How to Make Cloth Barrier Bed Covers

Organic cotton barrier cloth is an fabric that can help minimize allergens that accumulate in mattresses and bedding. Dust mites, bacteria and mold can grow in bedding and cause problems for some people. People with allergy problems will often find improvement if they use barrier cloth for their bedding fabrics. Making your own bedding is a simple project. Learn how to make cloth barrier bed covers to minimize allergens in your bedding and bedroom.

Things You'll Need

• Organic barrier cloth (see "Resources") 1/4-inch-wide elastic Tape measure Sewing machine Sewing notions (pins, thread, scissors) Iron

Instructions

Make the Top and Fitted Sheets

1. 

   Measure the length and width of the mattress to be covered. These measurements must include the side edges of the mattress. Add three inches to each measurement.

2. Purchase organic barrier cloth in the amount necessary to create both a fitted sheet and a top sheet according to the measurements taken in Step 1.

3. Make two pieces of fabric the size of the dimensions determined in Step 1.

4. Turn under 1/4-inch along the raw edges of the fabric, and press this fold. Turn under 1/4-inch again, and press again. Sew along the folded edge 1/8-inch from the fold to hem all of the edges of the two fabric pieces. This hemming completes the top sheet. Finish the fitted sheet by continuing.

5. 

   Lay one hemmed fabric piece wrong side up on the mattress, and center it evenly. Bring the fabric snugly together around a corner of the mattress and pin to secure. Repeat with the other three corners.

6. Sew along the dotted line as shown in all four corners to create the darts for the fitted sheet. Trim off the excess fabric 1/2-inch from the stitching.

7. Cut four 10-inch lengths of elastic. Place each piece of elastic on the wrong side of the fabric at the center of each corner dart. Pull the elastic so that it stretches around the corner of the fabric, and pin the elastic in place.

8. Sew the elastic in place with a zigzag stitch. Be sure to keep the elastic stretched as you sew to gather the corners of the fabric. Sew each corner in this fashion to finish the fitted sheet.

Make the Pillowcase

1. Measure the dimensions of the pillow. Multiply the width measurement by two. Add 1 inch to the width and 3inches to the length.

2. Cut a piece of organic barrier cloth with the dimensions figured in Step 1.

3. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with the wrong side facing out.

4. Sew the fabric together along one short side and the long side, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

5. Turn the fabric to the right side, and pull out the corners so they are nice and pointed. Press the seams and corners.

6. Fold up 1/2-inch along the raw edges of the open end of the pillowcase, and press this fold. Sew along the folded edge 3/8-inch from the fold to hem the open edge.

7. Measure and fold up the open end of the pillowcase 2 inches along the entire open edge. Press this fold.

8. 

   Sew along both folded edges 1/8-inch from the folds. Press the edges well to finish the pillowcase.

Resources

• Organic Barrier Cloth