Free Fitted Crib Sheet Pattern - How To Make It Fit Your Crib Mattress

The crib sheets I make fit the "standard" crib mattress here in Canada. But you could make the sheets custom fit for your mattress.

I just measured Wyatt's mattress and it is 27.5 x 52.5 inches. It is 5.5 inches in height. Remember, the height is KEY in getting the snug fit. My key in this case was 8.75 inches... here is the math:

8.75 - 5.5 = 3.25 the material UNDER THE MATTRESS. Gotta stay put somehow!

3.25 - 0.75(seam allowance) = 2.5 inches ... The actual fabric on the underside of mattress.

Here is how I figured out how much pre-washed and shrunk fabric I needed for the overall sizing:

27.5 + 8.75 + 8.75 = 45 inches

52.5 + 8.75 + 8.75 = 70 inches

So the formula for you is:

(mattress height)+(how much fabric you want under mattress so it stays put)+(your seam allowance)= Squares at corner you cut.

Then:

(Your mattress width on top)+ "the square" = the width of fabric AFTER IT WAS WASHED AND DRIED.

(Your mattress length on top)+"the square" = the length of fabric AFTER IT WAS WASHED AND DRIED.

And that's your crib sheet!

Happy sewing!

Momma Melissa

Free Fitted Crib Sheet Pattern

Well, I posted my first ebay auction to benefit our little family. It's for a fitted crib sheet. They are sturdy... I still use the ones I made 5 years ago for my first child. Good thing they are blue, eh Wyatt? :)

If you want a fitted crib sheet that fits, looks beautiful, and is easier to put on than the department store crib sheets, please consider clicking on this eBay link. They make great gifts too! I put as much care and attention in their creation as I do when I make them for Wyatt.

If you sew, here is the pattern I use. It is a combination of several patterns I've found on the web. I love making them and they are so easy to do!

Materials: 2 yards of cotton or cotton blend woven fabric. I like to use flannelet; it's so soft on a little baby's skin. One spool of good quality polyester thread in co-ordinating color. 2 yards of 1/4 inch elastic. A cutting mat, large quilting square ruler and 90 degree angle ruler are nice to have.
Directions:

1. Wash fabric and dry in dryer to pre-shrink it.
2. Fold right sides together so the length is 2 yards by 22 1/2 inches approx. Iron or smooth with hands.
3. Cut one end of the fabric to create a straight edge. Measure 70 inches along the folded edge, mark with a pencil and cut a straight edge. You now have a rectangle 70" x 45" approx.
4. To form the mattress pockets, cut a 8 3/4 inch square from both the top left and right corners of the folded fabric. You will have 4 surplus pieces of fabric. CAUTION: Don't cut these on the folded edge!!!!
5. With right sides together, match up the cut edge of each square cut from the fabric and sew with a straight stitch with a 3/4 inch seam allowance. This forms the mattress pocket. I then do a zigzag stitch along this edge to over lock the material, keeping it from fraying. Do this to all four corners of the sheet.
6. Turn up the edge 1/4 inch all around the sheet and sew. I usually do a zigzag stitch here.
7. Turn the sheet so the wrong side is facing you. On the shorter side of this rectangle, stay stitch the end of one elastic approx. 10 inches from the corner seam and about 1/4 inch from the edge. Stretch the elastic taunt and zigzag stitch it to fabric, making sure the needle catches the elastic. Sew all along the long side of the rectangle, around the corner and stop about 10 inches from that corner's seam. Stay stitch the end of the elastic and snip. Repeat this step along the other side of the sheet.
8. Trim all long threads.

That's it! Try it on your crib and admire your handy work. I don't sew the elastic all the way around because I like to have some way to tell which edge is the long side and which is the short side. Plus they fold neater this way.

Have fun! :)