frill: satin ribbon and lace for edging the material.
- Consider purchasing or making decorative elements.
Before you start work, you need to decide on the amount of material, which depends on the size, style, length and other design features of the product.
The length is selected individually. As practice shows, a canopy that is too short does not protect the sleeping area well and performs a decorative function, and it is quite easy to get confused in a cape that is too long. For newborns, it is better to choose a length that covers three-quarters of the back of the crib - slightly lower than the mattress. For older children, you can use a canopy that completely covers the sleeping area.
How to choose a canopy for a crib - recommendations from our editors
First of all, decide for yourself why you need a canopy. Will it be a purely decorative element, or does it have a practical purpose? As decoration, short canopies are used to decorate the head of the crib. But if you want the canopy to protect the baby from mosquitoes, drafts and bright light, you will need a floor-length curtain. For practical use, it is better to create two canopy options: summer and winter. The first is made of mesh, tulle or thin chintz and the second is made of tapestry or velvet.
Advice! When choosing a material for a curtain over a crib, keep in mind that it needs to be washed often, which means that the color of the fabric must be durable.
You can inexpensively buy a ready-made canopy for a baby crib; many manufacturers of baby products offer their products. But if you want to create a truly unique interior, sew the canopy with your own hands.
Your bright thoughts and love for your baby will make him a real amulet
Canopy function
A canopy over a crib or cradle will not only decorate the interior, but also make the child’s stay in it more comfortable. It is more difficult for bright light, insects, and cold to penetrate under the canopy, and the newborn will feel protected, since external irritants are minimized. Older children will also not refuse such a semblance of a “house”, hiding from prying eyes, especially if it is decorated in accordance with their wishes.
How to make a canopy for a crib with your own hands
The first and most important stage is determining the location and style of the canopy. The crib is usually placed in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight. In the newborn's room there should be room for a chair or sofa for the parents. At first, the baby will need frequent feedings, and if he suddenly gets sick, you will under no circumstances leave him alone at night. Where there is a crib, there is a curtain. We have talked a lot about choosing a canopy design, all that remains is to give practical patterns.
Examples of canopy patterns for a crib
Please note that the canopy, despite all the airiness of the structure, requires quite a lot of fabric. Here are some sample patterns.
Step-by-step instructions on how to sew a canopy for a crib
| Illustration | Description of action |
| For the canopy you need to make four parts. In our case, this is a canopy with a skirt, so you will need one large piece of tulle or organza and three pieces of fabric with a pattern or just a solid color: a skirt, a bow and a bow loop. | |
| To cut the parts evenly, you can not draw on the fabric, but mark the cut lines by pulling the thread. | |
| Trim the hem on the tulle and skirt fabric so that all lines are straight and no ruffles appear. | |
| Try to cut so that the parts are solid and not prefabricated. The fewer seams, the better. | |
| The stripes used to decorate the edge of the canopy should be the same length as the canopy itself. These parts should also be made integral. | |
| Sew trim strips to the edge of the tulle. Make sure that the stitching does not bunch up the fabric. After stitching, press the seam and fold the strip of fabric in half. Iron. | |
| The bottom corner of the stitching should be turned out as shown in the picture. | |
| Fold the bottom edge of the tulle twice by about a centimeter and set aside, carefully straightening the stitching. | |
| Sew the folded edge of the tulle trim. | |
| All stitching areas must be smoothed with an iron. Do not place the sensor at a high temperature - thin fabrics may not withstand it. | |
| To create a drawstring on the skirt part, make a bend of about 18 centimeters. Turn it over and stitch it. Then make lines at a distance of 5 and 10 centimeters from the outer edge. In the space between these lines you will thread the stand ring. | |
| Turn over and stitch the edge of the skirt evenly. | |
| Sew the top of the tulle to the inside edge of the skirt. | |
| Make a big bow. To make it voluminous, you can place padding polyester inside. The central loop of the bow is completed with Velcro, so you can remove the decoration for washing. You should not have any difficulty in deciding how to put a canopy on a crib. The drawstring is simply put on the loop of the holder. | |
| This is what the assembled product looks like. It only remains to note that for the skirt and bow you can use chintz fabrics with small patterns, linen, cambric, and satin. In general, any option that will harmonize with your interior. |
Style, color
Canopies will best fit into such interior styles as:
- classic;
- modern;
- baroque;
- boho;
- Oriental;
- Mediterranean;
- romantic;
- antique;
- Gothic.
The color of the fabric should promote restful sleep and be combined with the color of bed linen and other room textiles. Most often, the canopy is made in pastel colors and powdery tones. Sometimes the color of the canopy is matched to the walls or made contrasting or accentuated.
The gender of the child also matters - for girls, canopies are most often sewn from pink, peach, and purple fabric, for boys - from blue, gray, and dark blue. The universal idea is snow-white; it gives the room incredible elegance. Two-color options are also acceptable:
- red with white and pink;
- brilliant green;
- sky blue with violet;
- apricot with periwinkle;
- bronze with light green;
- aquamarine with beige;
- mulberry with floral white;
- pistachio with slate blue;
- pink-amaranth with spruce;
- turquoise with lilac;
- pale chestnut with chamois;
- zinnwaldite with sunny yellow;
- fuchsia with dusty blue.
If desired, the canopy can be made rainbow, multi-colored, then the rest of the interior design should match.
Ideas for decorating canopies in a nursery
The canopy for a round baby crib can be decorated with a large bow, a princess crown or a flower arrangement. There are an endless number of design options; you can find an idea that suits you in this gallery of photos of designer interiors.
So, a canopy is a structure that serves not only a decorative role. It can be very useful for you and your baby. Share your impressions and experience in this matter in the comments to this article!
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Making your own canopy frame
The frame for the cape is also made by hand. It is made from thick but flexible wire, wooden, and plastic hoops. A good idea is a free-standing wrought-iron stand that has a lip with a ring at the top. Some options are attached directly to the crib using clips, clamps, and form a stable tripod.
Often a whole frame made of wood or metal is built under the curtain. The vertical parts serve as supports, the horizontal ones are intended for hanging fabric. The option looks original when the curtains “flow” directly from the ceiling - for this, a string cornice is mounted into the plasterboard ceiling structure, on which a canopy is hung.
Color solutions
The most popular shade, of course, is white. It creates the effect of lightness and weightlessness, and also does not irritate visual perception. In addition, the classic white color is very versatile, so it will harmoniously fit into any interior. This shade is in harmony with all colors and it will not be difficult to choose the shade of additional accessories to match it.
Still, manufacturers provide a wide range of different shades, including everyone’s favorite pink and blue. There are also unusual variegated color combinations.
A canopy made of fabric with a print will add originality to the interior and will be no less interesting to the child than a mobile or ruffles.
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