How to Make a Fitted Sheet Out of a Flat Sheet.

Mimzy lombardo
by Mimzy lombardo
4 Materials
$10
1 Hour
Easy

I use flat sheets for many things, but not for making my bed. This tutorial I'll show you how to turn an unused flat sheet into a fitted sheet.

I generally don't use flat sheets on any of the beds in my house. We use down comforters with duvet covers on our beds because they're so cozy and because they expedite the bed making process in the morning. So I usually have a stack of unused flat sheets in my laundry room and linen closet.Along with making fitted sheets out of my flat sheets, I use my flat sheets to make a number of other things... duvet covers, face masks, lining for drapes, cafe curtains, pillow cases, etc. etc. In fact, I sometimes shop thrift stores for 100% cotton flat sheets for various projects.

Step 1. Lay your flat sheet on the bed, lining up two sides with the bottom of the mattress. This way you only have to cut and hem two sides.When you place the sheet on the bed be sure to put the right side down so when you pin and sew your fitted sheet the right sides are together.

2. Pull the corner of the sheet straight out forming a right triangle and pin along the edge of the mattress from top to bottom.This doesn't need to be super snug because you'll sew elastic around the bottom edge of the sheet to snug it up and hold it on the mattress.

4. Sew a seam where you pinned.

5. Cut off the triangle of fabric outside the seam and zig zag stitch over the edge to finish the seam. Overlock(zig zag stitch) or serge the seams as this is a sheet and will see plenty of washing machine time.

6. Sew in the elastic. Pin the center of the elastic to the corner seam of the sheet. I cut my elastic 12 inches.7. Use a zig zag stitch to sew on the elastic. With the center pin holding the elastic to the corner of the sheet, pull one end of the elastic to stretch it fully and sew it to the sheet while stretched out. When you let go of the elastic it'll gather up the corner of the sheet.

Beautifully gathered corner. Repeat this process on all four corners.

You're finished...now install your new fitted sheet.

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3 of 8 questions
  • Susan Susan on Jun 12, 2021

    So, you pin one side after aligning the sheet bottom with the mattress but how do you do corners of the other side? There will lots more of the flat sheet to deal with. Thanks

  • Ticia Ticia on Jan 31, 2022

    wonder if you can do this without having a sewing machine?

  • Ticia Ticia on May 16, 2024

    What is a plasltic clipon?

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  • Yvonne Roebuck Yvonne Roebuck on Jan 13, 2024

    Flat sheet overload no more. I'm a 'show me how' girl thank you for the video.

  • Diana Diana on May 15, 2024

    I make rod pocket curtains out of flat sheets when the bed covers don't have matching curtains.


    When my fitted sheet wear out, I keep the matching top sheet to use as a backing when I hand make quilts.

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