First determine the width of fabric you need. Sheeting comes in a width of 228cm which is generally wide enough to avoid uncomfortable seams. Measure across the bed and add double the depth of the mattress. Add 45cm for each side as a tuck-under. For the length, measure the length of the bed, plus twice the depth of the mattress, plus 30cm for the head end, and Wilmington NC boat services 45cm for a tuck –under at the bottom. Add an allowance for a double 7.5cm hem at the top, and a double 5cm hem at the bottom. Cut out the material and machine sews both the hems. Repeat for a pair. You could give the top sheet a decorative lace or broderie anglaise edging.
Fitted Sheets
The elasticized fitting is used on all four corners of the sheet to pull it taut. This is where you can really benefit from doing the work yourself by achieving a perfect fit for your particular bed. Measure the length and width of the mattress. Add to these measurements twice the depth of the mattress. Add 11.5cm to each side and end to allow for the part tucked underneath the mattress and for hem allowances of 1.5cm. Buy sheeting to these measurements and a meter of 1cm wide elastic. Cut out the fabric.
Mark in pins at all the corners a square with sides measuring the mattress depth plus 10cm. cut out and machine-stitch the corners, right sides together. Trim off the excess fabric and neaten the edges, which is the best done by machine zigzagging. Press up a hem on the wrong side all the way round the sheet, taking 5mm on the first turning and 2cm on the second. Machine stitch along all four sides but start and finish 15cm from the corners. Also stitch round the corners but leave 2cm gaps to insert the elastic. Cut the elastic into four lengths of 25cm each. Insert on into level with the openings so that the corners are gathered up.
