Next up in the crib bedding is the bedskirt.
I'll give you the step-by-step instructions on how to make a skirt similar to the one above, but also give you the directions to alter it to your preference, i.e. - only one fabric.
Materials needed:
-Muslin
-Fabric
-Upholstery Thread (optional for gathering)
-Coordinating Thread
1. Cut a piece of muslin 1" larger than your crib platform. Standard size is 28 1/2" x 53", so you would need a piece 29 1/2" x 54". I got mine from an old bed skirt I had.
2. Decide how long you want your bedskirt to be. Let's say you are only using one fabric and you want a 14" ruffle. Add 1 1/2" for seam allowances and hem, and you come up with 15 1/2". You are going to cut (8) 15 1/2" x 45" (width of fabric) pieces...1 for each of the shorter sides and 3 for each of the longer sides, so you need 3 1/2 yds of fabric. If you want a 19" skirt, multiply 20.5 x 8 = 164", divide by 36 and you need about 4 2/3 yd.
For this bedskirt, it was going to be 13" including the trim, so with seam allowances and everything I cut the following:
Red - (3) 11 1/2" x 14 1/2 ", (2) 28" x 11 1/2"
Light Blue - (2) 11 1/2" x 14 1/2", (2) 28" x 11 1/2"
Green (2) 11 1/2" x 14 1/2", (3) 28" x 11 1/2"
Dark Blue (1) 11 1/2" x 14 1/2", (3) 28" x 11 1/2"
Then I laid it out in the pattern around the muslin.
Sew the pieces RST so you have one piece for each side.
3. For the trim I cut (10) 4" strips out of the dark blue. I sewed them RST along the short raw edges to make one VERY long strip (450"). Finish the seams using either a serger or zig-zag stitch. Press seams open. Working with one side at a time, sew trim and side piece RST.
When you get to the end of the side piece, cut off the excess trim and continue on to the other three pieces, sewing the trim to those in the same manner.
Finish seams and press.
4. Hem bottom of skirt (in this case the long edge of the trim) by folding edge 1/2" towards the wrong side of the fabric and press. Fold another 1/2" and press, then stitch. Hem the sides the same way. Repeat for all four side pieces.
5. Now we need to gather each of the side pieces. I learned a really cool technique using upholstery thread from a
friend. It is AWESOME!!!! Cut a piece of upholstery thread several inches longer than each side piece. Lay thread on top of remaining raw edge. Stitch over it using a wide zig-zag stitch. My upholstery thread is the white thread underneath the blue zig-zag stitching.
Grab one end of the upholstery thread and slide your fabric along it to gather. Hold on to the other end of the upholstery thread as well so you don't pull it out.
WAY faster than using a basting stitch, and pulling on the bobbin thread to gather, but if you prefer that method, go right ahead. Arrange your gathers so they are even, then pin to the appropriate side of the muslin.
Note: Before I start gathering I divide my piece into fourths and mark with pins. I do the same for the muslin. Then when I'm pinning the gathers to the muslin, I line up those pins. It helps me gather evenly.Now you can pull the upholstery thread completely out, and stitch the gathers down using a 1/2" seam. Finish seam and press. Repeat on the other three sides, and you are done!
For the rest of the crib bedding tutorials, click below:
Valance
Blackout Drapes
Appliqued Throw Pillow
Crib Bumper
All-Star Baby Quilt
Diaper Stacker
-3.jpg)
