help with sewing sheets and throw

Posted by earhtmother on August 9, 2009, 3:32 pm

My daughter has a futon that is 48x73 so it is bigger than a twin but not
quite as large as a full/double so there are no fitted sheets that fit
properly. I have been using doouble size but I am tired of the excess
fabric so I am going to try and make my own fitted sheets from the twin
flats that I have. I am only an occational sewr so before I attempt this
I want to run it past the experts to make sure that I am not missing
anything. I was thinking that I would need the fabric to be the size of
the bed surface, plus the depth of the mattress plus an allownce for
elastic casings.
Now for the questions - I have NEVER had any luck with keeping the
elastic inside a casing from twisting, is there a trick that I am missing?
Also are there certain elastic types that are better for particular
applications than others? If I decide to put elastic only on the corners
of the sheets I figure I have to mitre the corners the depth of the
mattress plus allowances then sew a length of elastic at each corner. How
long should this peice of elastic be?

I am also going to try to make a throw from 2 peices of fleece I already
have on hand(1 patterned, 1 plain) and a peice of "Thinsulate" to add
warmth(-30c is regular winter temp) As these peices were not bought
together there is a difference in size and as I want the throw to be as
big as possible I am going to have to be "creative" in the sewing. I am
thinking that if I sew the 2 peices together at all 4 edges with an
opening left to turn it I should end up with a "case" - one side solid,
one side bordered by the other with the opening somewhere in the border
seam. I would then cut the Thinsulate to fit match it to the solid side
and sew all 4 edges Next turn it right side out and slip stitch the
opening closed. I was thinking that perhaps it would be a good idea to
then top stitch an inch or so from the edge to keep the layers together
and keep them from twisting when washed. Am I overlooking anything that
makes this impossible or beyond my meagre sewing skills?

thanks for your patience and help

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Posted by Samatha Hill -- take out TRASH on August 9, 2009, 4:15 pm

Nancy's Notions used to have directions on how to make a fitted sheet.
I don't see it on her site any more, or maybe I just couldn't find it
with her current layout, but I did Google for "how to make a fitted
sheet" and found lots of instructions, print and video. I recommend you
try the same thing and find what speaks to you best.

earhtmother wrote:
show/hide quoted text

Posted by Bobbie Sews More on August 9, 2009, 5:48 pm

I would suggest that after you get the throw made, that you sew a few lines
either crossways or long ways to quilt this together. Be sure to pin the
throw, using a LOT of pins before you sew.
As to the sheet, I have made toddler sheets and I zig-zag the elastic onto
the sheet, making sure the zig part is sewn into the elastic to hold it
down. Hope this helps.
Barbara in SC

Posted by Juno B on August 9, 2009, 6:14 pm

Bobbie Sews More wrote:
show/hide quoted text

I was looking at some of the pages for making fitted sheets and my
personal preference would be this one.
http://sewing.about.com/od/homedecprojects/ss/fittedsheet.htm
You don't cut away excess fabric on this one until you've done your
sewing. It gives you an opportunity to check fit before you cut off the
excess.
I always zigzag the elastic all the way around the sheet when I replace
stretched elastic. Then I turn under another 1/4 inch to cover the
elastic. I prefer that kind of fit.
Juno

Posted by earhtmother on August 12, 2009, 4:47 pm

earhtmother had written this in response to
http://www.sewgirls.com/sewing/Re-help-with-sewing-sheets-and-throw-longish-42356-.htm
:

Bobbie Sews More wrote:

show/hide quoted text
quilt this together.
show/hide quoted text
sure the zig part is sewn into the elastic to hold it down.
show/hide quoted text

Thanks - will just "normal" elastic be fine? The patterned fleece has
areas I could sew around to quilt it, would this work or are the lines a
better idea?

elaine

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help with sewing sheets and throw - longish