A dust ruffle is a type of bed skirt that hangs down with a wave, giving your bed a cute, frilly look.If you want to modify your own, buying a dust ruffle can be difficult.If you want to make a dust ruffle for your bedroom, you can choose your favorite fabric and put it together on your own.
Step 1: Add the numbers to the sides of the bed.
Measure the length of your bed with a tape measure.You need to add these numbers together to get the total length.The average size of a twin bed is 38 by 75 inches.Add 2 numbers together to get 226 inches of fabric.A full bed is typically 54 by 75 inches.Add 2 numbers together to get 258 inches of fabric.Queen beds are usually 60 by 80 inches.Add 2 numbers together to get a total of 280 inches of fabric.King beds are usually 76 by 80 inches.Add 2 numbers together to get a total of 312 inches of fabric.If you have a headboard, you don't need to include that side in your measurement because the dust ruffle will not cover that area of the bed.
Step 2: To get your fabric length, multiply your measurement by 2.
The fabric will shrink since you will be ruffling the top of the dust ruffle.If you want to get the correct length of fabric, you have to take your length and width measurement of the bed and divide it by 2.If you had a total measurement of 226 inches, divide it by 2 to get 552 inches.
Step 3: Add 2 in for the width from the mattress to the floor.
The top of the floor is where the dust ruffle should sit.If you want to know how wide your fabric needs to be, use your tape measure again.You need 17 inches (43 cm) of width for the fabric in most beds, but it is always a good idea to double check.
Step 4: Measure the length and width of the fabric you want to cut.
To figure out the width of the strip, use the measurement from the bed to the floor plus 2 inches and the length of your bed frame as a reference.Cut your fabric with sharp scissors.If you don't have a long enough piece of fabric, cut out 2 to 4 strips with an additional 1 in on all sides.The connecting sides should have a seam allowance of 1.5 inches on the right side.You can use a straight stitch to make a strip.Cut a strip of fabric that is 17 inches wide if the distance from your bed to the floor is less than 38 cm.
Step 5: The hem should be in the bottom of your fabric.
If you have the wrong side of the fabric facing you, pin it in place by folding the bottom 1 in of it up.To hem the bottom of your sewing machine, run the fabric through it and use a straight stitch.If you want to avoid having to hem it yourself, you can choose fabric that is already hemmed on one side and add 1 in to the floor.A fabric curtain that has a hem on the bottom is a drop cloth.
Step 6: The top edge should be sewed from the edge with a long straight stitch.
The long stitch on your sewing machine creates large gaps between the stitches.You can leave tails of thread on either side of the fabric by running the top edge of it through your sewing machine.You can use the ruffler foot on your sewing machine.
Step 7: There is another line of straight stitch from the edge.
The line of straight stitches will be parallel to the line you already have in place.Leave 5 in (13 cm) tails of thread on either side of the line of stitching.Adding another line of stitching doesn't need to be done if you used a ruffler.
Step 8: To ruffle the edge, tug the top 2 threads.
Pull on the top 2 threads to crinkle the edge of the fabric.They are even if you move from the left side to the right side.The thread could break if you go too quickly.If you use a ruffler, your fabric will be bunched together so you don't have to pull any thread.
Step 9: Cut off the excess threads by tying them together.
Once your fabric is ruffled, tie the ends of the thread on either side in a tight knot.Cut off the hanging bits of thread with scissors.About 1/2 of the length that it started as is what your dust ruffle should be.For example, if your fabric was 452 inches, it should be 226 inches.To make sure it fits around your bed, you may want to double check this before you finish your dust ruffle.
Step 10: There are hooks and loops on your sheet.
Attach a hook and loop to your bed sheet with either a hand sew or sewing machine.Attach them by placing 20 to 30 of them around the entire length of your dust ruffle and sheet.You can find hooks and loops at craft supply stores.