Category Archives: It’s easy being green

As previously mentioned, I am in the process of decorating my master bedroom on a bare bones budget. I bought new white curtains which did not match my beaten up ivory duvet so I bought a new white duvet which led to the necessity of a new bed skirt…hence this post. I love Ikea for their cheap textiles. Where else can I buy a duvet for $40 and curtains for $24 (I bought two sets  at $12 each and sewed them together to give them proper fullness).

I had wanted to make my own bed skirt but knew that I would need at least three yards of fabric. Given my taste, at $25 per yard it would have gotten expensive. To buy a new ready made bed skirt would have gotten just as pricey so I started imagining different ways to achieve the look I wanted.

Back to Ikea. When buying my new duvet at Ikea I noticed a lovely grey and white striped curtain and was struck by how nicely it would go with my curtains and headboard. I decided to buy the curtain in order to use the inexpensive fabric (only $13!), together with my old bed skirt, to form my new bed skirt.

This room is a work in progress. The wall behind my bed is crying out for some pretty. My husband and I made the headboard with Paul Kaufman fabric and I sewed the throw pillow shown.

Interested? Here’s the process below. If you don’t already have a bed skirt you can buy a pre-loved one cheaply at thrift stores like Value Village and Salvation Army. You can also purchase used curtains at these stores and use this fabric for your new bed skirt.

Step 1: Cut out 3 pieces from your curtain panel:

Two pieces measuring 86 inches by 15 inches.

One piece measuring 68 inches by 17 inches (17 rather than 15 inches because you won’t have a pre-existing hem).

Cut pieces as shown in diagram below using existing hems as possible:

This is my first foray into the world of diagrams. Does it help?

Step 2: Hem the edges which have black arrows pointing at them in the diagram above. To do this fold 3/4 inch and iron. Fold the edge a second time and pin in place.

Step 3: Sew about 1/8 inch down from the top of your fold as shown in the picture above.

Step 4: Edges with red arrows pointing to them in the diagram above should be serged or sewn with a zig zag stitch to prevent the fabric from fraying.

Step 5: Cut the skirt off your old bed skirt leaving just a an inch or two of the fabric. Serge or zig zag stitch the edge of the old fabric.

Step 6: Line up the wrong side of your new fabric beside the bit of leftover skirt (right side laying flat against the center piece) and pin onto center fabric. Make sure you are lining up your serged side, not your hemmed side. Do one side at a time, long sides first.

I didn’t cut off my old skirt (bottom left) but it got in the way while I was sewing so I recommend snipping it off.

Step 7: Sew in place, approx 1/2 inch down from your serged edge.

The last three inches of the long sides should wrap around to the short end of the bed skirt so that there will be an overlap when you sew the foot piece on. You will need to bunch the fabric in the corner, as seen below, in order to make the turn. Don’t worry too much if it isn’t perfect. It will mostly be covered.

Step 8: After both long sides are sewn on, pin on the short piece. Fold the ends back approximately 3 inches under itself so that the hems will be hidden and pin in place. Step 9: Sew in place and you’re done. Iron and enjoy!