Are you back to check out how to make a baby gate (or wall) for bunk stairs? It was a simple project that came together very quickly (like less than 2 hours). And, it’s still working!! I know it hasn’t been that long (maybe a week) but Baby E hasn’t even tried getting over it — yet.
Here’s what I used to make the gate:
Denim Fabric (strong and soft, yet cotton material)
100% cotton quilter’s batting
Plywood
Denim sewing machine needles
Gold denim top stitching thread
Upholstery tacks
How I made it:
- We purchased a piece of plywood that was 21 inches by 26 inches. I measured the width of the bunk stairs opening at 22 inches and measured the height of one of my baby gates at 30 inches. Thinking that 30 inches would be a little too high for stepping down to a lower step, I decided that the height of our gate would be 26 inches. To allow room for fabric and padding, I planned our gate width to be 21 inches.
- I cut my piece of denim and batting at 60 inches by 23 inches. This way only 2 sides would need to be sewn, making a pocket for the plywood.
- For decorative purposes and to attach the batting to the fabric, I sewed 3 zig-zag lines down the full 60 inch length of the denim/batting. I also sewed 2 zig-zag lines across the width. Hint – to make it easier to sew straight lines, I used painter’s tape on the fabric to use as guides.
- Next, right sides together (folded in half with the denim on the inside), I sewed up the sides using a straight stitch.
- Turn out the pocket and gently wiggle the plywood inside.
- There was about 4 inches left at the top. I tucked in one side and tried to fold the other side of the fabric (like you would wrapping a present). I used a hammer to attach upholstery tacks to close up the top (see photo).
It fits nice and snug in a small space between the end of second to bottom stair and the trim on the sidewalls. G could get it out if he really tried, but there’s no way that Baby E could get it out.
You can check out more “finished” photos in yesterday’s post. Ah, piece of mind… How do you other parents handle the bunk bed safety issue?
I love this! Thanks for posting. It’s going to give me peace of mind to just let my son and his baby sister play in the bedroom! Great idea!
We still have ours up. It still keeps my almost 4 year old from climbing up most of the time. Now we use it to keep our dog from getting up there. At night, the dog sleeps with my older son and it keeps her up there. So, I guess it’s a doggie gate now too. 🙂
Okay, this is amazing. You made this thing 2 years ago. My 13 month son just found his new hobby of climbing up his older sister’s bunk bed stairs yesterday, so I google “bunk bed stair gate” today, and find this contraption and easy instructions AND confirmation made just 2 days ago that you still use it, it still works, and it hasn’t fallen apart. Thanks for being so conveniently synchronized with my life!
I just made one for our bunk bed stairs. We have the same one y’all did and it fits perfectly. Let my some pick out the fabric and the baby is having a blast running into it and bouncing off. He thinks it’s a game. Thank goodness for all the padding I added. Thank you so much for putting this on the web!!
Oh! I’m so happy that it’s working for you. I love that the baby is bouncing off of it and thinks that it’s a game. Kiddos are so much fun, aren’t they?