From the Sewing Room ~ Crib Sheets

The grands have been at their other grandparents for a couple of days, so I took the time to make Anna another sheet set for her toddler bed. I've made a couple other sets, and this one matches a quilt I had made for her. The set includes a fitted bottom sheet, a top sheet with a fitted bottom to keep it tucked in, and a matching pillow case. Thought I'd share with you how it all comes together, if you'd like to make a set for someone special in your life. It isn't difficult to make at all. You can use a favorite themed fabric or any fabric that coordinates.

The mattress for Anna's bed is 52x22x6. I used two yards of fabric for the bottom sheet to allow for the thickness of the mattress. If your mattress is a different size, buy enough fabric for the length of the mattress plus twice the depth and a couple more inches for the casing. Typical cotton fabric is 42-44 inches wide, which works well for the width of the mattress. Be sure to pre-wash the fabric. You don't want any surprise shrinking after the sheets are washed. Depending on where you buy your fabric, it may be a good idea to buy just a bit more than your measurements.

I purchased another two-thirds yard to make the matching pillowcase. Or, you could get the extra two-thirds of a yard to match the top sheet. Your choice. I chose the coordinating fabric for the band on the pillowcase. You will also need 3 yards of 1/4-inch elastic.

For the bottom sheet:
(1) Cut out a square (mattress thickness +2 inches) from each corner of the fabric. I cut an 8-inch square. I did this by folding the fabric in half to cut two corners at a time, or you can fold the fabric in fourths and cut all four corners at once.

(2) The corner seams are French seams that help to keep the inside seams from raveling. (The corners seams are shown vertically in the pictures below.) To do this, fold the fabric so the 8-inch corner cuts are wrong sides together (below left). Pin and stitch with a 1/4-inch seam. Trim to an eighth inch. Turn the seam right sides together (below right). Stitch with1/4-inch seam, being careful to enclose raw edge. Repeat for each corner.

(3) Make a casing all around the edge of the sheet. To do this, I folded and ironed under 1/4-inch all around, then folded and stitched 1/2-inch hem, leaving a couple of inches unstitched to insert the elastic. Cut a piece of elastic 80 inches. It's a good idea to pin the end of the elastic near the opening so it doesn't slip through the opening as the elastic is being moved through the casing. Work the elastic around to the other side of the opening. Overlap the ends of the elastic about a half inch and join with a zigzag stitch.

(4) Stitch the opening closed, being careful not to catch the elastic. Adjust the fabric uniformly along the elastic. That's how simple it is to make the fitted bottom sheet!

For the top sheet with a fitted bottom:

(1) The top sheet is cut the length of the mattress + the depth of the mattress + 2 inches to allow for tucking under the mattress with casing + 3 inches for the top hem. The width is the width of the fabric.

(2) Cut squares the depth of the mattress +2 inches from the 2 bottom corners. Sew the two corners the same as for the bottom sheet.

(3) Fold and iron under 1/4 inch on the flat top part of the sheet, then fold again and stitch a 2.5- inch hem.

(4) Cut elastic about 6 inches longer than width of mattress. I used what I had left in the package after cutting for the bottom sheet. Elastic will be inserted only in the lower portion of the top sheet, so make a hem/casing down the side, across the bottom, and up the other side of the sheet, leaving about a 2-inch opening along the sides, 10 inches from both of the bottom corners.

(5) Insert elastic into one opening, using a zigzag stitch to secure it before working it through the casing. Zigzag the other end of the elastic to secure it when it reaches the other opening. Stitch openings closed.

 

There you have the fitted top sheet to stay put during night time tossing and turning!

 

Add a coordinating pillow case, and you have the complete set!

The best tutorial I've seen on making a pillow case is done by Vanessa at CraftyGemini.com. There are French seams, and the border is sewn with a hidden seam inside. It's super simple, and Vanessa walks you through it step by step here. 

I got the idea of a fitted top sheet from Deborah at whip-stitch.com. Do take a look here for inspiration!

I hope these instructions have been clear to you. Happy sewing! Would love to see what you made!

Vickie