I was inspired by a bookshelf I saw in a store that looked like this…
I wanted an area where Isaac could put his books in his room. However, I didn’t want it to house all his books because those are in his playroom. I wanted to be able to put several of his library books that we get weekly in his room for him to read when he wakes up in the mornings or from naptime. So I came up with this…
I already had the dowel rod from when I hung his baby comforter on the wall here. And you already know what happened to his baby comforter. 🙂 I also had two extra finial pieces (you can buy these at Michaels, they are actually candle cups), the fabric, L brackets, screws and the paint. So all I needed to buy was one more 1/2″ dowel rod. It was $2.66 at Ace Hardware. I am sure you can find it cheaper at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
My dowel rods are 36″ in length.
Cut out a piece of fabric 34 1/2″ x 42″. Make sure the stretch is the 34 1/2″ side and not the 42″ side.
Fold it in half right sides together so it is 34 1/2″ x 21″ (this will double the strength of the fabric since it is two-ply now). Pin in place.
Sew around all three sides leaving a little opening to turn the fabric right side out. Turn the fabric right sides out and press the seams and fold under the opening so you can sew it shut. Top stitch around the whole piece of fabric.
Turn under the long side 1 1/2″ (press it in place) and sew a channel for one of the dowels to go in. One the other long side turn under 1 1/2″ also but turn it the opposite of the last channel. That way when you put the dowels both in place the sewn part will face the back. Does that make sense?
Cut two pieces of wood 4″ x 12″. Using a 1/2″ drill bit drill two holes in the wood. One is at the top and the other is below that. My first hole was about 1″ from the top of the wood.
Paint all the pieces the color you want it to be. You do not have to paint the dowel rod since it won’t be shown. But do paint the little finial candle cup thingies.
After the wood is dry drill two L brackets on each piece of wood.
Screw one side in place using mollies and screws for added strength. Put the fabric on the dowel rods and put the dowel rods through the holes on the wood. Then move the fabric out of the way to screw the other side in like this…
Then put the little “finial candle cup holder thingies” on to hold it in place. You can glue them on if you want. I didn’t just in case I want to take it down to wash it or something crazy like that.
make your little boy or girl happy. His reading nook is coming along quite nicely. I want to get a little end table and a lamp but I am not sure what I am looking for yet.
Great Idea!
Oh my GOODNESS I didn’t realize how small that chair was!! It’s freakin’ adorable!! Love the book holder.
I have one of the fabric bookshelves and love it, but yours is even cuter. I will have to try that! I had no idea when I saw that chair that it was child size. I have never seen one like that before. Absolutely adorable!
I love this! And his little chair is so cute! Will definitely be making one of these book holders for Jimmy, thanks!
I love it! I want that little chair…to cute!
You always amaze me with your clever ideas for making projects! This is great!
I. Love. This.
That is awesome! My Mom and Dad have been working on a full size bookshelf like that for a few years! By the time they finish it, my daughter will be too old for it!
your a genious! I want to make these for the wall next to their bunk beds. awesome
What a fabulous idea! LOVE it! I’m always looking for new book storage ideas. This is so cute! 🙂
~ Sarah
I LOVE it!
I can’t believe how your mind works. It’s fabulous!:)
xo
Chrissie Grace
Fabulous idea. Going to get the drill now!
You are one crafty lady! Love the book holder.
I love it! Very clever.
Becki,
Have you ever thought about doing a book with all these wonderful creative ideas you come up with? I am serious. Love this idea. I am going to have to tell my daughter because she loves books and so does our granddaughter and this would be so cute for her to make (she is crafty also). Thanks for the idea to pass along.
Cheri
Simply perfect. I love it.
Genius…like always!
I LOVE this! What a great idea… This is definitely a project I could do. I just might have to get off my butt and do it! 🙂 Thanks for the great tutorial!
great idea,, i love your blog. I dont have little ones anymore but I’m thinking it could be done for a magazine holder for the bathroom.. there are always magazines on the floor . Thanks for sharing.
I didn’t know how small the chair was either! too cute!
very clever on the book holder! much better than a basket on the floor!
Super cute, Beckie! I love those shelves… but am too cheap to buy them. : ( Sometimes that can be such a hinderance to finishing an area of the house. : )
Glad you and Tim were able to get away for a few days too… aaahhh, no responsibilty… gotta love it. : )
good idea! I also keep just a few books in J’s room and most of them on the first floor of the house. Great way to keep the books off the floor and in one place.
Is that how you get Issac to stay in his room until 8? He needs to talk to his buddy Garrett and tell him to stop getting up at 6:15am each morning!!
Okay, that chair is so cute! I didn’t realize how small it was! The book shelf is a great idea.
I really love your blog. You have given me tons of ideas!
Awesome idea!
It is like I am seeing Luke’s room in your pictures. Glad you decided to use the same colors, we love them too. Oh and the chair rail, too cute. I am so glad you have such a great sense of style. Thank you. Okay, was that silly?
What a cute idea! Love this!
Great work! I wouldn't be able to that. wow. It looks fantastic.
So Cool! I love it! Great job!
I love how you used the idea and then did it yourself. It turned out great.
Great work, I love the many of idea for storage on kids books, they tend to really grow and you just can't get rid of them they have become precious with memories