How do I make a canopy for my little girl’s bed?

If you can hand sew, I have a slightly more tailored way of doing this.
However, here are the instructions for a hanging canopy:
*You can add embellishments and decorate it before-hand or after your done, but keep in mind where the hoops will go, and how it will hang

You will need:

Several yards of fabric, (depending on the length you want and the size, just make sure to get some extra, preferably sheer organza, chiffon or linen, it should be lightweight, so it doesn’t pull down the hook and so it will be safe for your daughter.
Choose fabric that won’t shred and will look nice unhemmed after cutting, (you can even use colored mosquito netting or other netted fabric, which works really well)

Note:
Some of these fabrics can be pricey, just look for whatever is nice that is on sale. There are many, many colors, patterns and embellished types to choose from. You can even glue sequins, rhinestones or mini mirrors, (which come in packs in the bead section), (silver and lavender, for instance to yours for a really pretty look, just be creative!

A length of ribbon, (this will be used to attach the frame to the hook and hang the canopy, you can allow the ends of a very long ribbon to flow down the sides of the canopy or you can leave it as a short bow, it’s entirely up to you. Choose a ribbon to complement your color and design scheme.
Several pieces more of ribbon, (you can just buy a roll or two from the discount bin)

A bamboo hoop, (circle or oval) (if you can’t find one, any wooden hoop or similar will work) – look in the craft store, or the crafting section of your nearest discount super-store

A bamboo square, ( or larger circle) about 4-6 inches larger than the hoop, (this is optional, if you can’t find one, don’t worry about it)

A curtain ring, (or even a shower curtain ring, a clear craft ring or other type of ring, so long as it’s a circle)

A plant hook and any attachment necessary to put this into your ceiling

safety pins

Instructions:

Take your entire piece of fabric and lay it out. The side that is up will be the inside, so make sure that if it has one better side, or patterned side, that side should be down.

Make a cut from the bottom of the fabric nearly to the center, but do not spred it apart

Place the hoop in the center of the fabric. If you want the fabric to hang from a point down to the circle hoop, pull some of the fabric straight up through the hoop while holding it steady, this needs to be accurate. When you have the desired length of the “cone” of fabric, mark the very center with a safety pin

In the very center of the hoop, (you can mark this if you like and move the hoop) make two small slits just wide enough for your ribbon to slide through, approx. 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart.

Lay your hoop in the middle again and secure it

Around the hoop, evenly spaced, make 5-6 sets of small slits, each small slit on the inside of the hoop and a matching one just like it in the same place on the outside of the hoop, (about 12 slits in all)

If you’re using a square or larger circle, also, just put it around the hoop, adjust how much fabric distance you want them apart by pulling the fabric straight through again, (if any, as the square is already larger than the hoop) and do the same thing, only the slits should be at the corners, four to each corner, two on either angle of the corner and two opposite on the inside of the square (to keep the ribbon from sliding when hung).

Going through the slits with pieces of ribbon, tie the fabric to the “frames”, (circles or squares). Slide each ribbon through the outside of the fabric to the inside and tie around the frame, (or vice-versa if you want the bows on the outside, where they will show and cover your slits)

After the frame(s) is in place, run the ribbon through the top, (center of fabric) slit, this time making sure that the ends go through from the inside, (side facing up) to the outside and that there is an equal length of ribbon on either side of the slit

Lift your canopy fabric, holding it by the ribbon ends and tie these around the fabric ring, (or whichever kind of curtain ring)

Fix the plant hook into the ceiling where you want the canopy to hang from, hang your canopy by slipping the ring onto the hook

Spred out the fabric and trim as desired, into a straight line or scallop pattern, however you like, to the desired length,
if this is too hard, you can measure and cut it while it’s laid out, just keep in mind the “drape”, you want it to be a little long, (and you want to cut it so that it hangs straight, not the same as straight when it’s laid out as when it’s hanging. )
Arrange the drape and fall of the fabric
If desired, you can add another bow or interesting accent at the top of the separation in the curtain to cover it, or- only if it’s sheer enough to breathe through easily- add ties down the front so she can make a “tent” by closing the curtain

Enjoy your