Tool Time Tuesday...PVC Dog Gate and Stair Baskets Too

This TTT isn't for everyone...but you could maybe configure it to fit your life in some way. There is also a bonus idea at the end that everyone can use!!
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This is Annie...our 10 year old yellow lab. She is a sweetheart and we love her to pieces.

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I asked her to wave to all my blogging friends!
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spaceThese are our stairs...basket description at the end of the post
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going all the way up there.
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This is Annie on the stairs...

coming all the way down here...

This picture is literally the last time Annie will be on the stairs. She is getting old and has fallen down the full flight twice. Once was in the middle of the night. You can't imagine what that sounded like. We've been lucky and she wasn't hurt, but we're not taking any more chances. She is taking each step as slowly as possible is this picture.

Because of that, I made this. Gates you buy in the store aren't long enough, they are too high, not cute, cost too much...I could go on and on!!

This gate just rests between the spindles of the stairs. We slide it back and forth to get through, but it's short enough to just step over. It's even shorter now since I took this picture, because it seems we have a cat that will scale the wall about 5 feet if you are playing with her with one of her toys, but she won't hop over this. Go figure...that's a cat for you.

I know...this is pitiful, but I sewed her a brand new big bed for the family room and she loves it. We do miss her sleeping in our room, but sorry Annie...no more stairs for you.

Remember the post for the design wall I made with PVC, well same thing. Just measure the width and height that you need, cut the PVC pipe with a saw and add the corner pieces. All can be found in your plumbing section at the hardware store. Ignore that little piece in the middle of one of the long pipes. I just used what I had and that was from another project. You don't need that piece. You just need 4 corner pieces, 2 short side and 2 long sides.

Just tap all the parts together to form the frame.

Now to cover it with fabric so it's pretty!! Measure the height all the way around with a tape measure. This will ensure you get the thickness of your pipe.

My measurement was 41.5 and I added 1/2" for a seam allowance. I cut the fabric 42" in one big piece, because I folded it over instead on cutting 2 separate pieces. You'll see in a second what I mean.

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Now measure the width all the way around and add 1/2" for seam allowance.

I'm calling that 103.5" plus 1/2" for seam... is 104"

Divide the width by 2, which should be 52...not sure why I took a picture of 52.5"

Here's the pieces of fabric that I have folded over (fold at the top) so it measures 21" x 52" (this is just for my measurement though) With right side together, just sew the short sides with a 1/4" seam.

Now it's just like a big slip cover or pillow case. Slide the bottom opening over the PVC frame. You could whip stitch the bottom closed, but I just left it open.

and here you have it...a pretty safety gate for Annie. However, you could use this anywhere for dogs, babies, toddlers. If you don't have spindles to rest it between, you could always tie a ribbon around the PVC and then attach it to the stairs or doorway or wherever you need it. It can keep things in or out. The great thing about this gate is it's cheap, you can make it to any size you need, you can match it to your room and it's cute too. Here's the gate with the baskets that I always keep on the stairs.

I did a post on these baskets a long time ago, but I'll mention them again. These are my "Crap Baskets"...yes "Crap". If I see or collect any one's crap throughout the house, it goes in that person's basket. When they are on their way upstairs, they need to either take their crap or just take the whole basket full of crap with them. I purchased these baskets a while ago at Walmart.

What's usually in these baskets, you name it...hair elastics, jewelry, hair brushes, socks, shoes, makeup, books, magazines, games, receipts, clothes, cell phone chargers. Oh my gosh, I could go on, but you know what crap is.

I used the clear name badge holders you can buy in the office supply section for $1.88 for 12. I just tied it to the basket and slip their name into it.

Hey, that was a Two For Tool Time Tuesday...a gate and the baskets. Hope you like it.

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***UPDATE....CLICK HERE TO SEE A RECENT POST FOR OTHER BASKET IDEAS

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Have a great day or should I say Have a Gate day,

~Karen~