3. Fabric-Covered Weighted Bookends
Soft bookends are the solution for kids’ rooms, nursery shelves, and any spot where sharp corners are a bad idea. They are essentially small weighted pouches, and you can sew them or glue them depending on how much time you want to spend.
Materials:
- Sturdy cotton canvas or home-decor fabric, two 8 x 10 inch rectangles per bookend
- Dried rice, lentils, or steel shot for filling
- Polyester stuffing for the top portion
- Sewing machine and thread, or fabric glue for a no-sew version
- Iron-on interfacing for extra structure
How to make them: With right sides together, sew around the edges leaving a three-inch gap for turning. Clip the corners, turn the pouch right side out, and press. Fill the bottom two-thirds with rice or shot, then top it off with a handful of stuffing so the top stays plump rather than sagging. Stitch or glue the opening closed.
Time: about an hour for a pair. Difficulty: beginner, with basic sewing skills. The no-sew route with fabric glue and pinking shears is even more forgiving.
Personalize these with appliquéd shapes, a fabric monogram, or contrasting piping. Bookend pouches shaped like triangles or arches look especially nice on a nursery shelf, and you can color-match them to bedding or curtains. Keep the fill loose enough that the pouch settles into the shape of the books it is holding.