DIY Project - Bed Pocket
by Neale McDavitt-Van Fleet
Here’s a little product I put together in a few minutes this morning. It’s a little pocket for the side of my bed to hold books and such1 . Had I any sewing skills at all, it would have probably taken all of 5 minutes, but my constant fumbling with a needle and thread made it take about 45 minutes. I hope you’ll do better.
Ok, here’s how:
1. Take a cloth grocery bag (you all have tons of these, right?). I used an old one that was ripped on one side and we we weren’t using anyways.
2. Cut horizontally across one side. Here’s a photo showing roughly where to cut. The bottom of the bag is going to form the pocket, so be sure to cut this at the depth you want the final pocket to be.
3. Stitch the edge of the bag as shown in the photo below, to help keep it in place and stop it from fraying. Ideally this edge should be on the inside of the finished pocket. I haven’t done any sewing since grade 7 home economics class, and my skills are pretty poor. A sewing machine would take care of this in about two seconds, and do a much better job.
4. Mount the pocket on the bed by placing the top portion of the bag underneath the mattress. I also folded the top half of the bag over to keep it out of the way. In my case the weight of the mattress is enough to keep a couple of books and my reading light in place and secure. My cat is here pictured taking interest in the project.
That’s it! It’s a very simple project that doesn’t take very long. It’s also a good use for older cloth bags which are ripped or at the end of their lives.
- At least partially inspired by This, believe it or not
Tags: DIY
June 17th, 2008
at 11:57 am on June 17th, 2008
If you made it big enough, I’m sure you could hold a riffle in it…
at 1:41 pm on June 18th, 2008
Yes, a riffle, what an excellent thought! Maybe it could also hold a grrrrrrnade. Handy for meetings of the local think tank!
at 3:24 pm on June 22nd, 2008
I don’t know why you are being sarcastic. I picked up a riffle just the other day, thought it would be very relaxing to have it playing by my bed but I didn’t have anywhere to put it so I had to let it go.
at 4:13 pm on June 22nd, 2008
If you cut the bag’s handles, you could tie them around the slat and hold heavier items, like a big hardcover.
at 4:14 pm on June 22nd, 2008
If you cut the bag’s handles and tied them around the slat, you could hold something heavier, like a big hardcover.
at 4:29 pm on June 22nd, 2008
Add another one with a catheter bag, and you’d never have to get out of bed!
at 4:56 pm on June 22nd, 2008
Actually, my first thought on seeing this was that it would be a great place for a flashlight or a pistol.
Assuming one has no children in the house, of course. If you have kids, get a bedside safe to keep your weapons in. Safety first!
at 6:02 pm on June 22nd, 2008
Use a stapler to save some time.
at 9:16 pm on June 22nd, 2008
Guns, Rifles, Grrrrnades
Gun slingin’ Americans are so ridiculous.
at 11:02 pm on June 22nd, 2008
Weaponry was definitely not on my mind when I made the project, but I suppose you can put whatever you want in it. It could also be a good spot for midnight snacks.
I think the follow-up suggestions are also great, and could make this project better.
at 1:49 am on June 23rd, 2008
This was a fantastic idea. I’m going to make one for every bed in the house plus 2 couches.
And yes, staples instead of stitching makes this a 30 second project.
at 3:31 am on June 23rd, 2008
Hah, this looks fun!
at 6:39 am on June 23rd, 2008
also you can hold the keys of your tank… lol
at 8:15 am on June 23rd, 2008
I keep one of my guns underneath my pillow. I keep others distributed throughout my house. My 12 gauge shotgun has staggered rounds, slug/buck-shot/slug/buck-shot. My .410 has salt pellets. All this is waiting for them once they get through the mine field in my yard.
at 8:56 am on June 23rd, 2008
Fantastic idea…and it might even be something I can pull off.
Thanks!
at 1:16 am on June 27th, 2008
I just like to keep my gun in my hand at all times. that way no one can ever hurt me.
America,
Fuck Yeah
at 2:47 am on June 27th, 2008
I’m looking for something I can whip up for my kids to use at camp and this looks perfect. Just holds glasses, flashlight, pen & paper, magazine, etc. A vertical stitch can divide the pouch into two narrower pouches. I’m especially concerned that my daughter has a place for her glasses so they don’t come home scratched up!
at 11:58 am on June 29th, 2008
I was having a bad day and then stumbled on this site. It got me laughing so hard. Thanks guys. Great project, by the way.
at 7:12 am on July 7th, 2008
Thanks so much for your creative idea. This DIY bedside pocket is a perfect fit for a shortsighted bookworm like me. I have always kept piles of books and stuff on the floor for a long time since I don’t have a night table. I will try it, thanks again.
at 7:56 pm on July 15th, 2008
wow
lol
i love my stumble tool bar
at 4:37 am on July 16th, 2008
hilarious!
at 5:46 pm on July 16th, 2008
We americans have no choice but to own guns. We have burglers, and rapists, and other horible things in america. How else can we protect ourselves?
sweet idea by the way
at 6:43 am on July 17th, 2008
We have burglars and rapists in Sweden too, but somehow we manage to stay alive without a firearm in every house.
at 3:02 pm on July 21st, 2008
Believe it or not but not every house in America has a gun.
at 6:05 pm on July 21st, 2008
I thought the most bizarre thing was that they said many customers were buying the gun thing for each side of the bed. Make sure you don’t get into a domestic quarrel.
at 7:12 am on July 22nd, 2008
Apartment Therapy Linked to this, and brought up some good points:
“We’ve seen these a couple of times now, and frankly can’t decide if they’re a good idea that can be executed well, or if they’d drive us nuts when making the bed and never look “done.” We certainly know what it’s like to not have room for a bedside table, and can see the practical appeal of a place to stash our glasses and book.”
It is definitely true that in some cases it could look a little messy. In my case I have it next to a wall so it’s completely hidden from view, but it is a good point that could be relevant to some people.