TUTORIAL: Bedside Book Holder

If you have bunk beds, or a bed with a rail, you may find this project a "must"!  

I designed this specifically for my daughter when we bought bunk beds for her room.  She spends a lot of time reading and since we live in an old house with plaster walls (we try to put as few holes in the walls as possible) I knew that making something to hang off the side of the bed was my best option.

The two end straps secure the pocket to the railing, while the center strap holds the pocket closed.  

This project will take about 2 hours and can be completed by any level sewer.  The most challenging part for beginners will be to make the button holes, but it will give you the chance to use that buttonhole foot that came with your machine!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 2 pieces of 19" x 12" fabric for the exterior
• 2 pieces of 19" x 12" fabric for the lining
• 4 pieces of 19"x 12" medium weight fusible interfacing
• 3 pieces of 5 1/2" x 16" fabric for the straps
• 3 pieces of 5" x 16" medium weight fusible interfacing
• 2 or 3 buttons for the straps (2 buttons will be used to secure the pocket, the 3rd is decorative and optional)  I typically use 1" buttons.
• 1 2" piece of sew-on Velcro (male and female) for the center strap

STEP 1:  Iron Interfacing

Following your manufacturer directions, fuse the interfacing onto all fabric pieces. 

 

STEP 2:  Create the Straps

Fold the strap lengthwise in half and sew across the top and down the side. 

Leave the bottom open to turn.

 

 Clip the corners from the top (where sewn)

Turn, press and top stitch using a 1/8" seam allowance

Repeat for the other two straps

STEP 3:  Prepare Straps

Two of the straps will need buttonholes.  Set the center strap aside for now.  Mark a vertical line centered 1/2" up from the finished edge of each end strap that is large enough for your button.  where you will place your button hole with a marking pencil.  (I used a 1" heart button and made the buttonholes 1.25" long to accommodate their shape/size.)  You can use your buttonhole foot to find the correct size for your button.

Sew your buttonholes and open them with a seam-ripper

Put these straps aside and grab the center strap.  Attach the female piece of Velcro to the end, centered 1/2" up from the finished edge as pictured

Put the prepared straps aside for now.

STEP 4:  Make Exterior & Lining

 Take the front piece of the exterior and fold it in half width wise to find the center. 

Center the male piece of Velcro on this fold line 1.5" from the top and sew in place.

Place the exterior pieces right sides together.

Sew around the sides and across the bottom using a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving the top open.  Clip the corners.

Repeat for the lining, except this time leave a 5" opening at the bottom to turn later.

 

CUSTOM OPTION:  If you wish, you can add a pocket or two to the inside of the bag for small items like hair clips, pencils, etc.  You will want to do this BEFORE sewing the lining together.

STEP 5:  Attach Straps

Turn the exterior right side out and place the straps on the side that DOES NOT have the Velcro.

 

You will want to place the straps so the raw edges sit 2" above the raw edge of the bag (this is so the buttons will have a reinforced place to be sewn later).  The two end straps should be place 1/2" from the sides and the center strap should be centered.  The Velcro on the strap should be facing UP. 

Baste the straps in place (make sure not to sew the other side of the bag!)

STEP 6:  Attach Exterior to Interior

Place the exterior inside the interior and line up the seam lines and raw edges.  Pin together allowing the excess straps to hang out.

Sew around the perimeter using a 1/2" seam allowance.  Turn right side out through the opening at the bottom of the lining.

Press flat and top stitch (1/8") around the top.

STEP 7:  Attach Buttons

For the buttons, mark 1.5" down from the top edge of the lining (centered on the end strap).  You are making this mark on the BACK of the inside of the bag. 

 

(See how the buttons are sewn to the BACK side of the interior)

 By hand or by machine (lower feed dogs and use zig zag stitch) sew one button at each side.

Finally, attach the last decorative button on the top, front end of the center strap.

 When you close all the straps, the center strap will close on top of the front of the bag, while the two end straps button on the inside, back of the bag.

STEP 7:  Finish

Use an invisible stitch or slip stitch to close the opening in the lining.

That's it!  Now you can attach the bag to the bed railing and add a book or two!