Nesting Series: Crib Sheet Tutorial #2

If you have been a reader for a while, you may remember the tutorial I wrote a while back on how to make a crib sheet {also works for a toddler sheet}.

Today I am showing you a second version. This time using my serger -- for anyone who owns a serger and wants to know how to do it. {If you don't own a serger, feel free to refer to my first tutorial for instructions -- OR -- beg and plead for one for Mother's Day!!!}


This time I also chose to make my fitted crib sheet out of flannel -- not cotton!


Want to make your own!?!

Here's what you need:
♥ 2 yds of flannel {or cotton}
♥ 2 yds of 3/4" knit elastic {I like knit because I find it stretches the best!}
♥ the usual stuff - {serger, sewing machine, iron, thread, scissors, rotary cutter, mat and ruler}

Here's how:
Be sure to wash and iron your fabric before beginning!

Now it's time to cut. If you have a standard sized crib mattress you can follow these instructions -- if yours is a different size, be sure to measure your mattress before beginning! 

My finished rectangle dimensions were 43" x 66". 


To cut, I folded my fabric width in half {like it is wound on the bolt at the store}. Then with my rotary cutter, ruler and mat, I make sure the starting edge is straight. Then measure out my 64" and cut there. 


Next I took a simple sheet of scratch paper and created a pattern for my corners by making an 8" square. 


Then using my disappearing ink marking pen I traced around the square in each of the 4 corners of my rectangle. Then using my fabric scissors simply cut the squares out. 


Take one of the corners and fold the cut edges so that they meet each other - wrong side of the fabric on the top -- so that you sandwich the right side of the fabric in the middle. 


Then using your serger, simply serge down the edge to create the pocket for your mattress. 


Repeat with the remaining 3 corners. Then use serge around the entire bottom part of your sheet. 


I forgot to take photos of this next step, but it's a fairly simply one... and if you would like to refer to my previous post for pictures, feel free! 

Take your sheet to your ironing board and steam iron the serged sides and edges that you have finished. This helps to set the stitching! Next you are going to create the pocket for your elastic. 


You can do this in one of two ways! I like to use a ruler to make sure that my pocket is the same size all the way around. If you choose this method, set your ruler to the 1" marking and iron a 1" fold all the way around the bottom of your sheet. 

OR

Open your elastic and  use it to measure the width of your fold. You'll want to add about 1/4" extra to the width of your elastic so that you have room to stitch your pocket closed and a little bit of wiggle room to feed your elastic through. 

Now, take your sheet to your regular sewing machine and straight stitch about 1/8" from the serged edge of the folded pocket so that your opening will be 3/4" {the width of your elastic} + 1/8" wiggle room.

Be sure as you sew to leave a 1-2" opening so you can feed your elastic through. 

Use a safety pin attached to one end of your elastic to feed it through the pocket all the way around your sheet. Don't let the other end get "sucked" into the pocket -- you'll have to either go fishing for it, or start all over! It takes some time to get the elastic all the way through, so sit back, put your feet up, and get comfy!

Once your elastic has made it's round trip journey ☺ sew the ends of the elastic together and feed the left over back into your pocket. You may need to re-distribute the elastic in your pocket to get it all to look nice. 

Then straight stitch your pocket opening closed and you are all done! Time to try it out on your mattress!!


It's super simple to do and only took me about an hour -- including all the ironing time and trying to get up off the floor from cutting my fabric. 



 Make a couple for yourself -- we all know babies make nigh time messes! Or, impress your friends and give a couple as a baby shower gift!

The best part is, if you want a custom look for your nursery, you can totally use whatever fabric you want! You aren't limited to what you can find at Target or Babies R Us.

PLUS... this whole sheet cost me a total of about $7 -- since the flannel was on sale. But the possibilities are endless!



Only 10 weeks to go and still so much to do:
crib sheet
curtains
• recover glider chair
• boppy pillow slipcovers
• changing pad covers
• wash baby clothes
• baby quilt
• baby playmat
• nursing cover-up
• carseat canopy
• pack 'n play changing pad cover
• diapers and wipes pouch

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Updated 2/25/14

I am working on a nursery/toddler room for my boys. I used this tutorial again to make this cute crib sheet for the new crib! I can't wait until baby comes {in about 10 weeks} for him to use it! 




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Want to learn how to make your own muslin crib sheets like Aden and Anais for a lot less money!? Check out my post on where to buy your fabric and how to work with it to make your own crib or toddler bed sheets.



2 comments

  1. Hi! Thank you for the tutorial! I do have a question though. After all the corners are done, how do you "serge around the entire bottom part of your sheet"? How do you start? Do you use the serger with the knife and cut off some of the fabric or do you remove the knife from the serger? Hope the question isn't too confusing. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Natalia,
    Thanks for your question! I must have forgot to mention what I did. I kept my knife on and just serged around the entire bottom of the sheet. To start I line up my fabric and as I press down the pedal on my machine I gently move my fabric into position so that the beginning is tapered. Then when I get back to where I started I cut the rest of the beginning taper off with the serger knife until the fabric lines up again.

    I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
    Katy

    ReplyDelete

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