A Crib Sheet with Piping Tutorial...it's finally here!!!

Please read through all instructions before you begin!!   

You will need to choose 3 fabrics.  Your base, (mine is red) sides (aqua) and piping fabric.

Base should measure 29" x 52", for the sides you will need two pieces  8 1/2" by 30",  and two pieces 8 1/2" by 53".  For the piping fabric you will need 5 strips of fabric measuring  2 x 42inches.   don't forget your actual piping cord!!  I used  Simplicity 4/32".  You will also need 2 yards of 1/4" elastic.

First cut out your fabric pieces

Cut off the edges of your selvedges for your piping fabric

Once you have cut off the edges of your selvedges on your piping fabric, sew all of your pieces together  .  Iron your seams flat.

When you have sewn all your piping fabric together , make your piping.  I use my zipper foot for this

Piping is done!!!!

Sew your piping onto the right side of your base fabric, matching raw  edges.

The corners are tricky!  I cut the corners a bit to help ease the piping around  the corners of the base.   Don't worry, it's going to be fabulous!!!  

When you come to the end of the piping and you need to join the ends, , I sort of criss cross them  so there won't be too much bulk.  don't forget to backstitch!

Now it's time for the sides!  Sew ALL of them together.  Start with one long side, one short side, one long side and then one short side, and then that short side to the long side.     When you're done it should look like  a tube.   

We are going to make the casing for the elastic first, so turn under the edge about 1/4" and iron!

Now turn that under about 5/8" and iron it down

Now sew all around on the edge, leaving about 1 1/2' opening.  This is where you will put your elastic once you're all done,  but not yet!!

Now it's time to pin the sides onto the base like this!!   

Once you've pinned it, sew it as close the the piping as you can get!!!!   Once you're done I zig zag my seams.  I suppose if you have a serger you would serge!  Frankly I'm too intimidated to purchase a serger, I am sure I would never be able to thread it :)

This is how it looks all sewn together, isn't it lovely?   Now it's time to put your elastic on!!  I attach a safety pin to the elastic, and then work the elastic through the casing.    

Once you have worked your elastic into the casing be sure to sew your elastic pieces together.  I like to use a small zig zag stitch, just to make sure it's secure.  Now sew together the opening and.....

 Look!  A nice crib sheet with piping.  It's not that hard!!!!