Things You'll Need
Measuring tape
Extra-wide fabric
3/8-inch elastic
Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
Sewing machine
Making round bedding requires a shift in your thinking, from taking measurements to cutting the fabric. The actual sewing is fairly simple since you'll just make a casing for a fitted sheet or hem a flat sheet, but the size of the fabric might make it somewhat difficult to handle. With time and a little patience, you can create round bedding that fits well and looks spectacular. You'll save a significant amount of money over purchasing custom-made round sheets too.
Making a Round Fitted Sheet
Step 1
Measure across the bed to determine its diameter. A standard round king size bed is 84 inches, or seven feet, in diameter. Measure the mattress depth and multiply by two.
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Step 2
Add the bed's diameter and depth measurements plus four inches for a casing for the elastic.
Step 3
Use the measurement in step 2 to determine the fabric width needed.
Step 4
Divide the measurement in step 2 by 36 inches to determine the number of yards of fabric needed.
Step 5
Purchase sufficient fabric to meet the width measurement and yardage requirement. You'll need to purchase extra-wide fabric to avoid seaming. Some retailers offer percale sheeting fabric in widths up to 120 inches. (See Resources.)
Step 6
Pre-shrink the fabric by washing and drying it. Press out the wrinkles.
Step 7
Lay the fabric out on a flat surface. When working with extra-wide fabric, you might find it necessary to lay the fabric on the floor. Weight the fabric with heavy objects such as cans of food, sewing weights or 5-lb. dumbbells.
Step 8
Measure the fabric to find its center, both lengthwise and width-wise. Mark the center with a quilter's pencil.
Step 9
Cut a piece of string or yarn that's 1/2 the width/length measurement plus one inch. Tie one end of the string or yarn to the quilter's pencil.
Step 10
Fasten the other end of the string or yarn to the center of the fabric with a small safety pin.
Step 11
Mark the fabric for cutting. Stretch the string or yarn until it's taut, and draw a circle on the fabric with the quilter's pencil. Remove the pin.
Step 12
Cut the fabric along the mark you made.
Step 13
Press under 1/2 inch along the edge; then press under 1-1/2 inches.
Step 14
Sew along the pressed edge. Leave an opening about two incjes long to insert the elastic.
Step 15
Attach the elastic to a small safety pin and insert the pinned elastic into the opening in the casing. .
Step 16
Holding the free end of the elastic to prevent it from slipping, and move the pinned end of the elastic through the casing until it emerges from the opening.
Step 17
Stitch the ends of the elastic together. Remove the pin, and stitch the opening of the casing closed.
Making a Round Flat Sheet
Step 1
Use the bed's diameter and depth measurements from section 1, step 1, and add 20 inches.
Step 2
Purchase, prepare, mark and cut the fabric the same as for the fitted sheet, being careful to use the new measurement.
Step 3
Hem the flat sheet. Press under 1/2 inches, and press under 3-1/2 inches all around the edge. Sew the pressed edge.
Tip
To calculate the amount of 3/8-inch elastic needed for a fitted sheet, find the circumference of your sheet. Add the diameter plus depth measurement and multiply by 3.14, or pi. Since the elastic stretches, you'll need only about 3/4 as much as the circumference. If your bed is larger than the standard king size, and 120-incj fabric is too narrow to make a sheet, cut the largest circle possible from your fabric. Cut straight strips of fabric that are wide enough to make up the difference in width, plus an inch for seaming. Sew the strips together, and sew the pieced strip to the outer edge of the circle with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. You can make a decorative border this way, with contrasting or printed fabric, or use the same fabric as the rest of the sheet.
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