Main functions of canopies
A useful product is attached above the child’s crib to protect him. The need for such an interior item is determined by special functions:
- Protects the baby from external noise and prying eyes.
- Protects the baby from drafts and bright light.
- Transforms a child's room beyond recognition.
- Insects and mosquitoes will not bother your newborn.
- If a child is afraid to fall asleep on his own, the canopy creates a special atmosphere around him that calms him down. He will feel safe and fall asleep soundly.
- Thanks to special devices, you can hang the net without any problems.
Methods for attaching a canopy over a crib
For heavy and voluminous canopies, the central mounting method is best suited. This way the fabric will completely hide the crib so that nothing will disturb the baby while resting. This is a good option for newborns who spend most of their time sleeping.
The canopy around the perimeter looks especially impressive, because this is the method of fastening that was used in palace interiors. The fabric is completely distributed around the crib, and on top you can decorate it with a bow or a large accessory. But this design is the most difficult to install: as many as four holders are needed.
The canopy at the head looks graceful and elegant, even above the cribs of older children. Essentially, it is only above the head, and the rest of the area is open. In a dream, the child is protected from light and external factors, but parents can always control what happens to him.
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Kinds
Protective canopies for newborn cribs are divided according to several principles.
By type of fastening:
- over the entire crib - the product is called a tent, and is used to protect newborns. You can pull it over the sleeping bed or in the center.
- above the headboard - this option is suitable for beds of children over three years old. This approach allows the child to more easily contact the outside world.
- “royal” - this option covers the entire perimeter of the crib.
By speciation:
- Classic - used for furniture with a high back and having special supports for which the material must be secured. The optimal solution is if the bed is in the center of the children's room or under the wall.
- Dome-shaped is a difficult model to make.
- Semicircular - this type of frame is mounted when the bed needs to be placed in a corner.
By lenght:
- to the floor - protects the baby from drafts, but you need to be careful not to get tangled under the wheels of the crib.
- to the edge or middle is the optimal length. To prevent the canvas from dangling, it should be hooked to the side slats.
- short - perfectly breathable and protects from bright light.
The style of the canopies is determined by the location and design of the crib:
- Protective material with stands is a model that attracts the attention of teenage girls. The canvas is mounted on crossbars and racks crossed under the ceiling at right angles.
- Mini canopy - decorates a children's room. As a rule, these are ordinary curtains at the headboard, located on the wall.
- A canopy made on the ledges of the wall - they will cover the head of the bed.
- The protective canopy-sail is an attractive model that completely covers the wall. It is used for rooms of non-standard dimensions.
What material can it be made from?
Hundreds of years ago, people began to use canopies. Then they were either ordinary linens made of thick cotton, or expensive fabrics - velvet, silk or satin. Canopies over the bed protected from the nasty eye and annoying insect.
Now the use of a canopy is an important condition for comfort and healthy sleep. Regardless of the family budget, it is better to give preference to light natural fabrics in calm pastel shades.
- For the summer option, natural cotton, mesh tulle, shiny satin, flowing cambric, elite linen, airy chiffon, lightweight chintz, thin organza, glossy taffeta are suitable.
- For the winter option and rooms with drafts (for example, if the bed is near a window), it is better to buy denser materials: iridescent silk, decorative tapestry, luxurious velvet, cozy plush.
Such delicate, light, and most importantly environmentally friendly materials do not require special care, dry quickly and are easily washed without losing their appearance and attractiveness. They create a stable shade, do not interfere with free air circulation and are well ventilated, allowing you to maintain the optimal temperature for the newborn.
To create a special interior, pay attention to the texture of the fabric: smooth flowing or crinkled, mesh or patterned materials with spraying, intricate hemstitching, embroidery or magnificent ruffles look much more impressive and richer.
In the selection process, you cannot ignore the color scheme, which must be combined with the overall design of the room, with wallpaper, bedspread, curtains, bed linen and organizer on the crib. You also need to take into account that bright, saturated colors negatively affect the child’s sleep and calmness, so for newborns and infants it is better to choose calm tones without irritating elements.
For teenagers, choose bright colors with unusual and unique prints, lambrequins and appliqués. At the same time, the child himself can be entrusted with the decorating work.
Parents also need to decide what the cape will look like for a girl and for a boy. For girls, it is preferable to choose in pleasant delicate pink, lilac, yellow, violet or lilac shades. Subsequently, they can be used to decorate the cribs of older children and will become an important decorative part of the interior of your beauty’s room.
For boys, blue, green, brown or dark blue colors are considered traditional:
If parents decide to purchase a canopy before the birth of the child and do not know the gender of the unborn baby, then white or cream shades will be out of competition. These colors will suit any interior, regardless of the gender and age of the child.
Gallery: canopies for cribs (25 photos)
How to hang it above the bed
In the case where the canopy and crib form a single structure, the fabric is mounted on a hanging tripod. Mounting can be done in two ways: at the head of the crib or on the side wall.
If the canopy is attached above the head, the structure will protect the baby from the head to the middle of the body, and the fabric will not move out.
First you need to assemble and attach the tripod. It is a straight bottom and a curved top metal tube with a loop for a canopy. Next, you need to decide on the location of the structure. When installing a canopy over the long side of the crib, the canopy will evenly cover the entire space, and if over the short side, the crib will only partially cover.
The height of the tripod mounting is also important. It can be adjusted by placing the lower part of the tube on the wall of the crib
For ease of use, the tripod can be disassembled into parts.
7 photos
The finished canopy has drawstrings for threading into the tripod. If there are several of them, the result is beautiful folds. Next, the structure is put on the holder and tightened with screws on the wall of the crib. In any case, purchased kits are always accompanied by operating instructions and the fasteners themselves. The final touch will be to disguise the tripod ring with ribbons or lambrequins.
If you do not plan to move the crib, it would be safer to secure the canopy directly to the ceiling. To do this you need to make a cornice. A metal strip or wooden stick is attached with self-tapping screws to the ceiling according to preliminary markings. Next, the fabric is hung and ribbons or lambrequins can also be attached to the structure.
The frame for the canopy is easy to install yourself. The simplest is a U-shaped or semicircular barbell. In this case, the fabric is put on a bar, and it, in turn, is attached above the bed to the ceiling.
Another simple way is to use a regular embroidery hoop. The canvas is attached to a small circle, clamped with a second one and the structure is ready. It can be hung on the wall or on a hook in the ceiling.
7 photos
The so-called “royal” canopy looks luxurious and elegant. Perhaps the assembly of the structure looks complicated. But installing it is much easier than it seems.
A simple profile cornice is suitable for the frame. We attach a cornice or metal pipe to the ceiling along a perimeter equal to the size of the bed. You must first put the fabric rings on the pipe, then you can attach the frame to the ceiling.
You can place metal or wooden supports in the corners of the bed, and connect them together with tubes or beams on top. The structure is ready.
The canopy mounted on a bracket in the wall looks original. True, this method of fastening is more decorative. But you can decorate the canvas with everything, without exception: from sewn-on appliqués to garlands and ribbons woven into the design. The result is a beautiful interior element.
When choosing the material for supports and fasteners, it is worth remembering the safety of the child, since the structure must be durable and processed. Otherwise, the canopy may collapse and the posts may scratch the skin.
7 photos
Fabric selection
As a rule, synthetic fiber is not recommended for use because it accumulates static charges and sometimes provokes allergies. However, some types of fibers can be chosen for decorating your baby’s bedroom. Basically, products are made from the following types of fabrics:
- Thin chintz. It does not protect from bright light, but it is environmentally friendly and protects against drafts.
- Thick linen or cotton. They are not afraid of dust and sun rays.
- Organza. Creates an incredibly beautiful look, but accumulates a static charge. It requires simple fasteners.
- Velvet. Dense material, suitable for the cold season. It is able to retain the warmth of the room and protects the crib from drafts.
- Net. Provides good air circulation, which is especially important in summer. This canopy does not protect against bright rays, drafts and small dust particles.
For reliable protection against insects, you should use a mosquito net.
Advantages and disadvantages
Based on the functional features of the canopy described above, it is not difficult to understand its undoubted advantages:
- the ability to delimit the baby’s sleep area;
- protection from light, noise, draft, dust and insects;
- an additional source of comfort in the room;
- factor of the child’s psychological comfort;
- elegant element of interior decor.
Canopy for a crib
A beautiful canopy for a crib
But, as with any other design solutions, there are also disadvantages to using a canopy.
- Incorrectly selected fabric can negatively affect air circulation over the crib.
- Protecting the crib from dust, the canopy gradually collects all of it. If you don't wash it regularly and in a timely manner, you will end up with an additional dust container right above your child's sleeping place.
- Massive canopies can “steal” space and are not suitable for small children’s rooms.
- This is quite a strong accent in the interior. If you choose colors and materials incorrectly, the canopy can greatly deviate from the overall style of the room.
Canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
Color options
In this matter, parents usually listen to popular definitions, and for boys they choose blue shades, for girls - pink.
White color, combined with any shade of the gamut, can add variety. If you add a touch of white to the children's interior, the design will not be worse.
If desired, a photo print is applied to a plain material if the child reacts quite adequately to the image. However, the drawing should be in pastel colors.
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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Holder design
The design feature of the holder consists of a sealed or detachable aluminum or metal ring, mount and tripod. When the loop is solid, the curtain material will be covered with Velcro or tape. If there are no ties, you can sew them on yourself. The holder loop is easily decorated with stylish bows or lambrequins.
When the loop is easily removed from the tripod and its ends are separated, the top of the canopy is placed over the antennae of the loop. It is then attached to a tripod and the ends are covered. The structure is easy to assemble, and it is attached to the side of the arena with screws, and then these places are closed with plugs.
Materials, working tools
In order for the work to proceed without failures, it is necessary to prepare all the tools. The list of required products is as follows:
- Long tape measure.
- Pencil
- Threads, needles
- Pattern
- Material for decoration, basic tailoring.
- Sewing machine.
The design is based on ordinary embroidery fingers. You can purchase the product in a store or make it yourself. To make the model beautiful, use bows, ruffles, lace and embroidery to decorate it. To do this you will need to stock up on:
- thick ribbons;
- colored threads;
- lace ribbons, bows.
Assembly
The assembly kit usually includes:
- holder (rounded or rectangular rod);
- tripod (long straight tube);
- rings that hold the material and help it slide along the holder;
- screws for fastening.
The principle of assembly according to the instructions consists of the following steps:
- Taking into account the location of the bed in the room, a place to mount the tripod is selected.
- It is firmly screwed to the surface of the bed or the wall of the crib.
- The holder rod is installed at the top of the tripod.
- Hanging rings are threaded into curtain loops.
- The fabric should be hung on the holder.
- By pressing lightly with your hand, you need to check the reliability of the assembly.
The modern type of canopy design makes it easy to replace the material with a new one. This feature is quite useful considering the wide range of functions. It also simplifies the process of caring for the material.
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.
Principles for choosing a canopy for a nursery
One of the features that require attention when choosing is the combination of the canopy with the overall interior. Here it is better to follow the advice of experts:
- The most popular materials for canopies are tapestry, velvet and jacquard. They can make your bedroom look luxurious.
- For the oriental style of the children's room, it is worth installing a canvas with tassels and flounces.
- High-tech involves adding light curtains to the canopy on the eaves.
- The design of the canvas should be duplicated in bed linen, curtains, bedspreads and capes. This will add sophistication to the interior.
- If you want to adhere to restraint when choosing a material, you should pay attention to cold colors. A pink, scarlet or purple tint can add romance.
- A light, airy canopy will help to visually increase the space of a children's room.
- In small apartments, canopies muffle sounds from neighboring rooms. In this case, the canvas should be natural.
- When deciding on the fabric component, it is worth remembering that the length of the product is increased by 15 - 20 cm in order to beautifully secure the material.
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.
Competent care
Most parents refuse canopies only because they consider them “dust collectors.” Of course, there is some truth in this, however, with regular proper care, dust will not be scary for children.
Washing and cleaning the fabric from dirt will help keep the curtain in order and maintain hygiene. When using a canopy made of tulle or organza, care is noticeably simplified.
These materials wash and dry quickly and do not require ironing. Even after numerous washes, you can put the canopy back in place without fear of it becoming deformed.
A thick canopy can be washed from time to time, and in between times, you can take care of it using a vacuum cleaner.
Disadvantages of using a canopy
Using an additional accessory is not without certain difficulties:
- Large total weight of the structure.
- The need to carefully monitor the strength and serviceability of fasteners.
- You also need to take care of the canvas - excessive accumulation of dust can lead to the development of allergic reactions in the baby. When choosing a textile fabric, it is necessary to focus on fabrics with an antistatic layer.
When arranging a canopy, it is important to monitor the strength of the fastening, because the safety of the child should come first.
Advantages of children's canopies
- Usually all parts are purchased in one set with the cradle. Modern bed models come in a variety of shapes.
- The prefabricated structure is easy to install due to the small number of elements.
- Thanks to the wide base of the holders, the attachment of the canopy to the crib is stable.
- In addition to the wall-mounted one, they often offer a stationary canopy attached to the surface with screws.
It is unlikely that the modern generation of parents slept in a crib with a wonderful canopy. That is why it is easy to explain the desire today to give their child what they themselves did not have.
The place where the baby rests is the heart of the children's room . It must be safe, comfortable and beautiful, so that the whole room becomes cozier and warmer. All of the above tasks are easily performed by a canopy.
Originally posted 2017-12-21 07:17:51.
How to make a frame?
The easiest way to make a frame for a cape is to purchase a large hoop at a sewing accessories or children's goods store. You can also try to build it yourself from an old lampshade, a sports hoop, a flexible metal rod or thick elastic wire, which must subsequently be given a round or rectangular shape.
You should take care of the hollow metal pipe and self-tapping screws necessary to attach the finished product to the crib.
Once the frame is ready, you can start sewing.
