Q&A
By Marla Stefanelli
How can I make three-quarter-size fitted sheets out of my surplus queensize sheets?
Caroline H.,
e-mail
To convert a flat sheet, measure the mattress depth, add two times the depth and 6" for tuck-in allowances to the mattress width and length (8). Cut a rectangle from the queen sheet equal to the total of these measurements.
Center the fabric on the mattress with the wrong side up; pin the corners to fit. Sew the corners along the pins. Trim the excess corner fabric to a 1/2" seam allowance (9).
For each corner, mark a point 16" on either side of the corner seam along the edge. Serge-finish the seam allowances and raw edges around the perimeter.
Cut four 20"-long pieces of 1/4"-wide elastic. Fold each elastic strip in half to find the center and mark. On the sheet wrong side, overlap the elastic on the edge, pinning the ends at the 16" marks and the elastic center at the corner seam. Zigzag the elastic to the edges, stretching it to fit.
To alter a fitted sheet, place the sheet on the mattress with the wrong side up. Make the sheet fit snugly on one side of the bed and smooth the sheet over the mattress surface. Pin the new corners on the opposite side. Trim the excess sheet on the same side, leaving a 3" tuck-in allowance. Finish the seams and add the elastic in the same manner as above.
You can also alter fitted twin sheets to fit a full-size or queen bed. (I'm doing this for my college-age children who are moving out of the dorms.)
With the wrong sides facing up, put two sheets on the mattress you want them to fit, with one on each side. Bring the loose sheet edges together and pin them down the center or off to one side (10).
Carefully remove the pinned sheets from the bed and stitch along the pins, removing them as you sew. Serge or zigzag-finish the seam allowances.
To make the flat sheet wide enough for a double bed, add a 14" panel to one side or a 7" panel down each side. To make it wide enough for a queen bed, add a 24" panel to one side or a 12" panel down each side.
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