Well I got quite a few people asking if the crib sheets were easy to make, & yes they are! The longest part is the elastic, the rest only takes a few minutes. Anyways I have made this for a while & used a few different patterns, but none of them have good pictures!!! So I decided once again that I would make my own tutorial to share with everyone! Here ya go…
CRIB/ TODDLER BED SHEET TUTORIAL…
They are SUPER easy to make & a HUGE money saver, you can even make them out of old sheets from the thrift store! Some patterns call for a little less fabric, but I like this sizing because it fits over the mattress VERY well with the extra on the back, & I have never had any of them come off my sons bed. The standard US crib mattress is approx. (they all vary a little bit) 51 5/8″ X 27 1/4″ and range from 4″-6.5″ thick. Because of the way this pattern is designed it will fit mattresses that are a little bigger/thicker or a little smaller/thinner. If the sheet is a little loose on your mattress you can fix this on the next one you make by using the same length of elastic but making it stretch a few inches farther when you sew it on… this should tighten it nicely.
You need 2 yards of woven (no stretch) PRE-WASHED fabric. knits stretch all over, but not in the seams so they require different measurements
4 12″ pieces of 1/4″ or 3/8″ elastic
Scissors or Rotary cutter
Sewing Machine
Matching thread…
First you want to cut your fabric to be 45″ X 69″ (45″ X 70″ if you want to hem the ends) piece of Fabric. This MUST be pre-washed, otherwise the first time it is washed it will never fit the mattress as well again!
Next if you want to just serge or zig zag the raw edges then you just do that.
This is what you end up with…
If you want to hem the raw edges then cut it 70″ instead & on each end fold it under 1/4″ & then again another 1/4″ to hide the raw edge & sew it down!
Then you take your big rectangle that you now have & you cut 8″x8″ squares out of each of the 4 corners. I have found the easiest way to do this is to fold the fabric in half so your newly finished edges meet. Then take the edge that we haven’t done anything to & fold it over to the matching edge… this quarters it & puts all 4 corners in the same place. Here are the pics…
Lay your 8″ by 8″ template down & cut it out of a.. 4 layers. You can also do it one corner at a time.
This is what you’ve got…
Then with the WRONG side of your fabric facing up you want to match to two side that are now left from where you cut the square out together & sew (I use 3/8″ seams, its up to you!) Do this to all 4 corners.
When you look at the right side of the fabric it should look like this…
Next is the elastic! Fold the elastic in half & mark the center… now line this up with the edge of the seam you just made (again on the out side of the fabric) & pin in place. Then you want to mark out 12″ from both sides of that point & pin the lose ends of the elastic to the sheet.
When you have the middle & both ends pinned in place it should look something like this…
Now with your machine set to zigzag… I found the width 5-7 works best depending on the with of your elastic. I also set my stitch length to 4, or the longest or ‘basting’ stitch that your machine has. Now place your starting end under the needle & lower the pressure foot, you want to make a few stitches & back stitch or two to make sure it is secured & stop with the needle in the down position. Now you want to grab the next pin & stretch it so the fabric is tight… holding both the back & front of the fabric, pull it through as sew… once you needle gets to the next pin, grab the last pin & repeat, just make sure to back stitch it to secure the end. Again this is done to all 4 corners & then you are done!
This is what the corners should look like when your done…
And when on the mattress!!!
UPDATE: I have had a lot of interest from mamas in other countries & wanted to list the metric measurements to help answer some of your questions! The standard US crib mattress (what this is made for) is approx. 130cm X 69cm & can range from 10-16cm deep. Even if yours is a little bigger or smaller in either direction these should still fit! If the sheet is a little loose to your liking then stretch your elastic a little farther next time to tighten it.
Here are the metric conversions…
You will want to purchase 1 3/4 meters of fabric You will want your fabric to be 114cm X 175cm
You will want 4 pieces of 31cm long 6-10mm wide elastic.
The squares you cut out of the 4 corners will be 20cm x 20cm.
196 Responses
rebekah
hello! if the crib mattress is 27 1/2″ x 52″ but only 3 1/2″ think, should i modify the measurements?
Kymy
That is a few inches thinner then most which are normally closer to 5. You could either make it 2″ smaller in each direction or just stretch the elastic longer so that it pulls tighter underneath making it fit on top.
Michelle
Thank you so much! I’ve been wanting to start sewing. I have two boys – almost 3 yrs and 11 months. In eigth grade, close to 20 yrs ago, I had an introduction to sewing but never made anything. This was my first project! I used my moms machine that is well over 30 yrs old – worked perfectly. It took me a long time to make! But, I’m going to make a fitted top sheet next! Your instructions with the pictures were wonderful!!! Thank you! I look forward to exploring your site more.
whitney tollison
I love that you post this and was wondering how I could change it a little! I got three daughters which love the feel of sateen fabric! The older ones I can buy sheets and what not for them! I have made simple things like pillows and curtains for them! My question is I have sateen fabric to make a fitted sheet and other bedding but don’t know if I need to wash it first, maybe cut a little different!? Any advise on what to do?
Kymy
You should really have to do anything different! You will just want to use a warm iron (make sure it’s not to hot!) to press your hem & pins to hold it in place before sewing the hem so the fabric doesn’t slide around, otherwise everything is done the same! I ALWAYS pre-wash my fabric before sewing it, no matter what kind it is! Good luck.
whitney tollison
That was great. Thank you so much! I was a little worried that I might mess up, but thanks to you keeping it simple and pictures was great! Really like the one with little man to cute!
Lisa
I really want to try and make these but the measurements of the cot matress are 1300mm X 690mm X 125mm. How should I adjust the pattern?
Kymy
That is almost the exact same sized standard crib mattress that the tutorial is made for!!! Yours is a little thinner so if you want you can make it 1 inch shorter in each direction but use the same size square cuts for the corners. If you don’t like working in inches there are free measurement converters online. Good luck!
Kandy
I made a fitted crib sheet out of some stretchy knit material my mom had 25 years ago for my son from a magazine-style book I had bought. I lost the book, but I would love to make moreof these type of fitted crib sheets. Do you have the correct amounts of fabric needed to make one like that. I sure hope so. Here in the midwest it was nice to have a fabric that was a bit warmer on those cold winter nights. Thanks for the site and hopefully for the right dimensions.
Kymy
If knits stretch both ways make it 2″ shorter in each direction & use 7.5″ squares. If the knit only stretches in one direction cut that direction the same as the woven & the other 2″ shorter. I hope this makes sense, good luck!
Kandy
Kymy Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it.
Megan
I bought a couch and it has lighter cushions than I thought = my dogs are going to destroy them even though I added the fabric protection. So, I’m thinking about trying to cover them with something that I can remove and wash. This sheet will work fine with two of the cushions but not my last one because my last one is not perfectly square there is a section that sticks out. I can’t figure out how to do this – here are the measurements – the short ends of the rectangle are 35 and 42 inches. One long side of the rectangle is 62 inches – the tricky long side = 11 inches then it comes in 7 inches and the final side is 51 inches. I hope this makes sense – I’m not sure how to go around the part the sticks out. Any ideas?
Kimberly Johnson
I have made a few of these, and also your pack n play sheets. They are a huge money saver for me. Do you have the size of a top sheet or no? I wanted to make my friend son a set for his bed, he 4 almost 5, but do not like the ones you can find in stores. I seen them online, just can’t find out how to make them. Thanks.
Kymy
I haven’t got it finished yet, but I actually have a great tutorial in the works for the semi-fitted top sheets I have made & posted a few times, hopefully later this month I will get it posted, I don’t have the measurements off hand though.
Linda
How’s that tutorial coming? 🙂
Brandi
I love this tutorial…. it is great! I have used it several times to make sheets for friends and family.
Denise in Georgia
New nonnie again!! in September 2010. Your tutorial makes this seem so easy. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks a bundle!!
Marbree
Do you leave the selvages attached or cut them off? You only talk about hemming/serging the raw ends.
I already cut off the selvages from my fabric, should I hem the long sides too to keep it from unraveling? (I don’t own a serger.) Will that make my sheet too narrow?
Thanks.
Kymy
Yes I just leave the selvages, it gives me a little extra fabric to wrap around the mattress, if you gut them off then you need to finish the edges because they are now raw edges. I don’t think they will be too narrow, just a bit more narrow, I would try using a narrow hem if possible.
laura
Thank you for these simple, easy to follow directions with great photos!!! These sheets came out perfect and I had so much fun making a Cars sheet for my son I whipped up a princess one for my daughter in no time!!!
Jennifer
I googled “how to make a crib sheet” and this was the first link I checked out. It’s exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much. I will definitely be back to peruse your entire site.
Brooke
I would like to make fleece crib sheets for winter, would I need to go about this differently?
Kymy
Follow the knit instructions. Also make sure it fits the mattress tightly as it is a bulky fabric & could cause safety issues if not properly fitted. I would test it in cheap fleece first to make sure it fits right.
Jennifer
I just made a flannel crib sheet out of some extra plush flannel and it turned out great. I would shy away from using fleece unless the child is over 10 months old and crawling, just seems too risky to me.
Brooke
hi- I did not see where the knit instructions are?….just that you mentioned that we need diff. measurements for a knit fabric……am I missing them somewhere on this page? sorry to bug!
Kymy
Nope. That’s the only difference!
Kymy
Nope, that’s the only difference!
Margaret oconnor
I made cot sheets for my grandsons with embroidered Australian animals on them using a slightly different method. They worked fine but this seems much clearer. Thanks so much for sharing this. I have another 2 grandchildren on the way and my daughter loves 1000 thread sheets so I’ll be making a couple of sets for the new baby. Thanks again.
Susan Kim
Attempting to make fitted sheet for a friend. Her crib mattress measures at 55″ x 28″ x 3.25″. Please recommend fabric measurements and corner squares that would best fit this mattress. Thank you.
Kymy
That is about 2″ thinner then the standard mattress so I would use the same size corner cut out but start with a piece of fabric that is 2″ smaller in each direction then the original measurements call for.
Helen Ross
I think your tutorial is EXCELLENT. I am a very visual learner. I am going to make this for my 4 year grandson. He is in a toddle bed, made by his daddy . These use a crib size mattress. I made quilts for the first two grandsons using the same John Deere Fabric.
My daughter just wants the elastic on the corners.
thanks again
Renee
I want to sew a change table fitted sheet for my grandchild that is 39″ long, 17.5″ wide and 3 1/2″ deep. Can you please help me with measurrements and size of square to cut out on the corners.
Thank you so much!
Renee
Kymy
Is it a curved pad or flat?
Renee
It is a flat foamy. I don’t have the mattress here with me, so want to be very careful with the measurements so it will fit ok.
Thanks again,
Renee
Kymy
Okay you will want to start with a piece of fabric 49″ long X 27.5″ wide & you will cut out 5″ corners. The elastic measurements for the pack n play sheet should work for this.
Renee
Thank you for the measurements! Another question: my sewing machine is very basic, so I want to just make a casing to thread the elastic through the whole outer edge. In this case, do you know what the elastic measurement would be?
Thanks,
Renee
Kymy
You will need to make it 2″ bigger in each direction then so you have an extra 1″ of fabric to fold over 1/2″ & then again 1/2″ to make the casing & sew it down. Then using 1/4″ elastic I would use 42″ you may find the elastic needs adjusting but I think this should work!
Renee
OK. So 42″ of elastic would be approximately enough to stretch all around?
Much appreciation for your help.
Renee
Just curious how you came up with the 42″ measurement? Also, If I tried the method where you sew the elastic directly all around the edge,( instead of just on the ends), how would you know how much elastic to use?
Much appreciation for all you great help,
Kymy
I would use 42″ either way. It will be about 48″ around when you sew your corners together & create your casing (OR if you don’t cut it bigger & just finish the raw edges & sew it with the zigzag) You want it to be a little smaller so that it pulls the fabric tight so I honestly just guessed! As long as your 42″ of elastic stretches to 48-50″ before sewing it on you should be fine!
Annah
Thank you for the wonderful tutorial! I am so excited to try making a crib sheet. My own fitted flannel sheet just got a huge hole in it so I was wondering what I could do with the flat sheet and its going to become a crib sheet. Flannel crib sheets are so hard to come. You make it look so easy, we’ll see. Thanks again!
Renee
I am also excited to start my project, and with confidence due to all the excellent help and suggestions you gave me yesterday!
Thanks for all the help!
Renee
I am up to the elastic part. (the mattress measures 39″ X 17.5″) The bottom edge of my sheet now measures 40″ on each long side and 18.5″ on each short side ( that’s a circumference all around the bottom of 117″) . I am going to put a casing for the elastic, and I can’t see how a 42″ would be enough elastic. You said it would be about 48″ around. I hope I didn’t make a mistake. I cut the squares 5.5″.
Please help!
Thanks
Kymy
Yeah my math was way off, I am prego & my brain just doesn’t work always!!! The 48″ was the wrong measurement but it wasn’t the circumference around the edge, but the perimeter of the fabric on the back of the pad after the elastic is in & then you want the elastic a little shorter so it pulls it tight. It should have been 91″ (the sheet should wrap under about 3″ish on the bottom). So I would use 85″ of elastic. Honestly you may have to play with it a little bit but that should so it. Also I forgot to mention when adding the extra 1″ you needed to cut the corners bigger at 6″ each because all of the fabric was for the edges. BUT as long as the elastic is tight enough it shouldn’t be an issue!
Renee
That makes more sense, I get prego brain myself when it comes to math, even though i’m not even prego!!I Thanks again, I think I can handle this project now, and the next one will be a breeze!
Sas
Hi
Sorry to make more work for you when you could be adding more cool stuff to your site.
My boys mattress is 140cm x 70cm x 10cm. Not sure if it’s too long for the measurements on your site. If so would you please send the altered measurements as I have some wonderful fabric I’m desperate to try.
Thanks
Sas
Kymy
nope it is just about identical to the converted inch measurements that I used! It may be a little thinner, so you can make it 1″ smaller in each direction to make it a bit more fitted.
Dee
I can’t wait to try this. I have some old sheets and a fabric shower curtain that I’m going to make some sheets out of.
Thanks so much for this tut.
Renee
I finished the change table sheets, and they turned out beautiful! Now I will mail them and see if they actually fit the pad.
Can’t thank you enough for following up with all my questions. If I just tried it on my own, it would definitely not have worked out to the proper dimensions.
Thank You
Kelsey Crabtree
Thanks! I adjusted the measurements a little smaller and made a minky sheet. My son loves it and it’s much warmer.
Kymy
Sweet! Yes Minky is a knit so it needs to be a little smaller, but minky sheets are heavenly!
Kim
Thankyou so much. I was wondering how I would do the elastic part and you’ve figured it out for me. Terrific tutorial. Thanks again!!!
Heather
When I bought fabric to make sheets (I hadn’t seen your blog yet). I told them that I wanted enough fabric to make toddler fitted sheets. They only gave me about 43 3/4″ by 55″. You require 45″ x 67″. Can I still use your concept, but make the cutouts in the corners smaller? Please let me know.
Thanks so much!!
Heather
Kymy
The width is fine, but they gave you 1.5 yards & you need too. If it had been a few inches it could have worked, but that’s not even long enough to cover the length of the mattress 🙁 so it simply isn’t going to work. 1 piece of advice… many of the people at the fabric stores don’t know a ton of this stuff off hand with out a pattern!!!! You could make a pack n play sheet with it though? Sorry about that!
Heather
I have a different piece of fabric that they had cut for the flat sheet. It measures 45″ x 60″. Will I be able to make this one work for a fitted sheet? Or should I just use it for something else and go back and get the proper measured lengths??
Thanks so much,
Heather
Kymy
Has it been washed yet? If not I would go back & get the correct lengths. You can use that for the flat sheet though… just hem the top edge & do the bottom edge like it calls for in the fitted sheet tutorial & then you have a semi fitted flat sheet :). I honestly think the smallest you could get away with is 65″ with 6″ squares.
Christine
What measurements do you use for a flat sheet for a toddler bed? Do you make a wider hem at the top? Thank you!
Kymy
I normally cut my sheet 16″ shorter so 44″ X 53″. Then I cut a coordinating piece of fabric that is 12″… I fold this in half wrong sides together using a 1/4″ seam allowance & attach it to the top of the sheet and top stitch the seam down from the right side of the fabric (when you put it on the bed with the ‘wrong side’ up & then fold it over you will see the nice pretty right side of the fabric :). Then I hem the 3 raw edges with a narrow hem! You end up with a sheet that is about 43″ X 58″ so it tucks under the bed nicely!
Laura Wentworth
Hi there: my daughter wants me to make a sheet for her ‘mini-crib’. The measurements are 24″ wide by 38″ long by 3″ deep. I’m so confused! I also need some help figuring out the corner cut-outs and elastic. Thanks for your help!!
Kymy
Cut your fabric 34″ X 48″ & cut 5.5″ squares out of the corners 🙂
June Schumacher
Just wanted to thank you for the great directions for the toddler bed sheet, very easy to follow and pictures were a help. Made a set for my grandson. Bought twin sheets and cut them down to make a fitted and a top sheet. Will use extra material for patch work quilts. Thanks again.
nicoleannes
Great tutorial. I’m anxious to try it for some sheets for my grandson due to arrive in about a month.
brandy
This looks like it will be fun! I’m off to the fabric store to get Cars material and can’t wait to see how this turns out. Thanks so much:)
Katie
Hi – I am trying to make fitted sheets for bunk beds in our camper. The mattress size is 32 in wide x 74 in long x 6 in deep. What would be the deminsion for cutting and for the corners??? Thanks so much – you saving me a ton!!
Kymy
Katie you will need wider fabric for this, a flat sheet would work best. You will want to cut it to 56″ X 90″ & cut out 7″ squares… the elastic you will need to play with but I would just start 13″ from one corner & pull & attach it as tight as you can until you are 13″ on the other side… the tighter you pull it the better it will fit. I hope this helps.
LeeAnn
I had a few questions. I want to make the sheets made out of flannel. I am finding that often the flannel is only 42 or 43 inches wide. Your directions call for 45 inches wide. Am I looking in the wrong places for the flannel? Where do you go to buy. I am also looking for the 100% cotton flannel.
Thanks,
LeeAnn
Kymy
Honestly the measurements are very forgiving :). I just use what ever width the flannel is as long as it is over 40″. I hope that helps!
Kristin
Thank you soo much for this tutorial! I was nervous, I really was but I actually made a crib sheet and its just perfect! No more hunting down that perfect crib sheet, now I just pick whatever fabric I want or even find a twin size sheet set and make my own! You inspired me to keep going. I bought a twin sheet set plus one twin flat sheet and made 2 throw pillows, two long curtain panels with the accent border on the bottom of each panel, a crib sheet and a flat, fitted toddler sheet! Oh, plus the crib skirt and all of that cost… $25!!! We love it and I cant wait to make more! The only thing is with the dimensions listed, my first attempt, the sheet was very, very loose so I just added an extra inch of seam and then used 14 inches of elastic and pulled very tight. Perfect fit now! 😀 Thank so much!
Nelani
Hi! Thanks so much for this tutorial.. It’s so hard to find cute sheets for a reasonable price.. Can’t wait to make my own now and your tutorial is perfect. Quick question I have a slightly wider mattress.. Measures 130 cm x 75cm x 14 cm.. Do I need to adjust the fabric? Sorry for the metric measurements (writing from Australia!) thanks
Kymy
Don’t worry about it I have a lot of Canadian, Australian and other international readers that use the metric system! No, I think they should still fit fine! The elastic pulled tight makes it pretty forgiving if the mattress is just a tad bigger or thicker, it’s more of an issue if it is smaller or thinner then average.
Laurie Johns
I found that character fabric is way too expensive so I go to resale shops and buy regular twin flat sheets with whatever disney character on it that I want and I use them instead of paying 10.00 a yard for the fabric.
Kymy
Yes larger sheets make great smaller sheets!!! Luckily around here you can get character fabric for $5 or less a yard if you watch sales at the fabric stores. I also always check the clearance sheets at walmart & target because you can often get the large sheets new for a decent price anyway. I think you can get 3 toddler sheets out of 1 full flat sheet? You would want to check the math on that, but I know it is at least 2 & I have found them on clearance for $8 or less.
Nelani
Hi tried to leave a comment via my mobile but it doesn’t appear to have worked.. but apologies if you get two of the same comments from me. thanks so much for the tutorial – my mattress is slightly wider (measures 130cm x 75cm x14cm) – do you think I need to make any adjustments? thanks!!
Kymy
No, I think they should still fit fine! The elastic pulled tight makes it pretty forgiving if the mattress is just a tad bigger or thicker, it’s more of an issue if it is smaller or thinner then average.
megan
I just made my first crib sheet! The only problem I had was the fact that the fabric store didn’t quite cut straight lines like I thought they had. I’m also pretty sure the fabric shrunk in the wash. Before I started, I had to add on a few inches of fabric to one end. As soon as I got started on the directions provided, it was smooth sailing. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Jessica
My son has been asking for some new sheets for quite awhile. I have been hesitant to buy him any since his interests change daily and the availability and cost of toddler sheets is horrible. Now I can’t wait to get started on a Spiderman and Ironman set. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Tana
I couldn’t find an alphabet crib sheet anywhere, so I bought some fabric on ebay, found your tutorial, and just finished making my own. Your instructions made it super easy and it fits great! Now my alphabet-themed nursery is complete thanks to your help!
Dena Goans
How much fabric do I buy of cotton Knit fabric? What are the measurement of the cut out?Thank You very very much for this.
Kymy
You will still want 2 yards, you just need to cut it about 2″ shorter in each direction & use 7″ corner cut outs instead.
Kate Penna
I want to make some sheets for the co-sleeper cot I just bought. I’ve found some organic interlock jersey fabric and wondered if I could make 3 sheets from a 100cm x 150cm piece for a mattress which measures 90cmx40cmx4cm? Also, what size would you recommend the cut out to be? Thanks for sharing your tutorial, it’s great 🙂
Kymy
It all depends on what size the mattress is.
andra
would it work the same way if i wanted to use jersey knit fabric?
Kymy
Yes, just follow the size adjustments for knit fabrics.