How to Make Fitted Queen Bedsheets Into Double Bed Sheets
A queen bed is 60 inches wide, while a double is 54 inches wide. While it is possible to use queen sheets on a double bed, they will not fit as well as the correct-sized sheet since they won’t stay flat and taut. Making queen fitted sheets into double bed fitted sheets can be done with some careful measuring and an intermediate sewing skill level. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Self-erasing fabric marking pencil
- Long straight-edge
- Sewing machine
- Matching thread
- Bodkin
- 1/2-inch elastic
Instructions
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1
Open the hem all around the sheet. Remove any elastic sewn into the hem.
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2
Open the fitted corners by cutting very close to the seam.
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3
Lay the sheet out flat and press. The shape of the sheet will be a large rectangle with square pieces removed from each corner.
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4
Fold the sheet in half lengthwise, matching the edges and square cut-outs.
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5
Draw a line vertically, at the center of the length of the sheet, from the fold up to the raw edge.
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6
Measure, up from the fold toward the raw edges, a measurement equal to half the width of the mattress, plus the mattress depth plus 6 inches. For example, half the mattress width is 27 inches, plus the depth of 12 inches plus 6 inches equals 45 inches. Place marks at this measurement parallel to the fold, 10 inches apart and across the sheet, from left to right. Connect all these marks. This is the width cut line.
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Mark to the left and right of the center line, on the fold, the measurement equal to half the length of the mattress, plus the mattress depth, and then another 6 inches. Draw a length cut line at this point up from the fold toward the raw edges, intersecting the width cut line.
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Cut on the cut lines. Measure in toward the center from each corner, the depth of the mattress plus 5 1/2 inches and place a mark on the sheet, (mark "1"). If the mattress is 12 inches deep, this measurement will be 17 1/2 inches. Measure down from the corner, toward the fold, this same amount and place a mark, (mark "2"). Measure in toward the center of the sheet from this last mark, the same measurement and place a mark, (mark "3"). Connect marks 2 and 3 and 1 and 3. Cut on the line drawn. Cut this square out at each corner of the sheet. This will mimic the cut-out squares that were evident when the sheet was first opened.
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Join the two edges of the cut-out squares with the right sides together, and sew with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Finish the edge with a zig-zag stitch or use a seam finishing machine (a serger) to prevent fraying.
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10
Turn the bottom edge of the sheet in toward the wrong side 1/2-inch and press. Turn again another 1 inch. Stitch this casing hem closed all around the sheet, leaving a 2-inch opening for elastic insertion.
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Cut a piece of 1/2-inch elastic, the length equal to twice the length of the mattress plus twice the width less one-third of the total. Insert this elastic through the casing. Sew the ends together, slipping them into the casing. Stitch the casing closed.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the same measurements as well as cutting and sewing techniques to create fitted sheets for any sized bed. Sheeting is available by the yard at home decor fabric stores.
Use the same techniques to create slip-on covers for pet beds, floor cushions or RV cushions.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
