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Bettesworth Construction
DIY

How to Sew a Fitted Sheet That Fits Your Mattress

Measure your mattress, cut a properly sized fabric rectangle, sew the corner pockets and add adjustable elastic for a fitted sheet that stays in place.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 4 min read
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To sew a fitted sheet, measure your mattress, calculate a cut rectangle that includes the side drop and sewing allowances, cut equal squares from its corners, sew the corners into pockets, finish the lower edge, then add elastic. Measure the mattress itself rather than relying on a standard bed-size label: mattress dimensions and depth vary, and sizing formulas depend on the method and fabric.

What you need

  • Sheeting fabric large enough for the calculated cut rectangle
  • Matching thread and elastic suited to your chosen construction
  • Measuring tape, pins, scissors or a rotary cutter and ruler
  • A sewing machine
  • A large safety pin or bodkin if you are threading elastic through a casing

A serger is optional. There is no universal elastic width or length: choose it to match the method, fabric and mattress dimensions.

Measure the mattress and calculate the fabric

Take the mattress measurements

Measure the mattress’s top width, top length and depth. Measure the mattress you will use the sheet on, including any topper or padding that will remain in place. Decide how much fabric should drop below the mattress edge and check whether your chosen pattern’s dimensions already include seam and hem allowances.

Choose one sizing method and stick to its assumptions

There is no single formula that applies to every fabric and construction. For example, Tessuti’s linen tutorial adds 40 cm of mattress depth at either end, at width and length; it notes that extra-high padded mattresses may need 50 cm. Its example uses a 152 × 203 cm Queen mattress and a 232 × 283 cm cut rectangle, then removes 40 × 40 cm squares from the corners. Those are the measurements for that tutorial’s example, not a guarantee for every Queen mattress. Tessuti’s fitted-sheet tutorial

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#1 Best Overall
Sale
Queen Fitted Sheet, Ultra Soft Fits Up to 15 Inch Deep Pocket, Grey
  • Fitted Sheet - Queen size Fitted Sheet by Utopia Bedding measuring 60 by 80 inches with a 15 inches deep pocket that fits over-sized mattresses up to 15 inches deep and designing that complements your bed set quite well
  • All - Around Elastic - All - Around Elastic to pull in the borders to make it easily stretch and fit the base of the mattress
  • Brushed Microfiber Polyester - Breathable Brushed Microfiber Polyester fabric brings a soft and cozy feel to your bed that tempts you to stay in bed for long
  • Shrink And Fade Resistant - The polyester microfiber material is processed to make it resistant to shrinkage and fading which adds to the longevity of the sheet by keeping it in great condition
  • Care Instructions - Machine wash cold; do not bleach; tumble dry or iron on normal temperature

Needlepointers gives a different inch-based method for converting a flat sheet: add twice the mattress depth plus 5 inches to each top dimension to calculate the sheet rectangle, then use corner squares of depth plus 3 inches. Its instructions note that the result can be too snug; suggested adjustments are to add 2 inches to the initial dimensions or reduce each corner square by 1 inch. Treat these as adjustments to that specific method, not universal sizing rules. Needlepointers’ flat-sheet method

Shannon Fabrics’ Cuddle pattern is for Twin, Full, Queen and King sizes with standard 8–12 inch mattress depth. Its corner-square sizes, elastic lengths and ½-inch corner seam allowance belong to that pattern and its plush fabric construction; do not transfer the chart to another fabric width or pattern. Shannon Fabrics’ Cuddle fitted-sheet pattern

Rank #2
Queen Fitted Sheet, Ultra Soft Fits Up to 15 Inch Deep Pocket, White
  • Fitted Sheet - Queen size Fitted Sheet by Utopia Bedding measuring 60 by 80 inches with a 15 inches deep pocket that fits over-sized mattresses up to 15 inches deep and designing that complements your bed set quite well
  • All - Around Elastic - All - Around Elastic to pull in the borders to make it easily stretch and fit the base of the mattress
  • Brushed Microfiber Polyester - Breathable Brushed Microfiber Polyester fabric brings a soft and cozy feel to your bed that tempts you to stay in bed for long
  • Shrink And Fade Resistant - The microfiber material is processed to make it resistant to shrinkage and fading which adds to the longevity of the sheet by keeping it in great condition
  • Care Instructions - Machine wash cold; do not bleach; tumble dry or iron on normal temperature

Cut and sew the corner pockets

  1. Calculate the rectangle using the one method you chose. Confirm the fabric width is sufficient before cutting.
  2. Mark equal squares at all four corners and cut them out. Folding the fabric into quarters can help align the cuts, but first match the edges and layers accurately.
  3. At each corner, bring the two newly cut edges together with right sides facing and sew them to form a pocket. Finish the raw edges with a French seam if that suits your fabric and method; Tessuti and Needlepointers use French seams. Shannon Fabrics specifies its own ½-inch seam for the Cuddle pattern.

Tessuti recommends a French seam for a stronger, more stable corner seam. Follow the seam allowance belonging to your chosen pattern rather than combining instructions from different methods.

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Finish the lower edge and choose an elastic method

Fold and stitch the lower edge to make a hem or casing, following the construction you selected. If making a casing, leave one or more openings so you can thread, adjust and replace the elastic. Fabrics-store.com describes both slit-facing and opening-gap approaches. Fabrics-store.com’s elastic instructions

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Rank #3
Sale
King Fitted Sheet, Ultra Soft Fits Up to 15 Inch Deep Pocket, Grey
  • Fitted Sheet - King size Fitted Sheet by Utopia Bedding measuring 78 by 80 inches with a 15 inches deep pocket that fits over-sized mattresses up to 15 inches deep and designing that complements your bed set quite well
  • All - Around Elastic - All - Around Elastic to pull in the borders to make it easily stretch and fit the base of the mattress
  • Brushed Microfiber Polyester - Breathable Brushed Microfiber Polyester fabric brings a soft and cozy feel to your bed that tempts you to stay in bed for long
  • Shrink And Fade Resistant - The microfiber material is processed to make it resistant to shrinkage and fading which adds to the longevity of the sheet by keeping it in great condition
  • Care Instructions - Machine wash cold; do not bleach; tumble dry or iron on normal temperature
Method How it works What to consider
Separate corner elastic Attach a piece of elastic across each corner and stretch it as you sew. Tessuti’s example uses four 18-inch (46 cm) pieces of 6 mm elastic. The four-piece measurement is specific to Tessuti’s example, not a universal length. Elastic is concentrated at the corners.
Elastic in a casing Thread elastic through a hem casing, try the sheet on the mattress, adjust the tension, then secure the ends. Leaving access openings makes adjustment and later replacement easier. A safety pin or bodkin helps with threading.
Full-perimeter elastic sewn on Mark the edge in sections and stretch elastic evenly between the marks as you sew it around the perimeter, as Needlepointers describes. Use the length and tension appropriate to the chosen pattern; Needlepointers’ sizing method can produce a snug fit.
Pattern-specific Cuddle construction Follow Shannon Fabrics’ size chart and casing instructions for its Cuddle pattern. Its chart applies to the pattern’s stated sizes and 8–12 inch mattress depth, not to unrelated materials or dimensions.

These options differ in elastic coverage, ease of adjustment or replacement, and suitability for a particular fabric and mattress. No single elastic ratio is established for every construction.

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Queen Size 4 Piece Sheet Set - Breathable & Cooling Sheets - Dark Grey
  • 4 PIECE BED SHEET SET: 2 pillow cases and a flat sheet and fitted sheet. Flat Sheet (102”x 90”) Fitted Sheet (80”x 60”) 2 Pillow Cases (20” x 30”).
  • DEEP POCKETS/ EASY FIT: They fit mattresses up to around 16 inches deep. If your mattress is smaller than 16 inches it will fit just fine. A lot of mattresses are pretty big these days and we feel this is a good universal size that fits most mattresses.
  • FEEL THE DIFFERENCE: If you're looking for very soft sheets you have found them! They're breathable, cool and super silky soft. The comfort of these sheets will have you coming back! They're softer than Egyptian cotton and organic cotton sheets! Best for any room in your house - bedroom, guest room, RV, vacation home. Great gift idea for everyone.
  • HIGHEST QUALITY BRUSHED MICROFIBER: A lighter difference. A softer, finer touch. These are made of the highest quality double brushed microfiber yarns. The virtually weightless wonder of CGK Unlimited sheets will have you coming back for more. Linger in your dreams.
  • GREAT SHEETS FOR THE PRICE! These are some of the softest and most affordable sheets you’ll find. Great bang for your buck as far as comfort and softness and unlike many other very expensive sheets & materials, these CGK Bed Sheets will give you comfort and softness at a reasonable price.
Rank #4
Twin Fitted Sheet, Ultra Soft Fits Up to 15 Inch Deep Pocket, Grey
  • Fitted Sheet - Twin size Fitted Sheet by Utopia Bedding measuring 39 by 75 inches with a 15 inches deep pocket that fits over-sized mattresses up to 15 inches deep and designing that complements your bed set quite well
  • All - Around Elastic - All - Around Elastic to pull in the borders to make it easily stretch and fit the base of the mattress
  • Brushed Microfiber Polyester - Breathable Brushed Microfiber Polyester fabric brings a soft and cozy feel to your bed that tempts you to stay in bed for long
  • Shrink And Fade Resistant - The microfiber material is processed to make it resistant to shrinkage and fading which adds to the longevity of the sheet by keeping it in great condition
  • Care Instructions - Machine wash cold; do not bleach; tumble dry or iron on normal temperature

Fit the sheet before securing elastic permanently

  1. Put the sheet on the mattress with the elastic still adjustable wherever your method allows.
  2. Check that every corner pocket reaches under the mattress without excessive strain and that the sheet stays in place.
  3. Adjust elastic tension or revisit the dimensions before trimming elastic to final length or closing the casing.
  4. Once the fit is satisfactory, secure the elastic ends or finish the casing as appropriate to the design.

Troubleshoot a poor fit

  • A corner is too tight: Check the mattress depth, the rectangle dimensions and corner-square size, then reduce excessive elastic tension. Do not assume a standard mattress label means the measurements are correct.
  • The sheet slips off: Check that the corner pockets are deep enough for the measured mattress and that elastic placement and tension suit the construction.
  • The fabric layers are difficult to sew: Follow the instructions for the particular fabric and pattern. Shannon Fabrics’ Cuddle pattern recommends polyester thread, a longer 3–4 mm stitch and reduced presser-foot pressure when sewing multiple layers.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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