Crib Sheets - A how-to guide

I have been so busy lately that I was elated to get back to my sewing machine this week!  I still have a lot of things to get done and this little guy will be here in no time!  On to my next project, crib sheets!

Materials needed:

     - 2 yards of 45" fabric - WASHED (per sheet)
     - two 23" lengths 1/4" elastic (per sheet)
     - thread
     - sewing machine
     - iron (not required, but makes it a lot easier)

Step 1: I have mentioned this before, but always make sure to wash your fabric before starting a project as it will shrink.  Most online tutorials will tell you to start with a certain size fabric and give instruction based off of that.  The truth is, every fabric will shrink differently (mine was only 43" wide after washing.)  I suggest you start with 2 yard lengths to give yourself a few inches of wiggle room.  You may also want to iron your fabric if it comes out of the dryer wrinkly.

Step 2: Fold fabric in half on long end and pin ends together.  Then fold in half again so all four original corners are together.  Make sure you line up by the edge of the fabric and NOT the corners as they may not match exactly.

Step 3: Measure 23" from the fold (the long side) and mark the fabric.  Measure 14" from the fold (the short side) and mark the fabric.  I measured in 2 places to make drawing a cutting line easier.  Cut along the line and discard the small pieces.

 

  

Step 4: Unfold your fabric.  We are going to use a double seam in the corners so they won't fray.  Line up the edges of each corner with the "good" side out.  Sew a 1/4" seam.  Invert the seam so the good side is in and you have a clean seam on the outside.  Sew another seam, 3/8". This will hide the raw edges from the first seam.  Do this on all 4 corners.

   

Step 5: You will notice as you are sewing the corner seams that the bottoms do not match up.  You will need to trim the short edges of the sheet to match up with the long edges.

Step 6: Press a 1/4" hem along all edges.  Then press another hem 1/2-3/4" and pin in place.  Once again, this will hide all raw edges to eliminate fraying.

Step 7: Mark a 1" opening starting 8 1/2" from the corners on the long edges (4 total openings.)  These will be used to string the elastic through the short ends.

Step 8: Sew the hem closed, making sure to leave the elastic opening unsewn. also make sure you sew far enough from the sheet edge to secure down the smaller 1/4" fold.

Step 9: Insert elastic into opening with a safety pin.  This is and easy way to thread anything in a smaller space.  Before you get it all the way through you will need to sew down one end near the first opening.  You can either leave the piece sticking out (as pictured) or carefully insert the end into the opening and secure down with several stitches.  Finish threading the elastic and sew the other end near the opposite opening.  Repeat this process for the other side.

Step 10: make sure to sew up each of the openings so nothing has an opportunity to fray.  That's it, you're done! 

Looks great!  I am making a total of 6 sheets.  While this may seem like a lot, I am planning on keeping them for a second baby someday and I don't want to have to worry about finding the same fabric to make more (which would be impossible.)  This way I will have plenty of extras in case we have to throw 1 or 2 out. 

The next project on my radar is the crib skirt!  Hopefully I will be able to start on that in the next couple weeks, I just need to decide on a style.  Any of you have a preference or pleats or no pleats?

Well, I hope this was helpful to my crafty friends out there.  Happy Sewing!