Chamois Fitted Crib Sheet Tutorial

So, I have taken a HUGE break.  So sorry.  Don't worry, I have been uber busy building and crafting and will be sharing with you all soon.  Today, I decided I would start with a sewing project.  The inspiration for this came from this blog.  It is relatively easy, the hardest part was cutting the fabric and threading the elastic....so I think you can do it!

So first, go measure your mattress.  A standard mattress is 51" x 28".  If not, then add 16" to both the width and length to determine how much fabric you will need.  I have a standard mattress and will be using dimensions based off MY mattress.

Supplies

2 yards of fabric

scissors/rotary cutter

straight edge (yard stick for me)

coordinating thread

2.75 yards of elastic (width is your preference)

pins

Now, go head to you local fabric store and pick out your favorite chamois, minky fabric....don't forget your COUPON!  You will need 2 yards (remember I have a standard matress...two yards should cover most though).  If you want to make a matching changing pad cover get 1 more yard.

I always wash my fabrics first.  That way IF there is any shrinkage I get that out of the way BEFORE I sew!
Now to the "hard" part....cutting your fabric.  For the standard mattress you will want to cut a rectangle that is 67" x 44".  Once you have your rectangle you will need to cut 8" squares out of each corner.  You can either do them individually, or fold the rectangle in half, then in half again, getting all the corner matched up.  Did I loose you?

Fold in half the long edge to long edge.

Fold in half short edge to short edge.

All four corners together.

 Now that I have my fabric folded I cut an 8" square with my rotary cutter and a straight edge.  Be patient and make sure you go thru all the layers.

Time to start sewing!!!  We are going to be making a french seam.  I have been told that this fabric sheds...so we are going to contain it.  Grab one corner and put the WRONG sides together and pin.  This will seem like it goes against everything you have ever been taught.  It will be ok, I promise!

Sewing wrong sides together.

I sewed about 1/4" seam allowance.  I am not exact and I just sew sometimes...oh well.  Once you have sewed your seam you are going to fold that corner so that right side of the fabric is facing each other and you are going to sew, making sure that you encase the edge of fabric you just joined.  This will take about a 5/8 " seam allowance.

Sewing right sides together, encase the edge of the fabric with the seam.

Congratulations!  You just made a french seam!!!   Do this for all four corners.

Once all the corners are all done it is time to create the pocket for the elastic.  Start by folding the fabric edge up 1/2".  Then take that folded edge and fold it up 1" and pin.  Do this all the way around the fabric. Or another way to do it is, fold up the edge 1.5" then tucking the top 1/2" of that fold down (it depends on how your brain works which you will get).  The first one is easy for me, the second took me a couple of tries so I took photos). 

Folding the unfinished edge up 1.5"

Folding the unfinished edge down 1/2" leaving 1"encasement.

 Once it is pinned in place you will pin all the way around leaving 2" opening to insert your elastic.  I think about 2.5 yards of elastic will do, but definitely 2.75 will be plenty.  Attach a safety pin to the edge and start threading through.  It gets harder as you start getting closer to the end, just keep swimming...
Once the elastic is thread through, I attached the ends (once I was happy with the length and the amount of tension) of the elastic with a zig zag stitch (sorry I thought I took a photo, but I think you get it!).  I went over it twice.  Tuck the end of the elastic in the encasement and sew it closed.
Now, run upstairs and throw everything off the mattress and slap that bad boy on.  Do a happy dance that you didn't drop a pretty penny at PBK!  My plans are to turn this into a blanket after he is done, but cutting off the edges and attaching a back...but not now.
Now to make one in my size....lol

As always, if you have any questions let me know!!  Happy sewing!