diy striped bedding

Hey friends! So today, I thought I’d cover a little of how we made Emerson’s bedding, pillows, and curtains for her big gal space.

I’m a little bit of a self-taught seamstress {see: reluctant and intimidated and then glad I tackled it after I almost die, every single time} so I wasn’t exactly sure how this was going to work. I don’t really do patterns, but I’m a big believer in planning, measuring and cutting… and rolling with it. And it always works out, one way or another. Even if I mess it up and have to order more fabric. {Not sure why, but it does} So today, I thought I’d walk you through a little of the process, in case you wanted to make some of your own!

{Forgive the photo : it looks a bit wrinkly because Emerson has been wallowing on it… but it’s not that wrinkly in real life.}

So without further ado…

If you remember from our sources post, I sewed the fabrics/curtains from a combo of some linen scraps (Kaufman Waterford) and (Michael Miller) Broadcloth for half off. The colors were perfect with what I’d already intended for the space, and you’ll see it repeated in different ways throughout the space for anything that I sewed. Here it is again, with their links:

You can find them here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

So I thought I would include a basic diagram for both sides of the bedding. Here’s the short version of what I did: I basically laid a twin sized quilt on the floor for my pattern, and then went larger, because I knew with the style of her bed I wanted plenty of extra to tuck and work with.

I just cut the broadcloth into strips, decided which combos I liked, and sewed them together. I included the measurements for the blanket, so you can follow this, or just do your own… I honestly do not remember how many yards I ordered of each color, and thus the measurements… because it will be different for everyone depending on the amount of pillows they decide to make, if it includes curtains… etc. (And I’m scared to tell you and be wrong.) Thus the measurements below. ;}

So for the top part {the part you see on her bed when it is made up} we did this:

The hardest part of this entire project, is cutting the fabric in straight lines. So remember two things. 1. Let go of perfect. It won’t be. It will still look incredible. 2. Work on it in phases and you will be happier. ;} But my favorite part about this piece is that you can fold her bedding back, and surprise! More fun stripes.

Helpful hint no 3: These widths of each stripe on the diagram are the finished widths. When cutting, don’t forget to allow yourself at least .25 inches on each side for seam allowance. ;} It may be easier just to do your own version, but I thought I would include this for anyone who is curious.

Helpful hint no. 4: I always find it helpful to find a line in my home, like on a table or on the floor to use as my guide when cutting straight lines. It will save you many a headache!

Then one by one, I sewed strips of fabrics together. Just like a pillow, the correct (outward facing in the final piece) sides facing inward on top of each other, wrong sides out.

With each piece I added, I laid out the already-sewn pieces, and made sure the next piece would be connected correctly. Sometimes, this is the hardest part of sewing for me… I’ll forget which way is up and then I’m cursing my very existence while I break out that seam ripper because I started thinking about zombies or Tahiti… or zombies in Tahiti. Ya never quite know what’s going to pop up in that head of mine. ;}

And When I was done, I ironed down each hem line to keep it smooth on the wrong side. {the side that would be unseen and on the inside when finito}

If it helps, sew your fabrics in sections, and then join them together in bulk at the end.

Here we are, with the top side of her bedding, facing downward on the floor. I hemmed the final edges and… Tada! I could see the light at the end of the tunnel!

And then I remembered I needed another side just like it. ;}

I repeated the same steps with side two. Here’s what I did differently with the second side: I decided the inside of the blanket needed a bit of weight added to it, and if I laid both sides of the stripes down on top of each other, you could see through the broadcloth.

So I went to Walmart and purchased a king-sized white flat sheet {I figured this was cheaper than some kind of batting}, cut to size, and joined it to one side with a simple topstitch. (I was super proud of myself.)

Then, I placed both of my striped sides together, right sides in {just like a pillow} wrong sides out. Pinning each side, I sewed them together, and turned them right side out. {Cue angel voices… I was done. For now.}

Because I am not an expert, one side ended up being a little longer than the other. And I initially thought I would sew it all the way up. Instead, I left it open, and one flap on the underside can tuck away underneath the rest. I guess it was a bit of a happy accident, but I’ve decided I may fill it with her duvet later. For the summer, it makes a great coverlet.

I used this exact same process with her curtains, but they were easier because they weren’t as detailed. I cut my navy, and pink, and then folded them in half and ironed them down. Overlapping them a bit, I sewed them together with a topstitch.

I then added the linen, and kept the selvage edge, because I think that can be quite charming. One more top stitch to join them…

Lastly, I hemmed the top and bottom as well. Tada! Custom curtains at a fraction of the price. I simply used these {once silver} clips and gathered them together at the top.

Her curtain in her closet was made with the exact same process… I just reversed the blue + pink.

Her pillows? They’re just varations of her bedding. In smaller form.

So we threw it together with a table cloth and her old quilt, and we were finished!

Creating custom bedding and curtains takes a little patience, but it’s always oh so rewarding when you’re done. Definitely one of my favorite elements in any space.

Let me know if you have any questions, and of course, if you try it!

Have an inspired day, y’all!

Updated: To see the room reveal + the entire series of tutorials behind it, be sure to click here and check them out!