How to easily and in just an hour sew a fitted sheet

Although it may seem difficult, creating your own fitted sheet can be done quickly and simply. You can make a sheet that fits your bed perfectly in just one hour, saving money and giving your bedding a unique touch.

It’s an easy process that doesn’t call for sophisticated sewing knowledge. Simple sewing supplies, some fabric, and elastic are all you’ll need. Sewing a fitted sheet is a manageable and rewarding project, regardless of your level of sewing experience.

We’ll walk you through the process of making your own fitted sheet in this guide. You won’t need much time to make a new sheet that is ready to use, from measuring and cutting the fabric to sewing the corners and adding elastic.

Fitted sheets: advantages and disadvantages

There are benefits and drawbacks to using elastic band mattress covers.

• aesthetic appearance;
• functionality;
• protection of the mattress both on top and at the ends;
• convenient for children"s beds, especially when a diaper is placed on top.

The inconvenience of ironing such a sheet is the only drawback. Rolled fitted sheets that have been cleaned and ironed should be kept in storage.

Choosing the shape and size of a fitted sheet

We will need to measure the mattress in order to sew a sheet that fits properly (if you have the label, you can find ready-made measurements on it).

• length of the product;
• width of the product;
• height of the mattress.

Round, oval, or rectangular sheets with elastic bands are available, depending on the shape of the mattress. The most widely used mattress pad sizes with fasteners for kids and adults are listed below:

• 120×60 cm;
• 140×200 cm;
• 160×200 cm;
• 90×200 cm.

Measure your mattress precisely and use those measurements to sew a fitted sheet.

Choosing fabric for sewing fitted sheets

We advise choosing natural, breathable fabrics whenever possible. For sewing fitted sheets, materials based on cotton, linen, or bamboo fibers work best.

High-quality, dense linen and cotton do not cause allergies, do not "steam" the skin, do not electrify, are hygroscopic, and hold up well to repeated washings.

Calico and satin are the best cotton fabrics to sew bed linens from.

Jerseys and flannel work well in the winter.

Calculating the amount of fabric for a fitted sheet

For instance, we recommend figuring out how much fabric is needed for a mattress that measures 122 by 62 cm and has a 14 cm height. In order to achieve this, you must add 14 cm (height) to the length and width. This will yield a drawing that measures 136 by 76 cm. Next, we’ll need an additional 10 cm for the hem, and we’ll also need a fabric reserve of about 3 cm on all sides to sew in the elastic band. Consequently, we will obtain a 149×89 cm rectangle.

Analogously, a template is created for the material of a mattress sheet intended for an "adult."

For instance, we would draw a rectangle measuring 160 by 200 cm and add 20 cm for the height on all sides. We would then add 10–20 cm for the fold and hem. We are left with a 230 by 270 cm piece of fabric. This is how we determined the sheet’s parameters:

• by width – 15 + 20 + 160 + 20 + 15 = 230 cm;
• by length – 15 + 20 + 200 + 20 + 15 = 270 cm.

Remember to account for the elastic band’s width. The dimensions listed above are predicated on using standard underwear tape! Give the drawstring more centimeters to form if you use a wider elastic band.

We advise you to consider the possibility of the fabric shrinking before beginning to cut! After the first wash, we decate the fabric to prevent deformation of the mattress cover: we wash it at the appropriate temperature, dry it, and iron it.

Let’s now determine the linen braid’s length. It should measure the same as the length of all the sides folded together plus an additional few centimeters. Once the elastic has been inserted into the drawstring, we must modify its tension before tying or sewing the edges and cutting off any extra.

How to sew a sheet with an elastic band

You’ll need the following supplies and tools to sew a sheet:

• natural breathable fabric;
• measuring tape or meter ruler;
• pencil or chalk for marking;
• sharpened scissors;
• tailor"s pins;
• threads to match the fabric;
• sewing machine;
• underwear elastic – no more than 5 meters;
• safety pin for threading the elastic ribbon into the drawstring.

Using the wrong side of the fabric, make marks on it. We symmetrically mark the mattress’s contour, emphasizing the squares in the corners (the edges of the filigree are sewn, but the squares must be cut out).

We double-check the fabric’s measurements along with the mattress’s actual dimensions, adding hem and drawstring allowances. Remove extra fabric by trimming, allowing 1 to 1.5 cm for seam allowances. With the cut-out corners facing inward, we pin the fabric before sewing. We stitch things together.

High mattresses frequently have rounded corners. You will need to make a few more adjustments to ensure that the sheet fits this type of mattress properly.

This mattress has a slightly different pattern than the last one, and it looks like this:

The location of the rounding is depicted in the picture.

Although making a fitted sheet seems difficult, you can do it yourself in an hour by following a few easy steps. You can quickly and effectively make a perfectly fitted sheet for your bed even if you’re not experienced with sewing because this guide breaks the process down into simple, manageable steps.

How to insert an elastic band

An elastic band is sewn around the perimeter of the mattress after the base is sewn together. In order to accomplish this, we fold the fabric along the sheet’s sections to create a 1.5–2 cm wide drawstring. We pin or basting, attach, making sure to allow a gap of two to three centimeters for the elastic to be threaded, and then take out the pins or basting. Using fasteners, we secure the stitching on the sheet at its edges.

Using a safety pin, thread the elastic band through the opening and around the whole edge of the sheet. After adjusting the tension, tie or sew the tape’s edges.

Sewing with elastic tape can be done in a variety of ways. Elastic bands, in particular, can be fastened at the corners. You can save a lot of money on elastic tape with this option, but in this instance, we advise using an elastic band that is at least 3 cm wide. As seen in the picture below, the elastic bands are fastened to the sheet’s corner:

Another option is to sew on vertical fasteners, which works well for narrow mattresses:

How to sew a children"s sheet with an elastic band with your own hands: video MK

A child often adjusts their body position while they sleep. Consequently, the sheet usually ends up on the floor at some point. The comprehensive master class that follows will walk you through the process of sewing a crib sheet with an elastic band:

Sewing a comfortable sheet with an elastic band for a single bed: video MK

You will learn how to sew a mattress pad for an adolescent using this master video class, which can be found here:

Step	Description
Measure and Cut Fabric	Measure your mattress and cut the fabric accordingly, adding extra inches for seams and corners.
Prepare Corners	Fold the corners of the fabric to match the depth of the mattress and sew the edges together to create the fitted corners.
Sew the Edges	Sew the sides and edges of the fabric together, leaving an elastic casing at the edge.
Add Elastic	Thread elastic through the casing and sew the ends to secure it, ensuring the sheet fits snugly on the mattress.
Finish	Trim any excess fabric, press the seams, and your fitted sheet is ready to use.

A fitted sheet can be quickly and successfully made. You can make a personalized sheet that fits your mattress precisely and gives your bedding a unique touch in just one hour.

It’s simple to do: measure your mattress, cut your fabric, and sew the corners to form the edges that are elasticized. Even if you’ve never sewn before, the instructions are clear and easy to follow.

You can guarantee a tight fit and excellent finishing by selecting the appropriate fabric and taking precise measurements. This little sewing project will make your bedroom look better and make you feel accomplished. Enjoy your sewing!

Video on the topic

Master classK "How to make a FITTED SHEET from a ready-made sheet"

DIY Fitted sheet – without a pattern and in 30 minutes!

DIY fitted sheet. Step-by-step master class on sewing a sheet

A simple way to remake a regular sheet into an fitted sheet. Detailed sewing master class

Fitted sheet in 10 minutes / how to cut and sew for any mattress size

Fitted sheet. How to sew an elastic sheet. Simple pattern. Sewing advisor.