How to Sew a Box Pleat Bedskirt

Bedskirts are a simple sewing project that help hide unsightly areas under a bed and give the room a finished look. To make a bedskirt, you'll need fabric for the skirt itself, as well as a large piece of fabric that goes on top of the box spring and holds the skirt in place. Since this part of the bedskirt won't show, you may want to use old flat sheet, but you can also use any inexpensive fabric. If the fabric is narrower than the bed, you'll need to sew several pieces together to make them wide enough to cover the mattress.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Fabric for bedskirt
• Matching thread
• Fabric for skirt holder
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing machine

Instructions

Sew the Bedskirt

1. Measure the distance from the bottom of the mattress to the floor to determine the length of the bedskirt. Add 1 1/4 inches to this measurement for hems and seam allowance.

2. Measure the width of the foot end of the mattress and the length of the sides. Standard mattress sizes include twin (39 by 75 inches), full or double (54 by 75 inches), queen (60 by 80 inches), king (76 by 80) and California king (72 by 84 inches).

3. Add 9 1/2 inches to each of the side measurements and 17 1/2 inches to the foot measurement to allow enough extra fabric for the box pleats, hems and seam.

4. Cut the bedskirt fabric to size using the calculations in Steps 1 through 3. For example, a twin bed would need two side skirt pieces each about 84 1/2 inches long, and a foot piece about 56 1/2 inches long. If you need to sew several pieces of fabric together to make the bedskirt long enough, make sure to add extra seam allowance to each piece.

5. Place one side piece and the foot piece right sides together, lining them up along one short end. Pin them together and stitch them together along the short end using 1/4 inch seam allowance.

6. Sew the other side piece to the other end of the foot piece the same way. The bedskirt should now be one long continuous piece.

7. Hem the long lower edge of the bedskirt using 1/2 inch double fold hems. Hem the short ends of the bedskirt the same way.

8. Trim the flat sheet or skirt holder fabric so that it's 1 inch larger than the top of the mattress on each side. Hem the top edge of the skirt holder fabric (the one that goes next to the headboard) using a 1/2 inch double fold hem.

Make the Box Pleats

1. Measure 8 inches to the side of one of the seams between the side and foot pieces. Mark this measurement with a pin along the top edge of the bedskirt. Do the same on the opposite side of the seam, so that the seam is centered between the two pins.

2. Bring the pinned areas over to meet the seam in the middle, creating the box pleat. Pin the folded fabric, then stitch along the top edge of the folded fabric to hold the pleat in place.

3. Preheat the iron to the appropriate temperature for the type of fabric you're using, then press the folds in place.

4. Create a second box pleat the same way on the other seam at the foot of the bedskirt.

5. Pin the upper edge of the bedskirt to the edges of the skirt holder, with the fabric right sides together. Stitch the bedskirt to the skirt holder.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to use a damp press cloth, such as a cotton handkerchief, when ironing the box pleats to help create firm creases.

• Use caution when working with scissors, pins, irons and sewing machines.

Resources

• Burda Style provides instructions with photos for making box pleats.
• The Artful Crafter shows a box pleat bedskirt.