How to Make a Vinyl Bed Covering
Vinyl bed coverings are a terrific way to protect a mattress from moisture, bed wetting or other accidents. There are several sizes to select from depending on the bed size. The vinyl bed covers have traditionally been an off-white color and semi-transparent. Today, vinyl is made in different textures, thicknesses and colors creating an opportunity to create your own designer vinyl bed covering. The vinyl used for bed coverings and other craft ideas is lightweight and easy to clean. To purchase designer vinyl, see the resources section.
Things You'll Need
- Vinyl (in your choice of color and style)
- Heavy-duty elastic (1/2 inch wide, 4 feet long) or zipper (width of mattress plus 1 foot)
- Cotton thread
- Measuring tape
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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Creating Your Bed Covering
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1
Measure the length, width and depth of your mattress. For a vinyl bed covering that fits like a sheet, include an extra two inches in length and width so the vinyl will wrap over the underside of the mattress. This will work better for the thicker and heavier mattresses.
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2
Lay the vinyl out in an area where you have plenty of room to work, preferably the floor. To protect your floor, you may wish to use cardboard along the edges where you are cutting, placing the cardboard under the vinyl to protect your floor.
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3
Pin your heavy-duty elastic to the corners; begin with the elastic folded in half and place the center at the corner of the vinyl. The preferable length is 12 inches, allowing for six inches to each side of the corner.
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4
To make a slipcover for your mattress, cut two pieces according to your measurements. Measure six inches down on both sides from one of the ends; this is the end for the zipper. Stitch this end first; fold the cut edges back, pinning the zipper over the seam and removing the stitches.
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5
Finish sewing your bed cover and remember to reinforce the stitches at both ends that meet your zipper. Turn your vinyl bed covering inside out and slide it over the mattress.
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Tips & Warnings
To ensure that your vinyl bed covering survives the wear and tear, it is better to use a heavy-duty elastic or zipper and durable thread. Using cotton/button or quilting thread will ensure the seams will not tear out easily. Allow a little room for movement when you measure your mattress to make the slip-over bed cover. It is not necessary to make it tight fitting; this will reduce the stress on the seams. If you are making the slip-on cover for a really thick mattress, you will need to measure and cut a siding piece if the mattress measures wider than 54 inches.
