DIY Crib Sheet: Step-by-Step Tutorial for Making Two Types of Crib Sheets

Crib sheets are a necessity when it comes to a successful nursery. And, as is the case with all things baby-related, you’ll need plenty of them.

Crib sheets

If you’re having a hard time finding crib sheets that match your nursery décor, or if you have excess fabric that you’d love to use up, one great option is to make the crib sheets yourself. It’s a simple solution, really.

 

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

This tutorial will show you how to make your own crib sheets in two different ways: (1) with French seams, and (2) with standard corners. Once you learn how easy it is, you might never buy another crib sheet again. (Bonus: This makes a great baby shower gift as well!)

DIY Level: Beginner

Materials You’ll need For the Crib Sheets:

  • 2 yards prewashed fabric of your choice (100% cotton recommended)
  • 60” to 72” of 1/4″ elastic
DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

SEWING A CRIB SHEET WITH FRENCH SEAMS

SEWING A CRIB SHEET WITH FRENCH SEAMS

French Seams Step 1: Cut fabric to size

Lay your prewashed fabric out flat. If you chose 44”-45” wide fabric, you don’t need to cut any off the width.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Measure 69” and cut straight across so you end up with a piece of prewashed fabric that is 45” (or 44”) x 69”.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

French Seams Step 2: Cut corners

Measure 8” squares out of the corners of your fabric. I used a clear quilting guide, but because my guide was only 6” wide, I had to supplement with my measuring tape for the last 2”.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Cut the 8” squares out of all four corners.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Your fabric will look something like this when you’ve cut the corners out.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

French Seams Step 3: Sew a corner seam, right sides out

With RIGHT SIDES OUT, fold a cut corner over onto itself, so the two raw edges you just cut line up together.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Still with the RIGHT SIDES OUT, sew a 1/4” seam along this cut edge.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Carefully trim 1/8” off the freshly sewn edge.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

I know it feels strange and goes against every sewing instinct to sew with right sides out on this step, but trust me. The end result is so pretty.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

French Seams Step 4: Sew the corner seam, wrong sides out

Flip the fabric over so that the WRONG SIDES ARE OUT. The seam will be inside. Again, this may feel counterintuitive, but go with it. If your fabric is stubborn at this point, feel free to press the seam in place.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Still with WRONG SIDES OUT, sew a 1/4″ seam on the outside of the first seam.

Related: Sewing Beginner? Start Out with a Small Sewing Machine

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Your corner will look something like this after your second seam. This is called a French seam – the raw edge is completely encased within the double seams. Isn’t it pretty? All tidied up.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

When you flip the fabric to be right-side out, your seam will look something like this.

French Seams Step 5: Sew all corners

Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the other three corners of your crib sheet.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

French Seams Step 6: Sew elastic casing

Fold (and press, for greatest accuracy) the raw edge of your sheet over 1/2″ all the way around.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Fold another 1/2″, so that the raw edge is completely inside the casing.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Sew as close to the edge of this second fold as possible, to close up the casing, almost all the way around the crib sheet.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Leave 2”-4” open on your casing seam. This is where the elastic will go in and come out.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

French Seams Step 7: Add elastic

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Cut 62” of 1/4” elastic.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Note: Others have suggested anywhere from 60” to 72” of elastic length. I like a snug crib sheet fit, so I recommend 62”-65”. It will be snug to put the sheet on your mattress with a 62” elastic length, but the corners will be safely taut and the sheet will fit perfectly on a standard sized crib mattress.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Use a safety pin to attach one end of the elastic to the fabric near the opening of the casing seam.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Attach a second safety pin to the other end of your elastic and begin threading it through the casing, all the way around. You might feel a bit of carpal tunnel. Just saying.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

TIP: The bigger/longer your threaded safety pin, the faster and easier this step is.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

French Seams Step 8: Sew elastic & finish off casing

Overlap the ends of your elastic by about 2”.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Sew a zigzag stitch on the overlapped elastic, stretching both sections of the elastic gently as you sew.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Pull elastic into casing, then use a straight stitch over the opening to close it off.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Congratulations! You’ve just created a lovely, customized French seam crib sheet. Isn’t it pretty, inside AND out?!

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

SEWING A CRIB SHEET WITH “REGULAR” SEAMS

Start with a piece of prewashed fabric that is 69” x 44” (or 45”). (See French Seams Step 1.)

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Crib Sheet Step 1: Cut corners

Cut 9” squares out of all four corners.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

TIP: For a time-saving option, carefully fold all four corners on top of each other and measure and cut the 9” square a single time.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Crib Sheet Step 2: Sew a corner

Starting in one corner, fold the two freshly cut 9” edges to line up with WRONG SIDES OUT.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Sew a 1/4″ seam along this edge.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Sew a zigzag stitch along the raw edge.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

(Or, if you’re lucky enough to have a Serger, do this seam-and-finish in one fell swoop.)

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Crib Sheet Step 3: Sew other three corners

Repeat step 2 for all other corners, so that all four corners are finished up before moving on.

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Crib Sheet Step 4: Fold & sew casing

Fold the raw edge of the crib sheet’s perimeter in 1/2″; press. Fold this end another 1/2″ in, so that the raw edge is encased. Start at French Seams Step 6 and continue until your “regular” seam crib sheet is complete.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

Congratulations! You’ve just sewn a custom crib sheet (or two) for a very lucky baby.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric
DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric

We hope you’ve found this tutorial helpful and that you’re able to make crib sheets that will be safe for your baby as well as complement your nursery décor.

DIY Crib Sheet Material Fabric