How to Make a Fitted Sheet

Measure the width, depth, and length of your mattress if you are sewing fitted sheets with fabric., Cut a piece of fabric based on your measurements., Prepare your corner markings., Cut out the square, and follow the lines you drew., Fold the...

18 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Measure the width

    If you are using a flat sheet, you only need to measure the depth of the mattress.
  2. Step 2: and length of your mattress if you are sewing fitted sheets with fabric.

    It should measure the width of the mattress, plus 2 x the depth, plus an additional 16 inches (20.32 cm) for seam allowances and tuck-in (8 inches on each side), and the length of the mattress, plus 2 x the depth, plus 16 inches (20.32 cm).

    Width + (2 x depth) + 16" and Length + (2 x depth)+ 16"

    Along one outer edge, measure over the depth of the mattress plus 8 inches (20.32 cm) from the corner of the fabric.

    Mark this spot.

    Measure up the depth of the mattress plus 8 inches from the marked spot.

    Put a dot at the spot.

    Draw a line connecting that dot to the mark on the edge of the sheet.

    Draw another line connecting the dot to the edge of the fabric on the other side.

    This gives you a square on the corner of the fabric. , Repeat on the other 3 corners of the fabric or sheet. , The right sides of the homemade fitted sheet should face in. ,,, You can skip this step if you are using a flat sheet. ,, Leave 1-inch (2.54 cm) wide gaps about 8 inches (20.32 cm) away from the sewn-together corners on each side of the sheet.

    This allows you to thread the elastic through to make the sheet fitted. ,, Pin 1 end of the elastic to the gap on 1 side.

    Attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic to help you push it through the hemmed edge of the sheet.

    Pull the elastic so that the sheet corner gathers around it.

    Pin the other end of the elastic to the sheet on the other end. ,,
  3. Step 3: Cut a piece of fabric based on your measurements.

  4. Step 4: Prepare your corner markings.

  5. Step 5: Cut out the square

  6. Step 6: and follow the lines you drew.

  7. Step 7: Fold the fabric

  8. Step 8: and bring the cut edges of each corner together.

  9. Step 9: Pin the cut edges together at each corner.

  10. Step 10: Make bedding by sewing the cut edges together with a .5-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance.

  11. Step 11: Continue sewing fitted sheets by folding the hems over .5 inch (1.27 cm).

  12. Step 12: Fold the hems over another .5 inch (1.27 cm)

  13. Step 13: and pin.

  14. Step 14: Sew the hems of the homemade fitted sheet.

  15. Step 15: Cut 4 pieces of elastic that measure 16-inches (40.64 cm) long.

  16. Step 16: Thread 1 piece of elastic through the hem in 1 corner of the sheet.

  17. Step 17: Sew the elastic in place on both sides of the corner.

  18. Step 18: Finish making bedding by threading the elastic through the hems on the remaining 3 corners.

Detailed Guide

If you are using a flat sheet, you only need to measure the depth of the mattress.

It should measure the width of the mattress, plus 2 x the depth, plus an additional 16 inches (20.32 cm) for seam allowances and tuck-in (8 inches on each side), and the length of the mattress, plus 2 x the depth, plus 16 inches (20.32 cm).

Width + (2 x depth) + 16" and Length + (2 x depth)+ 16"

Along one outer edge, measure over the depth of the mattress plus 8 inches (20.32 cm) from the corner of the fabric.

Mark this spot.

Measure up the depth of the mattress plus 8 inches from the marked spot.

Put a dot at the spot.

Draw a line connecting that dot to the mark on the edge of the sheet.

Draw another line connecting the dot to the edge of the fabric on the other side.

This gives you a square on the corner of the fabric. , Repeat on the other 3 corners of the fabric or sheet. , The right sides of the homemade fitted sheet should face in. ,,, You can skip this step if you are using a flat sheet. ,, Leave 1-inch (2.54 cm) wide gaps about 8 inches (20.32 cm) away from the sewn-together corners on each side of the sheet.

This allows you to thread the elastic through to make the sheet fitted. ,, Pin 1 end of the elastic to the gap on 1 side.

Attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic to help you push it through the hemmed edge of the sheet.

Pull the elastic so that the sheet corner gathers around it.

Pin the other end of the elastic to the sheet on the other end. ,,

About the Author

M

Marilyn King

Writer and educator with a focus on practical practical skills knowledge.

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