Mattress, Pillow & Sheets Tutorial

I wanted to re-post a tutorial on making mattresses and pillows (for doll beds and cribs).  This technique can be used for any craft....here is the formula I follow:

MATTRESS

Measure your "bed" length and width EXACTLY.

Add 1" to length measurement (for 1/2" seam allowance on each side).

Add 1" to width measurement (for 1/2" seam allowance on each side).

Determine "height" you want your mattress to be.

Add 1" to height measurement (for 1/2" seam allowance on each side).

YOU WILL NEED:

2 PIECES CUT @ length x width measurement = top and bottom of mattress

2 PIECES CUT @ length x height measurement = long sides of mattress

2 PIECES CUT @ width x height measurement = short sides (ends) of mattress

(I used striped cotton pillow ticking fabric.)

10 small buttons

neutral color thread

hand sewing needle

scissors

sewing machine

pins

fiber fill for stuffing

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CHEAT SHEET

(These are measurements already done for you for the following items:)

For My Doll Bed:             http://piecesforreese.blogspot.com/search/label/bed

                                     2 @ 22" long x 13.5" wide (top & bottom)

                                     2 @ 22" long x 2.5" high (long sides)

                                     2 @ 13.5 long x 2.5" high (short ends)

For My Baby Doll Crib:     http://piecesforreese.blogspot.com/search/label/crib

                                     2 @ 24.5" long x 13.25" wide (top & bottom)

                                     2 @ 24.5" long x 3.5" high (long sides)

                                     2 @ 13.25" long x 3.5" high (short ends)

For Ana's Farmhouse Doll Bed: ( http://ana-white.com/2010/11/another-farmhouse-bed.html )                     
                                    2 @ 20" long x 15" wide (top & bottom)

                                    2 @ 20" long x 2" high (long sides)

                                    2 @ 15" long x 2" high (short ends)

MATTRESS DIRECTIONS:

1.    Pin and sew all pieces right-sides-together, forming a pillow case, and leaving one "short end" OPEN for turning. 

2.    Turn right side out. 

3.    Stuff with fiberfill. 

4.    PIN and sew short end closed.

5.    Tucks in mattress were made by sewing a button on one side, THROUGH thickness of mattress, catching another button on the other side. Sew back and forth, pulling taut, until buttons are secure, and tie off. Place one in center, and two more off-center at either end for a total of 5 tucks (10 buttons).

PILLOW

For the pillow you will need two pieces of fabric measuring 9" x 6.75".

PILLOW DIRECTIONS:

1.    Place right sides together, and pin around 3 sides, leaving one short side open for turning. Sew.

2.    Turn right sides out. 

3.    Stuff with fiberfill. 

4.    Tuck in fabric on end to create a "hem" and pin.  Sew open end closed.

***********************

SHEETS

These directions will help you to sew a fitted sheet and a flat sheet for your mattress, and a pillowcase for your pillow.

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CHEAT SHEET

For My Doll Bed:

Fitted Sheet:  cut 1 @ 23"wide x 33"long

Flat Sheet: cut 1 @ 23"wide x 33"long

Pillowcase:  cut 1 @ 14"wide x 10" long

For My Baby Doll Crib:

Fitted Sheet:  cut 1 @ 24"wide x 34"long

Pillowcase:  cut 1 @ 14"wide x 10" long

For Ana's Farmhouse Doll Bed:

Fitted Sheet:  cut 1 @ 21"wide x 27"long

Flat Sheet:  cut 1 @ 21"wide x 27"long

Pillowcase:  cut 2 @ 14"wide x 10" long **

**Ana's Doll bed can fit 2 pillows if you want to make 2!

SHEETS DIRECTIONS:

1.    Cut out all necessary pieces from your desired fabric (I used muslin).

2.    Hem all the way around the flat sheet and fitted sheets ONCE:

 3.    Then....FOLD that first hem in and HEM the flat sheet and fitted sheets AGAIN:

4.    You will now have a fitted sheet and a flat sheet that have nicely hemmed edges to prevent fraying:

5.    At this point....your FLAT SHEET is DONE!

6.    Now place your hemmed FITTED sheet FLAT on the floor, RIGHT SIDE UP.

7.    Lay your mattress down on top of the FITTED sheet, making sure that the top of your mattress is laying FACE DOWN.

8.    Center the mattress on your sheet, making sure that you have even edges sticking out all around.  (The ends will be "longer" than the sides....that's fine.)

9.    Bring up the center of each edge and pin it to the pillow....this will keep the sheet from shifting around on you while you work.

10.    Gather the sheet at each corner and pin snugly:

11.    After making sure to pin all four corners, CAREFULLY remove the sheet from the mattress.  Sew along the pin lines until you have created a "pocket" like this:

 12.    After sewing all four corners, turn right side out and try it onto your mattress.  It should fit snugly:

13.    If everything fits well, remove sheet from mattress and turn wrong side out again.  Trim the "pockets" away at the four corners:

 14.    Now turn fitted sheet right side out and place back on mattress.  Your FITTED SHEET is now DONE!

PILLOWCASE DIRECTIONS:


1.    Cut out your 10" x 14" piece of fabric.

2.    HEM along one 14" long edge.  Turn in and HEM AGAIN to create pillowcase edge:

3.    Turn in pillowcase on long edge, making sure right sides of fabric are together.  Your pillowcase should now measure 7"x10".  Pin along raw edges, leaving hemmed end open.  Sew along two raw edges:

4.    Turn right side out.  PILLOWCASE is now DONE!

Please feel free to use these plans to build furniture, for sale or for pleasure, but please do not sell the PLANS as your "own".  Please also give credit to me and link back here!  I hope you enjoy them!!

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.