How to Sew a Daybed Cover for a Twin Bed

Daybeds are timeless and beautiful. Depending on how they are dressed, they can be elegant or casual and anything in between. Sewing a cover for a daybed isn't difficult--it just takes time and patience.

Things You'll Need

• Material
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Pen or pencil
• Paper
• Chalk line
• Helper

Instructions

1. Measure one end of the mattress to the other. Add 2 inches and write this measurement down.

2. Measure from the front of the mattress to the back. Add 2 inches and write this measurement down.

3. Measure from the floor to the top edge of the mattress on both ends and the front. Add 3 inches to each of these measurements and write the measurements down. All of these measurements should be about the same measurement.

4. Spread out the fabric on a large flat area, with the back of the material facing up. Using the measuring tape and the measurements from Steps 1 and 2, put light pencil marks on each measurement. You should have four corners.

5. Place one end of the chalk line on one mark, and place the other end of the chalk line on another mark, pulling the line taut. While you hold one end of the line and your helper holds the other end of the line, with your free hand reach to the middle of the chalk line and pick it up as high as you can and drop it. This will create a chalk line on the back side of your material. Continue this process until you have a rectangle.

6. Cut the material on the lines. Pin a piece of paper to this piece of fabric and mark it as the top of your daybed cover.

7. Using the measurements from Steps 1-3,.create four more rectangles for each side of your daybed cover. For instance, if your measurement from Step 1 was 77 inches and the measurement from Step 3 was 38 inches, you'll cut two rectangles that are 77 inches by 38 inches. If the measurement from Step 2 was 41 inches, you'll cut two rectangles that are 41 inches by 38 inches. Measure and cut each rectangle out separately, being sure to label each piece like you did the top piece.

8. Spread the top piece out and pin one of the other four pieces of material to it, being sure to match up the edge lengths. It may be easier to do this with the material laying on the mattress, but remember to turn all the material so the seams will be facing out. facing out. Don't pin all the pieces of the material together at the same time because it's too much material and too many pins to deal with at one time.

9. Sew the two pinned pieces together with a sewing machine.

10. Repeat Steps 8-9 until you have sewn all the pieces to the top piece.

11. Sew the corners. At this point you should have four openings in your daybed cover where the four sides meet. Lay the cover across the daybed, with the seams facing out, pin the corners closed and then sew them.

12. Hem the cover. Again with the seams facing out, put the daybed cover on the bed. Using pins, go all the way around the daybed, folding the excess material on the bottom of the cover up to just above the floor. You may need to spin the cover around to get to the back of the daybed. Once all the pins are in place, sew the hem in place.

Tips & Warnings

• If your daybed is frequently used, consider using hook and loop tape to hold the cover secure. Place small pieces of industrial tape to several places on the sides of the mattress and then attach the other side of the tape to the cover.