Bed Skirts

Julie M

Dorca asked: <<I'm making a bed skirt and I measured the bed length and width but I don't know how to estimate the yardages needed. Is there any list or any information where I can find how to estimate the yardages for any project?

This is one of those things that it is easier to do than to explain, but I will try.

1) Figure the finished dimensions (for example a standard queen size bed is 60"x 80"--so for the skirt to fit 3 sides of the bed you will need 2 sides that are 80" plus one width that is 60" = 80+80+60= 220" )

2) Decide on the desired fullness--lightweight fabrics need to be fuller than heavier weights--a good average is 2 and 1/2 or 3 times the finished dimension (let's say 3--so you would multiply 3 times 220" = 660")  This means that you will gather 660" of fabric to fit the 80 + 80 + 60" edges of the mattress.

3) Figure the finished height of the bedskirt (measure from the top of the boxsprings to the floor, or to where ever you want the hemmed edge to be.(Let'suse 20") To this measurement add a hem allowance (2 1/2") and an allowance fort he top finish (1/2" seam allowance is what you would use if attaching it to a piece of fabric that will go between the mattress and box springs. Add these together (20 + 2 1/2 + 1/2 =23") This is the length you will cut your fabric to.

4) The standard width for decorator fabric is 54"  If your choice of fabric differs from this you must figure your yardage requirement based on the width of the fabric you are using. Based on the above figures: you need to cut your fabric into 23" lengths (measured along the selvedge) and piece together enough 23" lengths so that you have a piece of fabric that measures 23"x660". Using the standard 54" (660" divided by 54"= 12.22 ; let's round off to12.25 for simplicity sake). You will need 12 and 1/4 pieces of fabric (each piece will be 23" x 54") sewn together to get the 660" that you will gather.

5) To figure the yardage: since you cannot buy 1/4 of a width of fabric, you will need to purchase the equivalent of 13 pieces of fabric that are 23" long(13 x 22 = 299") or 8.3 yards (299 divided by 36). When figuring yardages always round up, so, for the skirt in this example I would buy 8 and 1/2 yards.This 'formula' will work for most home dec type project even curtains and drapes, but you will need to adjust the amounts allowed for fullness and length etc. Also, if you need to match a pattern when sewing the pieces together, you will have to allow for the pattern repeat.I hope that this answers your question--I have reread what I wrote and the instructions are correct, just don't count on my math being right.