Does anyone else make their own clothes

TomsMom

I have some flat and fitted single sheets, almost new and good quality, which are no longer needed.

I can make double size sheets out of the flat ones, no problem. Is there any way I can make double size ones out of the single size fitted sheets?

Savvy_sewing

Fitted sheets are usually just a seam at the corners, with elastic. If you want to make them into flat sheets, then I think that you would need to unpick or cut the elastic off, and unpick the seam. Then you could lay the fabric flat.
A double sheet is not as wide as two singles sewn together. The difference is only 18" on adverage. If it a kingsize then it is 24 inches wider. The length is usually the same.
I hope that this will help you.

TomsMom

Mooloo wrote: »

Fitted sheets are usually just a seam at the corners, with elastic. If you want to make them into flat sheets, then I think that you would need to unpick or cut the elastic off, and unpick the seam. Then you could lay the fabric flat.

Thanks Mooloo. I've had a practice on an old unwanted single fitted sheet. I've unpicked the seams at the corners and cut the elastic. It seems that there is a right angled piece, the depth of the corner seam, cut out, so the longest piece (the bit that would lay on the bed) is about 9" longer than the side pieces. Mmmmmmmmmm, I can't see that this is going to work. Shame, they are such good quality sheets, some brand new, I was really hoping to make a couple of extra pairs of sheets for the double bed with these.

theoretica

A double bed is the same length as a single so you should be able to turn two fitted single sheets into one double (cut them lengthwise and sew the larger portions together). However, it can be unpleasant to lie on the seam, even with the special flat seam I can't quite remember so you might want to try the top sheets first.

TomsMom

theoretica wrote: »

A double bed is the same length as a single so you should be able to turn two fitted single sheets into one double (cut them lengthwise and sew the larger portions together). However, it can be unpleasant to lie on the seam, even with the special flat seam I can't quite remember so you might want to try the top sheets first.

Thanks Theoretica. Yes, I am going to do the flat seam (run and fell seam if I remember correctly from school about a squillion years ago!) on the top sheets. I'm going to add some extra on each side so that the seams wont be where you'd lie but on the side of the mattress nearer where you tuck in.

I've looked at the single fitted sheet I've been practising with and the longest part (middle of the sheet that lays on top of the mattress) is 33". As a double mattress is 54" wide then the seams joining two single (fitted) sheets together are going to be in a position where they'll be lain on.

I think I'm on a loser trying to do something with the single fitted ones. I'll just do the flat ones and find a good home for the fitted ones I can't use. I can't even take them back and exchange them, they were bought from Rosebys when they had some high thread count sheets in as a special buy.

Savvy_sewing

Toms Mom, look at the sheet differently. If you remove the edges of the sheets, i.e. from the rectangle that has been cut off (you could use for dusters or other things), then join two together. I would think that the best way would be to divide the second sheet into two, and sew it onto either side of the first sheet.? so that the seams are not central?
I have not actually done this so it is verymuch a guestimate. I have turned sheets before, about 30 years ago. But never changed the fitted sheets.
You could make aprons or other gift ideas out of the sheets if the above is not possible.
If you are not much of a craft person, then perhaps a good home via, freecycle or donate to a charity shop. (Where I buy the things to make my creations:rotfl::rotfl:).

TomsMom

Mooloo wrote: »

Toms Mom, look at the sheet differently. If you remove the edges of the sheets, i.e. from the rectangle that has been cut off (you could use for dusters or other things), then join two together. I would think that the best way would be to divide the second sheet into two, and sew it onto either side of the first sheet.? so that the seams are not central?

Yes, Mooloo, that's the way I was thinking. If I take the rectangle from the middle that is 33" wide. If I add the pieces from the second sheet either side, and allowing for seam allowances, I'm only getting approx 30" in the middle with a seam each side so the seams would come where you lie on both sides of the double bed.

The alternative would be to do a seam down the middle. Thinking about it, taking the middle parts of the two fitted sheets that's still only 66", allowing for seams you'd have about 63" to cover and tuck in on a 54" bed, so still not enough.

Either there's a way of utilising the elasticated corners, which I can't fathom out, or it's not possible.

I think the easiest way is to donate the fitted sheets where they can be used as is and just make two or three flat doubles out of the flat singles.

I've googled but not found anything. I probably need a make do and mend type of website! Thanks for trying to help.

theoretica

Would there be enough material to use the center bit of the fitted sheets to provide the extra width on each side of the flat sheets?

TomsMom

theoretica wrote: »

Would there be enough material to use the center bit of the fitted sheets to provide the extra width on each side of the flat sheets?

Yes Theoretica, I'm sure there would be. That would allow me to make a couple more flat sheets. Rather than cutting up any of the flat sheets to add the extra width onto the others, then by using the middles of the fitted ones I'll gain extra sheets that way and keep all the flat sheets. :T What a great suggestion, I hadn't thought of that! We went all around the houses but got there in the end and a better solution than I had imagined!

Savvy_sewing

Well I spent the afternoon turning a pair of jeans into a handbag. There is some fabric left, to add to the rag bag, as I am not sure what else I will make out of it yet.http://