DIY Crib Sheet Tutorial
Crib sheets are a simple and fun way to add some personality and style to your little ones nursery! Today I’m going to walk you through a step by step crib sheet tutorial.
Crib sheets were one of the very first baby items I ever made after finding out I was pregnant with my first. One of the very first items I ever sewed actually! They are so incredibly simple that even the most beginner sewer can make them!
I promise that once you start making your own you’re going to be hooked! Your baby nursery dreams will come true as you’ll be able to choose any fabric out there to match your little one’s room.
I love shopping for sweet nursery prints at fabric.com! I link to some of my current fave prints over in my April Friday faves!
They sew up very quickly. The sheet I made for this tutorial was done within about 20 minutes, start to finish.
Let’s get started!
You’ll need:
- 2 yards of fabric (I used a 45″ wide fabric. A bit wider will work, but I wouldn’t go much less than 44″ wide.)
- 75″ of elastic ( I use 3/8″ elastic, but I’ve seen these made with 1/4″. I like the durability of 3/8″)
- Thread to match your fabric
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Pen and paper
- Measuring tape
Two yards of fabric (72″) always works perfectly for me. Most fabric that you buy online or at the fabric store is between 44″-45″ wide. That is what I’m using for this tutorial. If you have a specialty fabric that is wider, I would cut It to 72″ x 45″.
1. Begin by cutting out an 8″x8″ square out of printer paper or any paper you have lying around. You don’t necessarily need a pattern, but I like to have this sitting around because I love making crib sheets.
2. Fold your fabric in half once, and then fold it in half again so you have 4 layers of fabric. Line up your 8″x8″ square pattern on the corner of the four layers of fabric with all raw edges. Be sure you don’t cut any of the folds.
3. Cut around your pattern leaving square cut outs at each corner of your fabric.
4. Head to your sewing machine. Fold each corner at the square cut out so that right sides are together. Serge or sew each corner together.
5. Next comes the hemming to create a pocket for the elastic. I use my serger and serge all the way around the edges of the sheet. Then grab your iron and fold all of your serged edges over 1/2″ and iron. OR, if you don’t have a serger, iron a 1/4″ fold around the edges of your sheet, and then fold down again to create a 1/2″ pocket around the whole sheet.
5. Use a straight stitch and stitch around the entire sheet leaving about a 1″ opening so you can threat the elastic through.
6. Grab your 75″ elastic. I use 3/8″ wide braided elastic. I like how soft braided elastic is. I also think 3/8″ is a bit more sturdy than 1/4″ and lasts a bit longer, but you can use whatever elastic you have on hand. Attach the end of your elastic to a big safety-pin and thread it through the opening you left and all the way around the sheet. Your fabric will be quite bunchy by the time you reach the end other side with your safety-pin.
7. Once your elastic is threaded all the way through, sew the ends of the elastic together. I run my serger over the ends a few times for a nice, secure finish.
8. Top stitch the 1″ opening you left open for the elastic and you’re done!
Head to the nursery and give your sweet new crib sheet a try!
Be sure to head over to my soft baby blocks tutorial for a fun and easy way to use up your little 8×8″ squares from all of the crib sheets you’re making!
