jazz up a children's book rack

Secondhand sling-style book racks are a great opportunity to personalize a kids bedroom!

Materials:

• Children's book rack - the kind slung with fabric (thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace are great sources)

• Approximately 2.5 yards of patterned fabric (old sheets, tablecloths, or curtains are perfect for this)

• Measuring tape

• Scissors

• Sewing machine

Before: a little wonky, and lacking pizzazz

Getting started:

• Unscrew the posts from the sides of the bookshelf

• Remove existing sling materials & measure the dimensions of the sling - you'll need to replicate these with your new material

• Wipe down bookshelf frame to clean/sanitize

• Unfortunately, some math is required: Add up the total length of fabric needed by measuring the length of each fabric sling and post loop. Add .5" seam allowance at each end and, if your fabric isn't double-sided, add in any extra inches you need to double up the fabric on the lowest sling (which will otherwise show the back of the fabric when hung - see below for reference. this bookshelf needed about 9" of overlapping fabric)

• Add up the total width required by measuring the width of the existing fabric and adding .5" seam allowance at each end

The sewing:

• Measure and cut your fabric accordingly

• Finish the sides of your fabric with a double fold hem: fold the edge twice at .25" each time, then press and sew

• Mark where you will sew your post loops using pins or tailor's chalk

• Fold your fabric across the middle of each desired loop placement and sew, making sure the loops end up on the right side of the fabric!

• If using single-sided fabric, finish the edge of the overlapping portion by folding .5", pressing, and sewing to the wrong side of the fabric, as shown below

The finishing touches:

• Iron the finished product

• Thread the posts through the loops

• Screw the side panel back onto the body of the frame

The final product:

Our Note: Children's items like toys and small furniture items are enormous contributors to landfill waste and pollution. Almost 80% of all toys end up in the landfill, the ocean, or incinerators (source) - which means that sourcing children's items secondhand is an impactful way to contribute to a circular economy. Thrift stores are excellent sources of used toys and decor for the kids in your life - just be sure to clean the items well before using them.

Community platforms like Marketplace or Craigslist are great places to find used larger items like strollers, cribs, etc. It's very important to do your own safety research before purchasing any baby items that will be holding or supporting the child in any way - many items like car seats expire, get recalled, or certain designs are no longer considered best practice. This is why many thrift stores will not sell the kinds of baby items that are usually under warranty, but that doesn't mean you can't safely source secondhand gear for your kiddo as long as you do your homework!