Here’s a little instruction on how to make a bed skirt or dust ruffle from a canvas drop cloth.
For this bed skirt I used a 6’X9′ drop cloth from Wal-Mart’s paint department.
I washed it and dried it. I like the softer feel after it has been washed.
Step 1:Measuring
Measure from the floor to the top of the box spring.and length and width. Mine was 17″ tall, 80″ long, 75″ wide. Note: you can measure the mattress with or without the help of a black cat.
Step 2:Cutting
Cutting: Fold the drop cloth in half, lengthwise. Being time frugal, I lined up the hemmed edges. Measure and mark the drop cloth for cuttting. Add 1″ for seam allowance and a little wiggle room. The height was 17″, so I cut 2 pieces 18″x the length of the drop cloth.
The 3rd piece is 19″ x length. (1″ for seam and 1″ for hem). This one has cut edges. Hope that makes sense. Because drop cloth edges are not very straight you can use cutting board and yardstick to even up uneven edges.
Divide the remaining drop cloth into 3 strips. These narrow strips are the parts that will tuck between the mattress and box springs.
Step 3:Stitching
Pin right sides together. Stitch using 1/2″ allowance (photo 2). Note the hemmed edge and the cut edge (photo 1). I have allowed that extra for hemming.
Hem the cut edge section of the skirt (photo 1). Stitch the long strips together. (photo 2).
Easy gathering technique: Set you machine to zigzag. On the wrong side of the fabric, stitch over button twist or crochet thread (photo 1). Be careful not to catch the heavier thread in the zigzag.
You will pull the heavier thread to gather the fabric. Hem one edge of the long strip (photo 2).
I hope this will make sense. I divided the skirt and the strips in half, in half again, and those sections in half. Mark with safety pins (top photo). Then match sections and secure with pins.
Pull the heavier thread to create gathers. It should pull easily thru the zigzag stitching (bottom photo).
Using a straight stitch, stitch the skirt to the strips (photo 1). Because this ravels so easily, I finished the seams using my serger or you could use a zigzag stitch. (Not shown)
To create the miter corner: With the wrong side up, line up edges on a cutting board.Pin in place. Pinch up the inside corner and mark with pins (photo 2).
Stitch the miter (photo 1). This is how it should look (photo 2).
Almost done. Press using highest setting and steam (with or without a cat).
Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. I stitched ribbons (1 piece 2 1/2 yards and 1 piece 1/2 yard) to the top edges of the strips. When I put the wrap around skirt on the bed I passed the longest ribbon under the top edge of the mattress and pulled it snugly and tied it to the short piece of ribbon.
Hope this works for you. I sure like the way mine turned out.
Note: If you want fuller ruffles you will need to purchase one more drop cloth and cut three more wide sections. you will not need more long (tuck in) strips.
’til next time,
Nathalie
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