How to Sew Bed Sheets

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Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure

  • Fabric

  • Straight pins

  • Sewing machine

  • Thread to match fabric

  • 1/2-inch-wide elastic

  • Safety pins

  • Scissors

Bed sheets are an expensive investment. Even the less expensive and lesser quality sheet ensembles are pricey unless you find a good sale. Sewing bed sheets at home is a viable option to retail purchasing of bed linens. The process is simple, but involves a great deal of fabric and repetitive sewing. Patience is the key when sewing bed sheets, but the experience of creating practical household goods with one's own hands is the end reward.

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Flat Sheet Instructions

Step 1

Determine yardage required for bed sheets to be sewn. A standard fabric yard measures 44 inches wide by 36 inches long. You will need to sew two lengths of fabric together to achieve the necessary width. The following are fabric measurements needed for sheets, based on the finished product size according to EgyptianCottonBedSheets.com: Twin: flat, 68 inches wide by 98 inches long; fitted, 41 inches wide by 77 inches long. Full: flat, 83 inches wide by 98 inches long; fitted, 56 inches wide by 77 inches long. Queen: flat, 92 inches wide by 104 inches long; fitted, 62 inches wide by 82 inches long. King: flat, 110 inches wide by 104 inches long; fitted, 80 inches wide by 82 inches long.

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Step 2

Pin two fabric sections according to measurements of the bed sheet. Sew, using a straight stitch, vertically, the center of the fabric (1-inch seam allowance). Zigzag raw edges of seam for reinforcement. Cut fabric to required measurements.

Step 3

Fold all edges, 1 inch, to the wrong side of fabric twice, so no raw edges are exposed. Pin.

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Step 4

Straight stitch four sides of the sheet. Remove pins. Iron.

Fitted Sheet Instructions

Step 1

Pin two fabric sections according to measurements of sheet. Sew, straight stitch, vertically, the center of the fabric (1-inch seam allowance). Zigzag edges of seam. Cut fabric to required measurements.

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Step 2

Fold edges, 1/2 inch to wrong side of fabric twice, so no raw edges are exposed. Pin. Straight stitch four sides of the sheet. Remove pins.

Step 3

Measure mattress depth from the top edge to bottom edge (not box springs, just mattress). For example, approximately 9 inches deep.

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Step 4

Place hemmed sheet fabric on a flat surface. Measure and cut a square from each corner, 1-inch longer than mattress depth. For example: 9 inches deep equals a square 10 inches by 10 inches from each corner.

Step 5

Face fabric wrong side up. Pin each corner edge forming fitted "box." Sew seams, straight stitch, 1/4-inch seam allowance. Zigzag raw edges.

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Step 6

Measure 20 inches around each corner, 10 inches in each direction (side and end of sheet each corner). Pin to mark. Turn 20-inch edges around each corner over, creating 1-inch casing for elastic. Pin. Sew, each corner casing leaving open both ends.

Step 7

Cut four 10-inch elastic pieces. For each corner: Connect safety pins to elastic ends. Connect one elastic end with pin to casing. Feed safety pin/elastic through casing, until pin/elastic emerges from casing. Pin. Sew ends to casing. Sew casing closed. Iron all hems. Make bed as usual.

Tip

Recycle worn larger sheets by cutting/sewing into smaller sized sheets.

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