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Need Help with Mitering Problem

sewhat | Posted in General Sewing Info on

I recently purchased fabric online to make bed linens with, and must say I am delighted with what I received.  The fabric is perfectly grained.  It is so straight that you can tear it instead of cutting.  I am using a set of queen size sheets and pillowcases for my patterns, and the fabric is 100″ wide.  I had no problem with the top sheet and cases, but the contour sheet is a bit more challenging.  The measurements are approximately 108″ long by 76″ wide, but since the sheet is fitted, it has to have mitered corners, and I have hit a mental block in trying to figure out how to cut out for the miter and how to sew it.  Anyone out there got any suggestions? 

I am really enjoying this forum–have picked up some good information in the short time I have been a member.  Thanks to all of you. 

 

Carla

* * Today is the first day of the rest of your life. * *

 

Replies

  1. Jean | | #1

    I googled and found this site. http://andsewitis.net/sewing/sheets.html 

    Threads #100 page 60 also has an article.

    FITTED SHEETS
    by Pamela Burke
    Removable covers for mattresses, ottomans, and rectangular cushions are easy and fast to make

    It may be of some help to you.



    Edited 9/22/2003 12:07:16 AM ET by Jean

    1. sewhat | | #2

      Jean,

      Thank you.   The website you directed me to has the information I need.  What a good find!  You must have been burning the midnight oil last night.  I am a true "sewing insomniac".   I get so wrapped up sometimes in what I am working on that bed is just not an option, unless I want to stare at the ceiling.  Do you suffer from the same affliction?

      I have noticed that you are very active with this forum, and am so glad.  I have checked out several forums, but this one seems to be the best as far as participation and great subjects are concerned.  

      Have a great day, and again, thanks.

      1. Jean | | #3

        I had a nice long nap Sunday afternoon and I was paying the price. :)  Someone volunteered my services to make a few bed caddies for the local school bazaar and I was trying to figure out how I wanted to make them -- with flat pockets or cargo pockets.

        Threads to the rescue again. I checked out pockets on the index that's on-line and found at least 3 articles that will be helpful. I'm so glad I saved those magazines!! Then of course, I had to pop over to my favorite forums to see what was going on, saw your post and did a little web surfing.

        Much more fun than sleeping!! ;-)

  2. SewingSue | | #4

    Carla, I have been wanting to try making my own sheets but have never seen the appropriate fabric. Did you purchase the fabric on line? If so, can you provide the link? Thanks in advance. Sue

    1. sewhat | | #5

      Good evening, Sue.  I am glad you asked about the fabric, because I am really impressed with it, and at the time the order was placed, I was not so sure.  Took about a $50 gamble, which is a lot as I am not much of a risk taker.   The fabric is from a company in Hawarden, Iowa, and the website is http://www.inweave.com  I ordered a pastel pattern percale, and it is really nice.  I have everything cut out, and am hoping to start sewing tonight or tomorrow.  I was a little disappointed when I ordered that the thread count of the fabric is only 180, but  it has a very good feel to it, and the price is pretty good.  I always figure I must save at least 50% of the pricetag of something (not including my labor) in order to make it worthwhile.  As I get around to sewing the sheets and pillowcases,  I will post again and let you know how it is working out.

                      

      1. SewingSue | | #6

        Carla, Thank you so much for supplying a link. They don't have a big selection but better then what I have found so far. Keep me posted on your outcome. I was thinking that if I found the right fabric I would lay the fabric over the mattress and pin the corners to miter. The excess could be trimmed off before or after seaming. The really good sheets use elastic all the way around the top sheet and the less expensive ones just put elastic in the corners. That would be your call. Good luck and definitely let me know how they turn out. Sue

        1. sewhat | | #7

          Hi, Sue.  Here is an update on the sheet fabric.  I started sewing last night.  Had decided not to prewash the fabric--BIG MISTAKE.  I don't know if it was the sizing or some other finish, but after sewing for a short time, I started itching.  Had to stop sewing, serge all the cut edges, then wash everything. 

          I resumed sewing this afternoon, and have completed 4 pillowcases.  They are okay, but I am a little disappointed that I couldn't find something with a higher thread count.  The fabric is very pretty.  I noticed that this pattern  is no longer available on the website, and I agree that the selection is pretty limited. 

          This morning I had periodontal work done on half of my mouth, so I am not feeling too chipper this evening, and have decided to postpone finishing this project till I feel better.  I found your method for mitering to work out well--Thank You.  When I ever finish, I will post again and let you know how everything turned out.  I will say for now that I am not real disappointed, as this is a good "training project".  I have sewn for years, but never tried anything like bedding before.  It is pretty straightforward, however. 

          If you locate a new source for sheet fabric, please let me know, as it has been a fun project, and I am sure the sheets and pillowcases will be put to good use.  I would like to do it next time with a little higher quality of fabric, however.

          Take care.

          1. SewingSue | | #8

            Carla, I have never made my own sheets before either but the prices keep going up and sure seems like the quality keeps going down. I have some egyptian cotton sheets that I bought at Penny's. Could have been from anywhere though. Don't remember the brand. On sale, I paid over 100 hundred dollars for the sheets and pillow cases. The sheets feel terrific but they shrank a bunch and now barely fit the bed. I have an extra deep mattress. But I think anymore all of them are and the sheet set said for up to 15 inch deep. They fit at the corners and top and bottom have enough tuck in but the sides are skimpy and don't tuck under the mattress well. The hem at the top is all a skew. Definitely off grain. That was when I got the idea of doing my own. You renewed my interest in finding sheeting fabric. I have done several searchs and only found one. http://shop.store.yahoo.com/naturalamerica/orcotecsheet.html

            Sorry, but it looks like you will need to do a copy and paste. I might email them and see if it's possible to get samples. I think there will only be an off white color available though. But it sounds like the fabric is probably good. I keep looking and have added your link to my favorites. It seems like this should be available. Probably a matter of doing the right search.

            I was wondering if you had washed the fabric first. Polyester can be irrating to the skin. I remember when I was in the Air Force I really wasn't happy when they changed our fatigues to polyester from cotton. The polyester dried quicker when it got wet but was so itchy. The cotton ones were softer and easier on the skin. Good luck. Keep me updated. Sue

          2. 07ranch | | #9

            Regarding the discussion on making fitted sheets, last fall I purchased on deep discount a pair of flannel cheets, what I thought were top and fitted turned out to be two tops, I simply laid the extra top face down on the mattress and pinned the corners vertically slip cover fashion, double stitched the seam and whacked off the excess with a pinking blade rotary cutter leaving 1/2 in seam allowance, I placed the sheet back on the mattress face down again, and determined the length and placement of elastic for each corner using about 50% stretch, pinned it in place and sititched it on, I did not bother with trimming the excess fabric as it will be tucked under the mattress. The entire exercise took less than an hour and has held up perfectly, as these were my primary sheets all winter. I will keep my eyes open for great deals on flat sheets and do this again.  Really effective solution and cost savings.

          3. SewingSue | | #10

            That's a thought but I would have to buy king sheets to do that. The queen size shrank so much there is no way I could make a fitted sheet from the top sheet and it seems like if I have to resort to that might as well start with sheeting fabric and do it from scratch. But definitely worthy of consideration. Sue

          4. sewhat | | #11

            Thank you so much for the detailed explanation of how you mitered your sheet.  Sounds good to me.  I have been working on the set of queen size bed linens, and it is really enjoyable.  Just wish I could find another source or two for purchasing 100" to 106" fabric, as I would like to increase the thread count the next time I do this.  If anyone knows of an online source for bedsheet fabric, please let me know.  Right now, I am aware of only one, Inweave.

            Happy sewing.

  3. marythimble | | #12

     

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