Tutorial: Baby Doll Bed

After making that doll bed in September I was debating about whether to do a tutorial.  Well, thanks to one reader's request you all are going to benefit because I buckled down this past week and got busy.  I made some tweaks, but it is essentially still the same doll bed.  The fabric isn't as cute though because our little craft store is so limited on prints.  As with all big tutorials be sure to read it through once before making. 

I will include the measurements I used but these can easily be changed according to your needs.  If you want it bigger, the walls to not be as high, the bias tape to be smaller, maybe longer handles, then make the adjustments.  This tutorial is the backbone.

You will need plastic canvas like this cut 43 by 4 inches.  I had to sew together a few pieces to get the length.  

You need an outer print [dots] and inner print [teal] that is 44 by 6 inches.   You will also need four strips of quilting batting this length.  The straps are 22 by 2.5 inches long of outer fabric, inner, and batting.

The shopping breakdown: 1/4 yard of outer print, 1 yard of lining, 1/2 yard for bias tape, batting, two sheets of canvas, lightweight interfacing [optional].

Take the outer fabric, batting, and inner fabric and pin them together.  Sew all the way down along the top.  Now set it aside.

Take the strap pieces, sandwich them together and sew.  Take some 1/2 inch bias tape [made from 1.5 inch strips] and cover the raw edges. 

Fold the body of the bed in half and place the straps down.  Be sure they are centered unlike mine in the picture.  You will only sew through the outer fabric.

 Sew starting where the arrow is going all the way down.  Flip over the body of the bed and repeat on the other side.  Be sure to line up the handles. 

Now for the pockets I used two teal pieces, some lightweight interfacing, and bias tape.  I sewed a rectangle and covered the raw edges.  Line it up along one of the sides where the handle is and sew it down only on the lining fabric.  I ended up creating three little slots. 

Now that everything is in place it is time to start putting the bed together.  Take the bed and fold it in half but this time right sides together.  Sew down the short end.  It should look like the second picture when you turn it right side out. 

I decided to use a thicker bias tape along the top.  Next time I probably wouldn't use one that is quite so thick.  It is 3/4 inch made from 2 inch strips.  Sew this bias tape all along the top rim of the bed.

Now get that long piece of canvas you sewed together and place it in between the batting.  You should have two pieces of batting on each side sandwiching the canvas.  Pin and sew it down and don't sew too close to the canvas or else the stitch will show when you bind it at the end.   

Once the canvas is sewn in, the bed will be able to stand.  Cut two oval pieces of lining for the bottom, making it much larger than you will need.  Pin the bed onto the bottom.

Sew the pieces together but be sure to leave an opening so you can stuff the bottom. 

Stuff the bottom with filling as much as you wish, pin the hole shut and sew it closed.  Make any adjustments to the shape of your bed now before you finish it off.

Trim the excess fabric and use the thick bias tape to cover the raw edge.  This was probably the hardest part of making the entire bed.  It won't be perfect but power through it!  Hang in there you are almost done!

Now we have to secure the handles.  Instead of sewing all the way across, I just sewed the bias tape on each side down where the arrows are pointing. 

Before you know it, you have a cute little Moses style doll bed with pockets for a bottle and handles so it can be carried.  After I finished, the print grew on me.   I don't  love it, but I don't hate it either. 

It has a cute retro feel.  Now all the baby needs is a pillow and a quilt. 

My little miss loved it even more than the first one I gave her.  I don't know if it is because she is older or because the print is probably more her style.  She carried it everywhere and even asked to bring it to the store.  I love that she loves it!  

If you happen to try this tutorial I would love to hear your feedback, suggestion, and see your finished product.  If you have questions feel free to shoot me an email.  Hope the little mama in your life enjoys it as much as mine has today!