Here’s a easy project that you’ll love. Now you can quickly make a doll bed for your 18 inch dolls without using tools.
Step 1: Buy a single piece of garden border.
These are the small sections that clip together to form the decorative edging around an outdoor flower bed. They are available in many different styles.
Try to find one that looks like a mini-headboard.
- I purchased mine at Michael’s craft store. Any store with a garden center, or gardening area may have this type of border. This item is seasonal. You will probably only find it in the stores during gardening season. For best selection, shop early in the season.
- There is a small loop on the right side for joining this piece of border to the next one. If it bothers you, just cut it off with your wire cutters and file any sharp edges to prevent injury. I left it on my bed, so you could see it.
Step 2: Buy a basket.
This basket was purchased at Michael’s craft store for $14.99. It’s part of their “Natural Storage Solutions.” It has a metal support structure inside that makes the basket quite sturdy.
- Look for a basket that’s about 19-inches long and at least 9-inches wide. Mine is 19-inches long by 13-inches wide by 5 inches tall.
- Turn the basket upside-down. To create the ‘headboard,’ stick the garden border through the basket on one of the short sides. Anchor the border’s ‘legs’ with metal twist ties to prevent movement.
Step 3: Spray paint the bed.
You may find it’s easier and requires less shopping time if you select your bedding fabrics first. Then select your paint color to coordinate with the fabric colors.
- I made my mattress from 1/2-inch thick foam. If your basket is shorter than 5-inches tall, you may want to use a 1-inch thick mattress to add height.
- Next, I’ll be adding the instructions to make the bedding, along with some cute matching pajamas for your American Girl doll.
Remember, the early shopper gets the best seasonal selection.
So have lots of fun!
Please leave a comment and let me know if you like this idea.
February 21st, 2011 at 6:12 pm
How adorable,can’t wait to get started !!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:23 am
That is too cute. Thanks for the idea.
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:19 am
What a super cute and easy idea!
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:41 am
Very clever project! If you can figure out how to attach a “door” to the open part of the basket, it could be used to store the bedding.
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:13 am
Brilliant! I love it.
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:23 am
This is so adorable…can’t wait to make it for my granddaughter. Its a very clever idea. Thanks for sharing!
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:54 am
This is such a cute idea. My older daughter and I are going to make it for my younger daughter for her birthday in March. We have already made all the other ideas you have, to give her a whole box of doll items. I don’t know who is more excited!! Thank-you for the GREAT ideas!
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:26 am
This is so adorable. Thank you for such a awesome project. Can’t wait for the bedding pattern.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:31 am
Absolutely darling idea,. You are always thinking outside the box.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:54 am
This is so cute! My Granddaughter will love it. I’m heading to Michaels right away.
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:47 am
I have had fun making doll clothes for a few years now… My granddaughter had an american girl tea party for her 8th birthday… I spent the year before making enough outfits for a fashion show!! Each girl’s outfit was her “gift” for attending the party! I did learn (the hard way) that not every 18″ girl is created equally!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:56 am
This is ADORABLE! What a creative idea! Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness in sharing your free ideas with us! My daughter is going to be so happy… Watch out Michael’s here I come! Thanks again!
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:49 am
My little girl has been begging for a bed for her AG doll. This should do the trick. Thanks
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:54 am
I love this idea! How cheap, cute and crafty! I can’t wait to get started, but does anyone know where I can get the basket and “head board”? I don’t have a Michaels : (
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:54 am
What a great idea! Thanks again for something very do-able!
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Oh how I wish I had these directions before buying the American Girl doll bed for my little girl.
I might make one for my new niece and put it away for when she gets older.
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:59 pm
This is really clever; can’t wait to set up a date with my granddaughter! Isn’t it great to have children as an excuse to remain one yourself!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:47 pm
What a great idea ! Very crafty !! Thanks !
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:32 pm
I love this idea. I can’t wait to try it.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Aqua,
I saw some nice looking garden border (the headboard) at Big Lots. Check your local garden center, discount stores and fabric and craft stores. Don’t forget JoAnn fabrics and Hobby Lobby. What about Pier 1 or World Market for baskets?
Peggy
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:39 pm
I love this idea. Thanks for sharing. I have to make six doll beds. I really love this one and I’m going to try it. I’m also going to try the triple bunk beds I saw online as well. If you have a great idea for multiple beds let me know. Thanks again.
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:43 pm
OH my gosh! That is just TOO CUTE! Thank you so much.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:21 am
Peggy, You are amazing!!
Thanks for sharing your fabulous ideas. My daughter and I always look forward to your emails.
February 23rd, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Thanks Peggy. AG storage is always a problem for me, so this solves two issues at once! Running off to the craft store…
February 23rd, 2011 at 4:06 pm
This is adorable! I have two dolls these beds would be perfect for. Picked up the baskets and spray paint today… now I just have to find some garden border somewhere. Thank you for this tutorial!
February 23rd, 2011 at 8:46 pm
It’s jaw dropping cute. My grand-daughters will be visiting me for a week in June. The high point of their visit will be a Trip to the AG store to purchase their first dolls. In the meantime I am working on making clothes, so they will go home with tons of stuff. We will make 3 of these beds for sure; one for each of them and one for Grammy. Thanks for the great idea…
February 24th, 2011 at 10:55 am
This is such a fabulous idea! My daughter has been wanting beds for her 2 dolls and now she is going to be able to have 2! The design is super cute and I like how you spray paint them so you can make it your own! Thank you for the idea!
February 24th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
What an awesome idea. I’ve been trying to come up with an itea to make my granddaughter a doll bed. She will absolutely love this. Thanks so much!
February 28th, 2011 at 10:40 am
FABULOUS! I too wish I had this pattern before buying a bed from American Girl. I will now make one to keep at her house so she will have a place at her “great grand ma’s house. Thanks for the pattern.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Great idea!! My two granddaughters and I made two of the beds this past weekend and they loved them. They are darling. Thanks
March 7th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Thanks so much! So glad I found this site!
March 15th, 2011 at 3:42 am
Hello all,
I have been searching for this information and finally found it. Thanks!
March 18th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Thank you! My 8 year old has a metal bed, and this will be just the thing for her AG doll!
April 12th, 2011 at 11:29 pm
I love the bed idea. I can’t wait to make it. =D
April 26th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
I have not been able to find a basket long enough in the right shape. I have searched, with tape measure in hand, at Walmart, The Dollar Tree, Big Lots, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and JoAnn Fabrics. I have even searched on line. I need to make three doll beds. I can find everything else and I have sewn since I was a young girl. So I can make the bedding for the beds, no problem. Any suggestions anyone? I have even looked for other items to make the bed out of and no luck!
Judith
April 26th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Judith,
Sorry to hear about your shopping challenges. I’m going to be introducing patterns to make wooden beds soon. Maybe that will be easier for you.
Peggy
April 27th, 2011 at 10:59 am
So cute! It will look great in my daughters AG Doll room!!!
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Very cute idea! I found the exact basket. “Storage Solutions” is the brand name I think-at Michaels. Had a harder time finding fencing that fit. I did find some at Menard’s but not as cute.
Hoping you will publish your bedding ideas soon. I have foam for the mattress but am wondering if it is glued to the basket after covering with fabric, or how does it stay on the bed?
I was thinking that a flounce of eyelet trim might be nice to cover the basket sides like a bed skirt.
May 22nd, 2011 at 11:13 pm
I am still waiting for the pattern for bedding for the dollbed.
May 25th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Gillian,
Thank you for being so patient. I have not forgotten. It is coming.
Peggy
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:05 am
Well I ran out the first day I noticed this project and was able to find lots of baskets at Michael’s. Now I can’t find the headboard. They are all too wide. I thought I would get a wide one and put it long ways to make a day bed but it didn’t look right. Still shopping for the headboard. I make lots of beds but this one will be a little quicker to make. Thanks for the idea.
Jeanne
June 8th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
-I too love this idea but can’t always find exactly what I’m looking for, so…off to the 2nd hand store I go. It’s pretty amazing what you will find.
-Great ideas.
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Thanks for the idea! So easy!! I made it into a YouTube video.
I also linked back here. Thanks again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a2-_bVfpyk
June 28th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Not all beds have to be rectangular. Take a thick (5″)piece of seat-cushion form and cut it into a round or heart shape. Make a cover for it with heavier material and add matress, blankets, etc. On the heart shaped one, add narrow pockets on the lobes at the top and slip the posts of the headboard into the pockets.
July 1st, 2011 at 10:14 am
I love this bed…but did I miss your patterns for the comforter, pillows etc for this great bed???
I’d love the instructions for that
thanks
Nancy
July 7th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Nancy,
You have not missed it. When it’s ready, I’ll send out an email.
Peggy
August 13th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Wow, I am so glad I found this website. This bed will be so much fun to make with the girls.
August 18th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
I love this. I found my basket on sale at Michaels and I can’t wait for the bedding patterns. Thanks so much for sharing this idea!
August 28th, 2011 at 10:52 am
I have the bitty twins and I need a bunkbed for them can you find a way to make a bunkbed that is really easy?
September 5th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Hello,
I really think that is cute, however I am wondering if you can make bunk beds or a triple bunk bed or bunk beds with a trundle. Wanting to make a bunk bed or a triple or one with a trundle underneath for my niece. For 18 inch doll. If not this way, is there another way I could do it.
Thanks
Shannon
September 5th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Shannon and Makenzi,
I am planning to add some bed patterns in the future. To make bunk beds you need some kind of vertical support to make them stable. So, they’re not as easy as a single bed. But, I’ll work on it.
Peggy
September 9th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
I have the bitty twins from American Girl and I need a bed for them. Can you find out a way for me to make them a bed? …Like a crib or a bunk bed. Oh, the bed above is very cute. I love it. My look-a-like sleeps in it.
October 25th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Just seeing this today! It is amazing and I can’t wait to make on for each of my daughters. I am having trouble with the link to the quilt, mattress and pillow patterns though. Did I miss it? Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas!
October 31st, 2011 at 1:42 am
Jenn,
The bedding patterns are not on the website yet.
Peggy
November 20th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
I think this is a very clever idea! My little girl will love it.
Thank you for the idea.
November 20th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
My little girl will love to do this with me. I think it will make a good, easy craft for Christmas
December 6th, 2011 at 6:07 am
You are BRILLIANT! What a perfect idea! This is EXACTLY what my daughter wants, and now I can make it myself, and save a ton of money! Thank you SO much!!!!!
December 16th, 2011 at 10:30 am
This is very clever. Thank you for the free hobo bag and cash. I am enjoying your site. Just getting started on outfits for granddaughter’s new 18 in Madame Alexander doll.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Other doll pattern sites can’t hold a candle to your patterns and ideas!!!
December 29th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Got the money today! Thanks!! I just printed it out and cut it,so now ijust have to make the wallet and the hobo bag! And I can’t wait to make the bed! It’s winter now tho so I’m not sure I’ll be able to find the headboard….time to go digging in my garage….there might be some hiding in there that I can use! My friend’s daughter is going to be absolutely thrilled with everything! Can’t wait to see what other neat things are to come!
January 8th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
I love it. It’s sooo cute! I made one for my Blythe doll.
January 11th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
oh, I just love the bed, what a neat idea, My great granddaughters will love them, cant wait to make them each one. thanks.
January 16th, 2012 at 1:31 am
Adorable! You are so full of great ideas!! Thanks and will be looking forward to the instructions for the bedding!
So glad I found this site!!
January 30th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
I’m making it with my dad this saturday! We bought everything and I am SO exited!
January 30th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
I LOVE THIS WEBSITE! (lifesaver!)
February 5th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Can’t wait to make this for my granddaughter…and look forward to trying to find the headboard this spring.
February 9th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
This is an amazing option!
I cannot believe what the AG beds cost!!!!
Super job..
February 12th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
How cute! I am just seeing this for the first time and I can’t wait to get started for my granddaughter! Thank you so very much for sharing your joy with others!
February 12th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
This is a awesome idea! I can’t wait untill I see more ideas and share them with my friends!
February 20th, 2012 at 9:37 am
im almost done with the bed 4 my doll!!
June 22nd, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Adorable! You are so full of great ideas!! Thanks and will be looking forward to the instructions for the bedding!
So glad I found this site!!
Gerda
June 24th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
love it
cant wait to make one
September 19th, 2012 at 6:26 am
This I am definitely going 2 make!!! Too cute! Now the bedding…