Do you want a full bedding set, but nothing on the market seems to match your taste? Then maybe it’s time you learned how to make a full bedding set! Most of these projects are insanely easy, so take a look at all of them to see if there’s something you’d like to try and make by yourself.
Making a Full Bedding Set
Let’s break this down into all the pieces you need.
Fitted Sheet
What You’ll Need:
- Fabric
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Pins
- Stretch or ballpoint sewing machine needles
- Mat
- Ruler
- Rotary cutter
- Flexible measuring tape
- Elastic band
Step 1: Measure the Mattress
Standard parameters may exist for the dimensions of mattresses, although the actual measurements might vary significantly, particularly regarding depth. Take careful measurements of the mattress’s depth, length, and width.
Divide the depth by two, add the width, and then add 6 inches; this will give you space to tuck 3 inches of each side of the mattress beneath itself. After multiplying the depth by two and adding the length, you should add six inches to tuck beneath the mattress at both the head and the foot.
Step 2: Cut the Corners
Using 45-inch-wide fabric, you can cut the pieces to the length you need and sew them along said length. If you don’t want a center seam, you can add fabric pieces to the side and sew them. Consider the three inches needed for tickling and the depth of the mattress. With this measurement in mind, cut a square of this size from all corners of the main fabric pieces.
Step 3: Sew the Corners
Pin and sew the two edges at the corners, ensuring that the right sides face each other. This corner is known as a boxed corner. You can complete the seam with either a zigzag or a serger stitch. You may also stitch a French seam as an alternative for a more elegant finish.
Step 4: Make the Edges
To get ready to hem the borders of the sheet, turn it over and press it 1/4 inch to the wrong side, and then press it another 1/4 inch.
Stitch the hem around the sheet if you intend to add elastic to the four corners of the sheet. However, if you plan to put elastic around the sheet, you won’t need to pre-sew the hem. If that’s the case, you may skip this step.
Step 5: Sew the Elastic
If you have a stretch/ballpoint needle, you should put that in your sewing machine. When stitching through elastic, this technique will prevent the stitches from skipping.
Attach the elastic to the sheet’s edge by stitching it in a zigzag pattern, making sure to overlap the fold of the hem’s interior. Backstitching should be done at the beginning, and you should stretch the elastic as you sew.
It’d help if you worked your way around the whole sheet. Once you have reached the beginning of the project, you will need to backstitch and overlap the elastic. You’ll need to cut four pieces of elastic that are 10 inches long if you want to only have elastic in the corners of the sheet.
On the wrong side of the sheet, position each piece of elastic so it is centered at the bottom of each boxed corner. Along the rim of the sheet, stretch each end of the elastic to its maximum capacity using your hands.
Attach the elastic to the four corners of the sheet by using a zigzag stitch, making sure to keep the elastic stretched out while you do so that it can pull the sides in. Iterate on each of the four corners.
Top Sheet
Since a top sheet is almost identical to a flat sheet, the following tutorial will come in handy regardless of which of these you’re trying to make.
What You’ll Need:
- The fabric of your choice
- Measuring tape
- Thread
- Sewing machine
Step 1: Cut the Fabric
Determine what side you want the fabric to be. Measure your mattress and add two extra inches for the width and seven for the length.
Step 2: Sew the Hems
Work on the wrong side/other side of the fabric. Press the sides by ½ inch. Press them again with another half to make a double-fold hem. Sew the hems using a straight stitch.
Work on the fabric’s wrong side again for the bottom hem. Press up the bottom edge by a quarter of an inch. Press it up again by three quarters. Sew across the hem and make a backstitch at the end.
Work on the wrong side for the top hem and press over the top raw edge by an inch. Do that again by five inches. Sew the hem and make a backstitch at the end.
Pillow Cases
The following measurements are for a pillowcase that is the regular size. Suppose you wish to make a queen or king-size pillowcase instead. In that case, the measurements will need to be adjusted somewhat, but the changes won’t be too significant.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 to 2 yards of fabric
- Scissors
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Straight pins
- Iron
Step 1: Cut the Fabric
First, cut two pieces of fabric off the bolt that are the same size. The length of each piece should be 29.5 inches, and the width should be 21 inches. When you’re done, you will have a pillowcase measuring 20 by 26 inches.
Step 2: Fold and Iron the Fabric
Begin by folding the cloth over 3.5 inches to make the pillowcases’ outer edge seam. After that, press the folded portion with your iron and secure it with pins so it doesn’t move.
Step 3: Sew the Fabric
Sew the raw edge of the fabric together along the bottom. This will result in a fake cuff that has an appearance not dissimilar to that of a French seam.
Place the second piece of fabric in front of you and repeat step 2. Join the pieces by pinning them and then stitching them.
Step 4: Pin and Sew the Pieces
The next step is to place the two pieces of cloth with the right sides facing each other and align the cuffs you created in the two previous steps. The hole in the pillow is located on the side of the cuffs.
It is important to remember to leave the opening for the cuff unstitched as you sew around the perimeter of the remaining three sides of the pillowcase. The remaining three sides should be pinned together using straight pins.
Turn the pillowcase inside-out, so the right side faces out, and you may start using it.
Dust Ruffle/Bed Skirt
The following will show you how to make a simple bed skirt without sewing.
What You’ll Need:
- A flat sheet
- Upholstery twist pins
Making a bed skirt using a flat sheet is very simple:
- Drape the sheet over the box spring/bed platform.
- Make sure the edges of the sheet brush the floor on all visible sides.
- Take the upholstery pins and secure the sheet to the top side of the box spring, two inches away from the edge.
- Take the extra fabric on the corner and straighten it to the side.
- Secure this flap to the bed using pins.
- Secure the top of the corner using a pin.
- Repeat the process for all corners.
- Iron the seams for a smoother appearance.
Duvet Cover
This one is optional as not everyone uses a duvet.
What You’ll Need:
- Bedding fabric – 95 inches wide x 4.5 yards long
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Buttons
- All-purpose thread
- Ruler
- Tape measure
Step 1: Measure and Cut the Fabric
Measure your duvet before you start cutting the fabric. Add allowance to make sure you have enough fabric. For instance, if you have an 83 x 78 inches duvet, add two inches to the width and 4 to the length.
Once you have determined your size, the next step is to choose how the fabric will be divided. “Place” the sides more effectively on the fabric, ensuring they face in the same direction. You’ll have a front and a back piece.
Step 2: Make the Hem
On the wrong side of the fabric, make a line that’s 2 inches along the bottom edge. Fold these inches to the inside and apply pressure. Fold an extra inch on the inside and apply pressure again. Sew the hem close to the outer fold and once more to the interior fold line. Repeat the process for both sheets.
Step 3: Sew the Fabric
When making a duvet cover, use French seams since they prevent the possibility of the fabric on the inside of the cover fraying and give the end product a perfect and polished look.
Therefore, place your two rectangles so that the wrong sides are touching. Pin and sew a seam that is 1/4 inches wide around all three edges, including the top and sides.
After turning the fabric so that the wrong side is facing out, press the seam closed. Sew the same three sides together using a seam allowance that is a little bit larger than usual. By doing so, the raw edges are enclosed within the seam.
Step 4: Add the Buttons
When it comes to securing the bottom of the duvet, you have several choices. The buttonhole attachment included with most sewing machines will make it simple for you to create buttons and buttonholes.
After turning the duvet cover inside out so that the right side faces out, sew along the seams about 20 inches toward the middle while sewing through both fabrics. This will be the corner located at the bottom of your cover. On the other side, repeat the process.
It’d be best if you now had a gap across the bottom that is around 40 inches. Every 8 inches, mark where the buttonholes (on the rear side) and buttons (on the other side) will go. Sew the buttons on the fabric.
FAQ
What is included in a bedding set?
In most cases, a set of bedding includes at least three pieces: a bottom sheet that is either flat or fitted to the mattress; a top sheet that is also flat; and either a duvet or a quilt.
What is the best quality bedding material?
Egyptian cotton, linen, and silk are all considered high-quality bedding materials. Egyptian cotton is luxurious, linen is durable, comfortable, and breathable, and silk is luxurious and splendid for people with sensitive skin.
Is a duvet cover usually in a bedding set?
A duvet cover is included in a bedding set only if you buy a duvet set. You should receive both the cover and the insert.
Bottom Line
Now that you know how to make a full bedding set, you can experiment with the fabrics of your choice. It’s also a great way to avoid tossing out leftover fabric, as you can use it to make some nice pillowcases. Check out our selection of quality fabrics for your project right here!