Hide the Mess: DIY Bed Skirts That Work Wonders

Do you look at your bed and feel something is missing?

That gap between your box spring and the floor breaks the clean lines of your bedroom. Most people spend hours searching for the perfect bed skirt, only to find options that don’t fit right or match their decor.

But here’s the good news – you can make a custom bed skirt that fits your exact bed size and style preferences. This guide shows you how to create a beautiful gathered bed skirt with basic sewing skills.

By the end, you’ll have a professional-looking bed skirt that adds the perfect finishing touch to your bedroom. Let’s start making your custom bed skirt today!

What is the Right Fabric for Bed Skirts?

When selecting fabric for bed skirts, consider both function and style. The best fabrics hang well, maintain their shape, and complement your bedroom decor.

Popular Fabric Options:

• Cotton: Durable, easy to wash, and comes in many patterns and weights. Medium-weight cotton offers good drape without being too stiff or too limp.
• Linen: Provides a casual, textured look with excellent drape. It wrinkles easily but many find this adds to its charm.
• Polyester blends: Resist wrinkles, hold their shape well, and are often less expensive. Good for low-maintenance bed skirts.
• Velvet: Creates a rich, luxurious look with beautiful drape, as used in the example project. Works well in formal bedrooms or cooler climates.
• Silk or satin: Offers elegant shine and smooth drape. More challenging to work with and typically requires dry cleaning.

For the deck (the part that sits between the mattress and box spring), use a lightweight, sturdy fabric that won’t add bulk. Cotton muslin, lightweight cotton, or drapery lining work well as they stay in place without shifting.

Make an Unlined Gathered Bed Skirt: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making a bed skirt may seem like a big task, but with some time, patience, and space, you can create a beautiful custom bed skirt that fits your bed perfectly. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Tools and Materials Needed

Material	Purpose	Notes
Main fabric	For the skirt portion	Amount depends on bed size and desired fullness
Lightweight fabric	For the deck portion	Drapery lining or old sheet works well
Thread	For sewing	Match color to main fabric
Strong cord	For gathering technique	Needs to be stronger than regular thread
Pins	For securing fabric	You’ll need plenty for attaching gathered sections
Measuring tape	For accurate measurements	Fabric tape measure works best
Scissors	For cutting fabric	Fabric scissors provide clean cuts
Sewing machine	For construction	Basic straight and zigzag stitches needed
Iron	For pressing hems	Makes for professional-looking results
Marking tool	For marking sections	Chalk, washable marker, or pins

Step 1: Take Measurements

Start by measuring the length and width of your box spring. My example uses a full-size bed with box spring dimensions of 53 inches wide by 74 inches long.

Next, decide how long you want your bed skirt to hang down, known as the “drop.” In the example, a 15.5-inch drop was chosen. Then add up the three sides of the bed that will have the skirt: one long side, the foot of the bed, and the other long side. For our full-size bed, this equals 74 + 53 + 74 = 201 inches total length.

Step 2: Calculate Fabric Needs

Decide how full you want your bed skirt to look. The fullness factor ranges from 1.5 to 3 times the actual measurement, with 2.5 times giving a nicely gathered look.

Multiply your total length around the three sides by your fullness factor. In our example, 201 inches × 2.5 = 502.5 inches. Add a few inches for side hems—rounding up to 504 inches makes calculations easier.

For the drop length, add 3 inches to your desired finished length for hems. A 15.5-inch drop needs fabric cut to 18.5 inches. Calculate total yardage based on your fabric width and cutting plan. With 56-inch wide fabric, three strips can be cut across the width, requiring about 4.75 yards of fabric.

Step 3: Cut and Prepare Your Fabric

Cut your skirt fabric according to your calculations. For our example, we need strips 18.5 inches by 168 inches (our total needed length of 504 inches divided by 3 cuts from the width).

Cut the deck fabric 1 inch wider and 2 inches longer than your box spring measurements. For our full-size bed, the deck would be 54 inches by 76 inches.

Sew width sections of skirt fabric together if needed to create one long piece. Finish all raw edges with a serger, zigzag stitch, or overlock stitch to prevent fraying and give a neater finish to your project.

Step 4: Hem the Skirt

First, create narrow hems on both short ends of the skirt fabric using a double half-inch turned hem. Next, decide on your bottom hem style.

You can make a double 1-inch hem for a more structured look, which works well if you plan to add decorative stitching. This is done by turning up 2 inches, pressing, then folding again to the fold line, creating a double 1-inch hem. Alternatively, use a double half-inch hem for a lighter look.

Press all hems well and topstitch for a clean finish. If desired, add decorative stitching along the bottom hem using your sewing machine’s decorative stitch options.

Step 5: Prepare the Deck

Finish the top edge (headboard end) of the deck with a double half-inch hem and topstitch it down. This edge will never show but should be finished nicely.

Now mark the deck into sections to help with gathering distribution. Fold the deck lengthwise and mark the center of the foot with a pin or chalk. Fold widthwise and mark centers of the long sides.

Fold again to create quarter marks on the long sides. These markings will serve as reference points when attaching your gathered skirt.

Step 6: Prepare the Skirt for Gathering

Apply a gathering stitch along the top edge of the skirt fabric using a zigzag stitch over a strong cord or thread. Keep the cord free at both ends for pulling.

This method allows for gathering large amounts of fabric more easily than traditional basting stitches. Next, mark the skirt into sections that match your deck markings.

Fold the skirt in half, aligning the finished ends, and mark the center fold with a double pin. Divide your skirt into sections that correspond to your deck sections, but multiplied by your fullness factor. For example, if your deck has 18.5-inch sections and you’re using 2.5× fullness, each skirt section should be about 46 inches.

Step 7: Gather and Attach

Start at one end of your bed skirt and pull the gathering cord to adjust the first section. Pin this gathered section to the corresponding section on the deck, right sides together.

Continue gathering and pinning each section, moving along one side of the bed skirt from top to bottom. Distribute gathers evenly within each section. Secure the gathering cord when that side is complete by wrapping it in a figure-eight around a pin.

Move to the foot of the bed, pulling the cord from the center in both directions to gather this section. Finally, gather the remaining long side from top to bottom. Take time to adjust all gathers until they look even and are properly distributed across all sections.

Step 8: Sew the Skirt to the Deck

Take your pinned project to the sewing machine. Stitch about 3/4 inch from the edge to ensure you catch all the gathers and cover your zigzag gathering stitches.

Sew slowly, adjusting gathers as needed while stitching. Be patient during this step, as you’re working with multiple layers and gathered fabric. Keep the fabric flat as you sew, and make sure your stitching line is consistent throughout the entire perimeter of the bed skirt.

Step 9: Final Touches

Trim any loose threads from your finished bed skirt. If needed, press the seam between the skirt and deck to help it lay flat. Your bed skirt is now ready to use.

Place it on your bed with the deck between the mattress and box spring, allowing the skirt portion to hang down around the sides and foot of the bed. The finished product should have a nice, even gather all around with a clean bottom hem at your desired height from the floor.

Tips for Success

• Take your time with measurements and calculations.
• Use plenty of pins when attaching the gathered skirt to the deck.
• Be patient when sewing through multiple layers and gathers.
• Press your hems well for a professional finish.

Video Tutorial

For a visual tutorial, refer to this video by Hobby Lobby

Is It OK Not to Use a Bed Skirt?

Absolutely! Using a bed skirt is entirely a matter of personal preference and style choice. Many modern bedroom designs skip bed skirts altogether. Here are some considerations about going without a bed skirt:

Advantages of skipping the bed skirt:

• Creates a cleaner, more minimal look that fits well with contemporary design
• Makes it easier to clean under the bed and reduces dust collection
• Simplifies bed-making, with no need to adjust the skirt
• Works well with platform beds, beds with decorative frames, or beds with built-in storage

When you might want a bed skirt:

• To hide items stored under the bed
• To conceal a metal bed frame or box spring
• To add a finishing touch to a traditional or formal bedroom style
• To add color, pattern, or texture to the bedroom design
• To create visual balance when using thick mattresses or toppers

Conclusion

Creating your own bed skirt puts you in control of your bedroom style. Through this step-by-step process, you’ve learned how to measure, calculate, and construct a custom bed skirt that perfectly fits your bed.

Whether you choose luxurious velvet, crisp cotton, or flowing linen, your handmade bed skirt adds a personal touch that store-bought options can’t match.

Remember, the key to success lies in accurate measurements and patient gathering. If you found this guide helpful, why not share your finished project photos with our community?

Happy sewing, and enjoy your beautifully finished bed