making cotbed fitted sheets

always29

hi to the sewing gurus!
in a bid to save money and recycle some old flanellette sheets, can anyone advise how you make the elasticated bottom of a fitted sheet? I am thinking http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6-Cord-5mm-White-Flat-Elastic-x-10-Metres-Sewing-Craft_W0QQitemZ380183436165QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Crafts_Sewing_Supplies_MJ?hash=item5884b2db85 that this sewn into a channel in an all round hem would work or am I am being thick?!

many thanks!
always and overdue bump.

[Deleted User]

When my children were tiny I just cut a flannelette sheet into cot-sized sheets slightly bigger than the mattress IYSWIM and tucked them around.I hemmed all around the edge by hand as I didn't have a sewing machine and it was a lot cheaper than buying flannelette sheets from Mothercare.I also made some smaller ones for the carry cot .and when they had grown too big for the carrycot I used them as a wrap around when I was feeding baby to keep them snig and protect their clothes from any burpy accidents when winding them.A lot cheaper that umpteen bibs and easier to wash out and hang out on the line.I suppose if you reall wanted them to fit I would get some elastic and sew a bit on one side and then attach to the other side at intervals down the sheet so you could slip the elastic under the mattress to hold it in place like a large loop But it would take that much longer to dry.Flat sheets don't take as long to blow dry on the washing line as fitted ones

valk_scot

always29 wrote: »

hi to the sewing gurus!
in a bid to save money and recycle some old flanellette sheets, can anyone advise how you make the elasticated bottom of a fitted sheet? I am thinking http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6-Cord-5mm-White-Flat-Elastic-x-10-Metres-Sewing-Craft_W0QQitemZ380183436165QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Crafts_Sewing_Supplies_MJ?hash=item5884b2db85 that this sewn into a channel in an all round hem would work or am I am being thick?!

many thanks!
always and overdue bump.

That will work just fine. If you want to get elaborate though you can make a box corner...if you look at an adult fitted sheet you'll see what I mean. Personally though I would just do them a la showercap style, which is what you're describing.

always29

JackieO wrote: »

When my children were tiny I just cut a flannelette sheet into cot-sized sheets slightly bigger than the mattress IYSWIM and tucked them around.I hemmed all around the edge by hand as I didn't have a sewing machine and it was a lot cheaper than buying flannelette sheets from Mothercare.I also made some smaller ones for the carry cot .and when they had grown too big for the carrycot I used them as a wrap around when I was feeding baby to keep them snig and protect their clothes from any burpy accidents when winding them.A lot cheaper that umpteen bibs and easier to wash out and hang out on the line.I suppose if you reall wanted them to fit I would get some elastic and sew a bit on one side and then attach to the other side at intervals down the sheet so you could slip the elastic under the mattress to hold it in place like a large loop But it would take that much longer to dry.Flat sheets don't take as long to blow dry on the washing line as fitted ones

thanks JackieO - my first thought was flat sheets but would only get one out of the sheets I am planning on recycling (they don't seem to be double or single!) to allow for tucking in so thats why I thought of trying fitted ones. Good point about drying tho.

valk_scot wrote: »

That will work just fine. If you want to get elaborate though you can make a box corner...if you look at an adult fitted sheet you'll see what I mean. Personally though I would just do them a la showercap style, which is what you're describing.

ooh, valk, I was thinking I'd have to do box corners but of course the cotbed mattress is only 8cm deep so that makes the job even easier! Now I just need to order the elastic!