Make a bedskirt out of fabric you choose to fit your king-size bed.
A box-pleated bedskirt adds clean, tailored lines to the look of your bed and the overall look of your bedroom. Purchasing a box-pleated bedskirt that fits a king-size bed, however, can be an expensive endeavor. You can easily make your own box-pleated bedskirt out of any fabric you choose. While this project does take careful premeasuring and planning to ensure a properly fitting bedskirt, the sewing itself is straightforward and appropriate for intermediate-level sewers or confident beginners. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure the length of each side of your king-size box spring and the length of the drop from the top edge of the boxspring to the floor. Write down both of these measurements.
2. Cut a piece of fabric for each side of your boxspring. Figure the length of each piece by adding 8 inches to the length of the measurement you took for each side. Figure the width measurement by adding 1 inch to the length of the drop measurement you took.
3. Hem the bottom edge of each rectangle by folding one of the long edges of each rectangle 1/8 inch up toward the wrong side of the fabric. Fold up again 1/4 inch, and iron and pin into place. Sew each pinned hem with a 1/8-inch seam allowance.
4. Measure the length of each rectangle and divide it into thirds. Make a mark on the top edge of each rectangle with the fabric marker at each third; for example, if the rectangle is 90 inches long, make a mark at the 30-inch mark and the 60-inch mark.
5. Make a mark 2 inches to the right and 2 inches to the left of each mark. In this example, you would make a mark at the 28-inch mark, 32-inch mark, 58-inch mark and 62 inch mark. Measure and make these marks on all your rectangles.
6. Bring each mark to the left or right of the center mark over so it touches the center mark to create the box pleat. For example, you would bring the 28-inch mark over to the 30 inch mark so that the marks touched and you would pin the marks in place. You would then bring the 32-inch mark over to the 30-inch mark so that the marks touched and you would pin the marks in place. Use several pins next to your center pinned areas to hold your pleats in places. Repeat with all your marked areas to create a series of box pleats in your rectangles.
7. Sew down the top edge of each fabric rectangle using a straight stitch to keep your pleats in place. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance and sew through the pinned areas of all of your box pleats. Remove your pins.
8. Pin one of the long rectangles to one of the short rectangles with the short edges wrong sides together. Sew together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Repeat with all the rectangles until the entire series is sewn together.
9. Place the king-size flat sheet on your boxspring, and trim it down to size so it is about 1/2 inch larger than the top of your boxspring. Turn your sewn-together side rectangle panels inside out, and fit it over the sides of your boxspring. Pin the top corner pieces to the corner pieces of the sheet. Pin the rest of the top edges of the rectangle to the side rectangle pieces.
10. Sew the side rectangle pieces to the sheet using a 3/8-inch seam allowance. Backstitch and remove your pins when done. Turn right-side out and iron your box pleats so they stay flat and in place. Place the bedskirt on your boxspring.
Tags: your boxspring, each rectangle, seam allowance, your pleats, box-pleated bedskirt