DIY Bed Skirt From an Old Tablecloth

An old tablecloth doesn’t have to be the next item in your yard sale. If the material is in good condition, free of stains and matches your bedroom, you can turn it into a bed skirt. Once your material is measured and cut, you should be able to set up your brand-new bed skirt in less than a day.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Wide muslin fabric
• Table cloth
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of your box spring and add 2 inches to each measurement. Because the tablecloth most likely won't be larger than your bed, cut a piece of muslin to this size to be the portion which slips between the mattress and box spring.

2. Fold over the edges of the muslin along all four sides by 1/2 inch; fold the edges again another 1/2 inch. Pin the fold in place. Sew a 1/4-inch seam all around to secure the hems, removing the pins as you go.

3. Measure the distance between the top of your box spring and the floor. Subtract 1 inch if you want the skirt to hover over the floor rather than touch it. Add 1.5 inches to the distance measurement to find the width needed for the skirt strips.

4. Add 2 inches to the length measurement of the box spring. Cut two long rectangular strips of tablecloth to this length, and to the strip width from Step 3. These strips will skirt the sides of the bed. Add 2 inches to the width of the box spring and cut one strip to this length measurement by the strip width of Step 3. This strip will run along the foot of the bed. If necessary, sew shorter strips together to form the final measurements you need.

5. Fold over each short edge of your strips to the back side of the fabric by 1/2 inch to form a rough hem. Fold the edges over a second time, also to the back, to tuck the raw edges of the material into the roll of the hem. Pin the folds. Fold over one of the long sides of each strip twice by 1/2-inch as well and pin. Sew the folds in place and remove the pins.

6. Spread the prepared muslin piece out on a flat surface with the folds facing down. Lay one of the side strips on top of one long side of the muslin with the folds facing up and the only long, raw edge aligned with the edge of the muslin. Pin the strip to the muslin, sew the two together and remove the pins.

7. Repeat spreading out the muslin as in Step 5 to attach the other side strip to the other side of the muslin. Repeat this step one last time to attach the short strip to the bottom edge of the muslin panel. Place the bed skirt on top of the box spring with all folds facing down and let the strips hang over the sides and foot of the bed. Set the mattress over the bed skirt to complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Standard mattress sizes include twin (38-by-75 inches), full (53-by-75 inches), queen (60-by-80 inches), king (76-by-80 inches) and California king (72-by-84 inches).