Tailored bed skirt

For a coordinated ensemble, bed skirts are used with duvet covers and quilts. Designed to hide the ugly base and legs of a bed, they can also be used to give the bed an attractive, finished look. Choose from the many styles, including gathered, tailored, and pleated. For best results, attach the bed skirt to a fitted sheet to prevent the skirt from shifting out of position.

Tailored bed skirts feature deep 15cm box pleats at each bottom corner and at the centre of each side, and 7.5cm pleats at the head of the bead. This bed skirt has simple design lines and can be used for all styles of decorating, from traditional to contemporary.

The fabric is cut so the lengthwise grain runs horizontally on the project. The design of the fabric is them turned sideways. If the fabric has a design that cannot be turned sideways, it is not suitable for this project.

Tailored bed skirts may be made for beds with or without footboards. For a bed with a footboard, follow the instructions for the split-corner bed skirt.

Here's how:
1. Cut three lengthwise pieces from one width of fabric, one piece for each side and one for the foot of the bed. Each side piece, cut width of each piece equal to the length of the base plus 59.8cm. This allows for pleating, seam allowance, and hem allowance. For double or queen, cut one piece for the foot of the bed, with the cut width equal to the width of the base plus 48.5cm.

For king-size, cut one piece with cut width equal to the width of the base plus 78.5cm, to allow for a pleat at the centre of the foot. The cut length of the bed skirt pieces is equal to the distance from the top of the base to the floor plus 5cm for hem and seam allowances, and for 1.3cm clearance at the floor.

2. Place the fitted sheet over the base. Using non-permanent marker, mark sheet along upper edge of base on each side and at foot of bed, Mark corners at centre of curve. Mark centres at side and foot sections.

3. Press and stitch 2.5cm double-fold hems at lower edge and side at head of bead. Stitch bed skirt pieces together; finish seam allowances.

4. Position bed skirt so centre of fabric is placed at centre of foot. Fold pleats in place at markings as shown, with 7.5cm on each side of pleat; pin to base with seam allowance extending above upper edge. Seams will be hidden in pleats.

5. Remove bed skirt from base, repositioning pins to secure pleats. Press pleats in place, with even pleat depth from upper to lower edge. Machine-baste 1.3cm from upper edge, securing pleats.

6. Lay skirt right side down on top of base. Pin upper edge of bed skirt to fitted sheet, extending 1.3cm seam allowance beyond marked line.

7. Remove bed skirt and fitted sheet from base. Stitch bed skirt to sheet, stitching 1.3cm from raw edge; finish seam allowance.

Tailored - split-corner
1. Cut three lengthwise pieces from one width of fabric, one piece for each side and one for the foot of the bed. Each side piece, cut width of each piece equal to the length of the base plus 71cm. This allows for pleating and hem allowance. For double or queen, cut one piece for the foot of the bed, with the cut width equal to the width of the base plus 40.5cm.

For king-size, cut one piece with cut width equal to the width of the base plus 71cm, to allow for a pleat at the centre of the foot. The cut length of the bed skirt pieces is equal to the distance from the top of the base to the floor plus 5cm for hem and seam allowances, and for 1.3cm clearance at the floor.

2. Follow step 1 above. Press and stitch 2.5cm double-fold hems at lower edge and side seams. Position bed skirt pleats for foot of bed so centre of fabric is place at centre of foot. Fold pleats in place at markings, with 7.5cm on each side of pleat; pin to base with seam allowance extending above upper edge.

3. Pin side pieces to fitted sheet, butting hemmed edges together and folding pleat at corner; pin. Fold and pin pleat at centre of each side. Finish bed skirt as in steps above.

  source: home decorating institute