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March 12, 2014

How to Make Book Slings

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create a book sling to organize your children's books

 If this sounds oddly familiar to you, it’s because I’ve already done (and blogged about) this project. I made my first set of book slings a few years ago while pregnant with boy #2, but I’m going to throw it out there again since 98% of my current readers probably haven’t seen that post. Plus these slings have been really great… I mean, we’re renovating the room and these are the only things that are staying. So here is the new set….

How to make book slings

and here is the old one.

fabric book slings

I made this new set all the same size rather than three different sizes, I liked the variation but honestly no one ever put the books back in the appropriately sized book sling (myself included).

So here is how you make these bad boys –

First, buy your fabric….you will need about 1 1/3 yard per book sling. I choose this bandana fabric from fabric.com for my boys slowly progressing cowboy room.

bandana fabric

Before you start making book slings you will need to wash and dry your fabric. I know, I hate this step too…but do it anyway. Anyone remember when I didn’t prewash my dining room curtains and they shrank A FOOT? Not fun… wash your fabric.

Next cut them into a 42 x 40 inch rectangle. You can actually make them 42 inches x whatever,  40 inches is just what happened to fit between the two doors in my boy’s room.

cutting fabric for book slings

Next fold your fabric in half, patterned sides together (so mine was 21 X 40 inches) and sew everything together except half of a short side.

how to sew a book sling

Then pull it inside out…

inside out

and fold the raw edges in and sew it closed.

sew it closed

The last sewing step is to make a pocket for the dowels. Fold over each long edge by two inches and sew.

sewing a book sling

To hang the slings you will need to buy one set of double curtain hooks (I bought these) and two dowels per book sling. The dowels I have are 3/4 inch and we had to trim them a little so they didn’t have too much overhang. Make sure you are screwing the curtain hooks into studs, they will be holding a lot of weight. Also, some overly energetic and highly rambunctious children may use the slings as a ladder to try and reach the light switch. Not that I know any children like that…

double curtain bracket for book slings

And that’s it! Such a simple, practical DIY that also happens to be really, really, really, ridiculously good looking (name that movie!)

book slings in a cowboy room

childrens book storage

fabric book storage

vertical book storage

These slings hold a ton of books and are surprisingly sturdy, we’ve had them for about 2.5 years and they haven’t sagged at all. Plus I love that the covers face forward, instead if being squished against each other and out of sight. It makes it really easy for my kids to pick a book at night and keeps them from pulling every book off the shelf to find the one they want. Not that my boys would ever dare be so messy, obviously. They also never rip pages out of books or beat the stink out of each other. And every night they thank me for cooking a healthy dinner before quietly putting themselves to bed.

Ha!

Design

 

 

storage solution for chidrens books

create a book sling to organize your children's books

Filed Under: Cleaning and Organizing, Decor & Crafts, DIY Decor, Kid Crafts, Kids Rooms, Playroom, Popular Posts, Projects, Sewing50 Comments

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Comments

  1. Mariella says

    March 12, 2014 at 8:13 am

    Hi Ashley,

    Thank you for sharing this. I will try it for my kids playroom and my office to hold my deco magazines,

    Thanks,
    Mariella.

    Reply
  2. Cristin @ Eve of Reduction says

    March 12, 2014 at 8:54 am

    Great way to use vertical space to organize! {stopping by from Creative Stumbles!}

    Reply
  3. Annie says

    March 12, 2014 at 9:17 am

    This is an interesting idea! How do they compare to normal bookcases? Have you had any problems with paperback books getting squished/folded/bent by heavier books?
    (Also LOL! Zoolander quote!)

    Reply
  4. Linda says

    March 12, 2014 at 10:31 am

    WOW! I am really impressed! I can think of 10,000 (well, maybe not 10,000 but a lot!) of ways to use this. Thanks so much for a really great idea.

    Reply
  5. Amanda says

    March 12, 2014 at 10:58 am

    Long time lurker, first comment! I randomly found the old version of this post last week and am now planning to make a few book slings for my baby’s room. It’s great to hear your update about the various sizes, not worth the effort to make different sizes if they aren’t used. The thing I like best about this project is that even if he somehow pulls the sling down it won’t be a huge book shelf that falls, just a few books and some fabric. Thanks for the tutorial(s)!

    Reply
  6. Sarah says

    March 12, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    Ashley, your role model children are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for always keepin’ it real!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 12, 2014 at 2:28 pm

      Yes, all children should strive to be as well behaved as mine. Hahaha!

      Reply
  7. Kelly says

    March 12, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    Love this! Can’t wait to make one!

    Reply
  8. Marina Garcia says

    March 12, 2014 at 8:30 pm

    #1: Show off! (that’s about that perfectly clean and organized kids’ closet that’s peaking in the picture)
    #2: I loved-loved-loved your idea from the original post long time ago and copied it. A couple of months ago I decided to re-do it with… clear plastic sheets and special double stick tape from a craft store. It was more $$ but now I can see the books through the plastic sheeting + it is totally wipeable from fingerprints.
    Thank you, as usual, for creative and workable ideas. Love your blog!!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 12, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      Clear plastic slings is a great idea, and bonus points for being wipeable!

      Also, about the closet…there is about 8 inches of space to the left that hides behind the wall that the slings are on. There is a literal MOUNTAIN of random stuff piled up back there, just out of sight. Sometimes I leave my messes because I want people to know that life is messy and that’s okay, and sometimes they are so huge and distracting that I have to hide them.

      Reply
  9. Cindy from GlassSlipperRestorations says

    March 13, 2014 at 5:10 am

    Great redo on an already cute idea, love the bandana material, looking forward to seeing the rest of the room! And boys will be boys, we know they are perfect little messes! Pinned it!

    Reply
  10. [email protected] of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says

    March 13, 2014 at 5:57 am

    So cute and simple, Ashley! Love it…pinnng! XO

    Reply
  11. Jan Elizabeth says

    March 13, 2014 at 8:07 am

    Nice touch using bandana fabric – it looks great! I can just imagine them climbing up the book slings… o_O

    Reply
  12. Samantha says

    March 15, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    Hi! Can you please tell me where you got those drawers inside the closet pictured to the right of your awesome book slings?

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 15, 2014 at 7:06 pm

      They are the Elfa drawers from the Container Store. They are well made and versatile, I have them in most of my closets. They are a little pricey, but they go on sale every spring (so soon). Here is the link… http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/components/elfaDrawersAccessories

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        March 15, 2014 at 7:22 pm

        Thanks so much!!

        Reply
  13. Uwe says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:27 am

    Its a great idea.
    Greetings from Germany
    Uwe

    Reply
  14. Kim Vij @ The Educators' Spin On It says

    March 23, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    Ashley this is simply a fabulous idea, I shared it on our Reading Pinterest board this week and clearly others feel the same way too with hundreds of repins. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing, can’t wait to make my own for the kids.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 23, 2014 at 8:16 pm

      Are you kidding..thank YOU for sharing! I saw saw a spike in traffic on that post and found your pin earlier today…can’t believe how many repins it has already. You’re going to love the slings, they’re so functional (for both you and the kids.)

      Reply
      • Kim Vij @ The Educators' Spin On It says

        March 23, 2014 at 8:47 pm

        I’m sharing tonight on Google Plus as my ” Pin of the Week” and am trying to tag you there to join the conversation but can’t seem to. I know others would love to chat with you there and give you their thumbs up! Here’s the link https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KimVij/posts/AFaTfX1QY4A

        Reply
        • Ashley says

          March 24, 2014 at 10:13 am

          I’m actually not on Google Plus…I try to only use a few forms of social media so that I don’t go crazy. I’m excited about pin if the week (and it looks like you get lot’s of engagement on G+)!

          Reply
  15. Katie says

    March 27, 2014 at 10:31 am

    “really really ridiculously good looking”

    ZOOLANDER!

    Disappointed it hadn’t been pointed out already haha. Also, that’s such a great idea for a way to store books!

    Reply
  16. Runt says

    April 18, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    I love love love these and want to make a set for my little guy’s nursery, but shew, the rod holders are kind of pricey if you want multiple slings! Do you have any budget friendly ideas?

    Reply
  17. Adele Bee Ann Patterns says

    May 2, 2014 at 7:34 am

    So incredibily clever! I love them!

    Reply
  18. CabotMama says

    January 19, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    Wonderful directions!! I am a novice user of the sewing machine. Just learned how to plug in the machine & thread the needle less than a month ago. I have made three pillows – and then tackled book slings with your post as my guide and inspiration. Thank you!
    I also used your post on making your own curtain rods. We’ve created a reading nook out of a dormer window area in our girls’ room. I sewed curtains (my fourth sewing project ever!) and then we hung them across the opening. Your ideas didn’t fit our situation, but they gave us the courage to think outside the box. Thank you again! I would love to share pics with you if I knew how to send/attach them! :)

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      January 25, 2015 at 9:11 am

      So glad the instructions worked for you! I’ve been sewing for a long time now (bought my machine about 10 years ago) and am still a complete novice. I do great with square things (like pillows, curtains, book slings, bedding) but anything more complicated makes me want to throw my machine against the wall. Luckily I don’t have a need to sew many non-square things! I would love to see pics, if you’d like you can e-mail them to me at [email protected].

      Reply
  19. Sarah says

    February 5, 2015 at 10:49 am

    I love this! But what I must really know is where is your rug from? Please tell me it’s diy ad you have a post about it!

    Reply
  20. heather says

    February 23, 2015 at 11:28 am

    SO FLIPPING adorable!!! The bandana fabric, with the cowhide? LOVE it! What a GREAT project. Totally going to dream up someplace I can use this idea!!!

    Reply
  21. Kayla says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    I’m really enjoying your blog. I noticed in your book collection, the one at the top that says “Fables.” We have the same book and for the life of me, I have no idea where it came from, how we got it, etc, but it is the weirdest little fables book. Some of them we get, and others we find ourselves scratching our heads about. Love the book slings!

    Reply
  22. Danielle says

    April 9, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    Hi there! I love this idea. I am having a hard time finding the double brackets. Where did you get them? Thanks!

    Reply
  23. Belinda says

    June 14, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    Thanks for the tutorial! I have been looking for a way to store my kids books. This will be perfect!

    Reply
  24. Athena says

    July 1, 2015 at 10:05 am

    I love this! But what I must really know is where is your rug from? Please tell me it’s diy ad you have a post about it!

    Reply
  25. Valerie says

    April 8, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    That is a fantastic idea…… The movie is Zoolander… I think lol

    Reply
  26. Tana says

    May 14, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    Where did you get the 3/4 4ft. dowels?
    I’ve looked at Hobby Lobby & Home Depot with no luck; they only have 3ft dowels.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      May 15, 2017 at 12:12 am

      I bought mine at Home Depot, but that was about six years ago. Actually…I seem to remember buying one really long one and cutting it down myself.

      Reply
  27. cassandra says

    July 4, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    I loved the tip to make a little reading corner at home for the kids.

    Reply
  28. Linda says

    April 30, 2018 at 9:14 am

    I love this idea & I can see adaptive ideas for use in RVs.

    Reply
  29. Susan Oelke says

    May 13, 2019 at 7:04 am

    Great idea for a new parents. Thinking of making a few for Christmas gifts. Thanks for the idea.

    Reply

Trackbacks

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  4. On The Go Quilting » Friday Finds, June 12 says:
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Ashley - Wildfire Interiors
Welcome to Wildfire Interiors! I’m Ashley, and I think you should love where you live. Small budget or big budget, color-obsessed or neutral lover, trend follower or trendsetter, and whether you know anything about design or not…we can all have homes that make us smile. Read more…

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