How to Make a Homemade Folding Camper Bed

camping image by Colin Buckland from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Whether you will be camping overnight during summer or winter, you must protect yourself from the cold at night, especially when sleeping on the ground. A sleeping bag may seem appealing, but could leave you freezing and uncomfortable. Make a homemade camper bed instead. This bed is easy to make, goes on the ground at night and can be used during the day to prop yourself against a rock or tree.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Tape measure
Needle
Thread
Unbleached muslin fabric
Straight pins
Camping foam pad

Step 1

Cut two same-size pieces of unbleached muslin, a fabric made of loosely woven cotton. Measure your height and width, and size accordingly. Add a 12-inch allowance to each dimension for good measure.

Step 2

Line up the two pieces of muslin, and pin down each side using straight pins. Start at one corner and continue pinning all the way around until each side is pinned. Space the straight pins approximately 2 inches apart.

Step 3

Sew a straight stitch at the edge of the fabric. Start the straight stitch at one corner, and continue sewing all the way around until both short sides and one of the long sides are sewn. Sew the stitch 1 inch from the edge.

Step 4

Turn the fabric inside out to conceal seam lines.

Step 5

Pack the foam pad into the cover you have sewn. Measure the length and width of the foam pad before inserting it. Cut to size using heavy-duty scissors or a box cutter. Camping and outdoor foam pads, memory foam and specialty foam are available online and at stores.

Step 6

Turn back the corner edge of the unstitched side of the cover. You'll need about a 1-inch flap through which you can pass a needle. Sew this side of the fabric shut.

Step 7

Add a stitch line, which will serve as the marker for where to fold the homemade bedding when storing or carrying it to your camp site. Sew the first of two stitch lines about 24 inches from the top, sewing from side to side. Add a stitch line about 24 inches from this line.

Tips & Warnings

Sew your homemade camper bed by hand or with a sewing machine.

After you insert the foam, sweep your hand across each side to eliminate wrinkles and lumps.

Foam pads are available in standard sizes, as well as large sheets that can be cut as needed.

Resources

StraightStitchPatterns: How to Make a Straight Stitch

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

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