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-   -   Making twin fitted sheets from twin flat with SHEET ELASTIC (https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutorials-f10/making-twin-fitted-sheets-twin-flat-sheet-elastic-t134831.html)

dollycaswell 07-05-2011 10:44 PM

You certainly don't HAVE to sew all the way around with the elastic, but I do because I like the way it looks and the clean finished edge and how snug it fits under the mattress. You could sew elastic only around the corners as some others have suggested. I have seen very high end sheets with elastic all around and they fit well and look great.

dollycaswell 07-05-2011 10:48 PM


Originally Posted by Patricia Ann
do you sew the elastic around the whole sheet

Please see the explanations below, thanks.

dollycaswell 07-06-2011 03:46 PM


Originally Posted by dollycaswell

Originally Posted by Patricia Ann
do you sew the elastic around the whole sheet

Please see the explanations below, thanks.

Whoops, see the explanations ABOVE, thanks

llansinger 07-07-2011 07:47 AM

Where do you buy your sheet elastic?
Lena---Livnlearn

dollycaswell 07-07-2011 07:50 AM


Originally Posted by llansinger
Where do you buy your sheet elastic?
Lena---Livnlearn

If I could get a better close-up on what they have on their website, I'd buy it from ctsusa, but I can't tell for sure what their big rolls of "fold over elastic" look like. It needs to have that little rib in the middle that helps it fold easily. I'm going to go to some fabric places locally this week and see if I can get someone to identify specifically/exactly what I have and then order it. I'll keep everyone posted when I get an answer. But to answer you again, ctsusa looks like they have the best prices.

Quilter Day-by-Day 07-07-2011 08:24 AM


Originally Posted by dollycaswell
First of all, I keep calling this "sheet elastic" but I've since learned it's called fold over elastic or elastic binding. So when I do a google search it's easier to find. I've been asked by a few of you to do a tutorial on the famous and extremely elusive "sheet elastic" and how do I make smaller fitted sheets from larger ones. Following is the reason why I even know about this trick!

Okay, here's the story. While I was in Australia a couple of years ago with YWAM, I took some donated, flat, motel sheets and made them into fitted sheets for the many twin beds at the base. I went to a local fabric/notions store and bought "sheet elastic". It is FABULOUS stuff, has a rib down the center and elastic on both sides, probably about 5/8 to 3/4 wide and when you stitch it on the raw edge of the sheet fabric, it completly encloses the edge. The "rib" wraps around the edge, the two sides get stitched together automatically with one stitching and you can go all the way around the entire sheet with elastic, not just at the corners. When I was done with each sheet, they looked "professional" like it was factory done, the sheets were gorgeous!!

I have searched the net and with the help of several people here on this blog I think I've found a place to order the right elastic. Meanwhile, let me see if I can walk/talk/type you through this process.

I will explain it from the standpoint of cutting down a standard twin top sheet and making it into a standard twin fitted sheet.

First though, I want to show you a picture of the elastic that I do have, just don't have enough to do several sheets. Also the rough pencil diagram of how to cut the sheet.

Are you cutting off the 10 1/2 inches out of the corners?

dollycaswell 07-07-2011 08:27 AM


Originally Posted by Quilter Day-by-Day

Originally Posted by dollycaswell
First of all, I keep calling this "sheet elastic" but I've since learned it's called fold over elastic or elastic binding. So when I do a google search it's easier to find. I've been asked by a few of you to do a tutorial on the famous and extremely elusive "sheet elastic" and how do I make smaller fitted sheets from larger ones. Following is the reason why I even know about this trick!

Okay, here's the story. While I was in Australia a couple of years ago with YWAM, I took some donated, flat, motel sheets and made them into fitted sheets for the many twin beds at the base. I went to a local fabric/notions store and bought "sheet elastic". It is FABULOUS stuff, has a rib down the center and elastic on both sides, probably about 5/8 to 3/4 wide and when you stitch it on the raw edge of the sheet fabric, it completly encloses the edge. The "rib" wraps around the edge, the two sides get stitched together automatically with one stitching and you can go all the way around the entire sheet with elastic, not just at the corners. When I was done with each sheet, they looked "professional" like it was factory done, the sheets were gorgeous!!

I have searched the net and with the help of several people here on this blog I think I've found a place to order the right elastic. Meanwhile, let me see if I can walk/talk/type you through this process.

I will explain it from the standpoint of cutting down a standard twin top sheet and making it into a standard twin fitted sheet.

First though, I want to show you a picture of the elastic that I do have, just don't have enough to do several sheets. Also the rough pencil diagram of how to cut the sheet.

Are you cutting off the 10 1/2 inches out of the corners?

Yes, remember this is an example for a TWIN SIZE SHEET and the calculations are based on the size of the flat sheet, minus the expected dimensions of the fitted sheet. My example left us with a cut out in all corners of 10 1/2 inches. If you go back in this blog you can see other questions and further discussion about this and some standardized sheet sizes and calculations. Hope this helps.

llansinger 07-07-2011 01:32 PM

Thank you.
Lena

Annya 07-09-2011 01:36 AM


Originally Posted by klarina
this is a great tut.
I have some flat sheets with no fitted sheet. I think I will give it a try.
Thanks!

I also want to thank you for the tute. I have a king fitted sheet that I will be able to cut down into a queen as it hangs over the mattress real bad and wont fit properly. With your help I now know how to fix the problem.

dollycaswell 07-09-2011 07:09 AM


Originally Posted by Annya

Originally Posted by klarina
this is a great tut.
I have some flat sheets with no fitted sheet. I think I will give it a try.
Thanks!

I also want to thank you for the tute. I have a king fitted sheet that I will be able to cut down into a queen as it hangs over the mattress real bad and wont fit properly. With your help I now know how to fix the problem.

You are SO welcome. (ALL OF YOU!!) I've been reading info on this site for quite a while and always thought this is such a marvelous group of TERRIBLY SMART qulters/sewers/fabric mashers. I've learned lots from the tutes of others, so I'm REALLY pleased that my little bit of knowledge about something has helped some of you. Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement!!

Oh, I almost forgot, I've ordered a sample of the elastic from CTSUSA, their order desk guy was wonderfully helpful. I'll keep you all posted when I receive the sample.


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