Sheets into Crib Sheets?

[WeasleyMum]

Hello crafty sewing mamas! I have a question for you all. I have two sets of flannel sheets (cheap, from Target, several years old) that are no longer usable due to huge holes in DH's side, as well as the fabric in that area where it is not torn getting very thin and worn. (I do not understand what he does to sheets in his sleep, but whatever.) Because we have a queen-sized bed, the intact side of the bottom sheet (aka MY side) plus the whole top sheet of each set equals a LOT of usable (?) flannel... can I re-make them into crib sheets for our baby that's coming in May?

1. Are there any safety/ hygeine reasons not to do this?

2. Would a flannel bottom sheet be too warm in the summer for a baby? (We plan to cosleep, but DH thinks that we will need somewhere to "put the baby" from time to time, hence the crib.)

3. I imagine that to do this, I would simply need to cut the material to size, sew a what-you-call-it, pocket-seam-thingie around the edge, thread elastic through it, and then maybe sew a zigzag over the elastic to keep it from shifting? Or is there more to this than I'm envisioning?

4. Would this actually be worthwhile, or would it just be a lot of work for not much result? I haven't actually priced new sheets yet, and am really just looking for a way to use this flannel, since it seems so wasteful to just chuck it. (I know some of you will suggest making diapers from it, but they're both large-scale, wintry plaids that would look really weird once cut down to baby-diaper size.)

Thanks in advance for any help!

[flapjack]

Unless you are entirely certain that this baby is going to be a one and only, I would buy some nice jersey bottom sheets for the summer and cut the big flannel sheets down to size for the crib. I wouldn't faff around with elasticating it though, I prefer flat sheets because they're more versatile.
I personally would cut down the top sheets for flat crib sheets and I'd use your side for mama pads. You might also want to consider a washable bed pad because night-times after giving birth (especially with a newborn in the bed) can be horrendously messy.

[songbird45]

I second not messing around with elastic. Learn to make hospital corners with flat sheets (it takes about 3 seconds to do) and just use them flat.

[scrapadoozer]

1. Are there any safety/ hygeine reasons not to do this?

Not that I know of.

2. Would a flannel bottom sheet be too warm in the summer for a baby? (We plan to cosleep, but DH thinks that we will need somewhere to "put the baby" from time to time, hence the crib.)

I don't think so. It's much softer than most similar weight wovens as well.

3. I imagine that to do this, I would simply need to cut the material to size, sew a what-you-call-it, pocket-seam-thingie around the edge, thread elastic through it, and then maybe sew a zigzag over the elastic to keep it from shifting? Or is there more to this than I'm envisioning?

I used this pattern. I can make a sheet in way less than an hour. You can use the squares you cut out to make flannel wipes. Bonus!

[KristyDi]

I made a few crib sheets using the method pp liked. It was really easy and took 20-30 min a sheet.

[WeasleyMum]

Excellent, thank you all! It's great knowing all that flannel won't go to waste.

[mamavegan]

nak

Thanks for the link scrapadoozer!

Since the OP's question is answered, I'd love to add another.

Crib matresses are typically 27.5" x 52. The pattern calls for a piece of fabric 70" x 40". I have a toddler mattress that is 27.5 x 63. What size fabric do I need and do I still cut 9" squares or do I need to cut them larger?

TIA! I'm a novice sewer, so any iinfo is appreciated.

[MommaGreenBean]

I did this out of our flat sheets (we only use the fitted sheet)

I just tried to type it out and couldn't really describe it without pictures, but I found this- it's basically the same thing as I did.
http://everythingyourmamamade.com/20...heet-tutorial/
That's what I did. It was super quick. I actually did it when I was transitioning her out of our bed and wanted to make her crib as similar to our bed as possible, so the flat sheet worked well for that.

[Lazy Gardens]

Originally Posted by mamavegan

nak

Crib matresses are typically 27.5" x 52. The pattern calls for a piece of fabric 70" x 40". I have a toddler mattress that is 27.5 x 63. What size fabric do I need and do I still cut 9" squares or do I need to cut them larger?

Just add 11 inches to the length and follow the instructions.

[mamavegan]

thanks! sometimes i complicate things too much, i see.

[VOBetz]

I've made numerous flannel fitted crib sheets for our crib and toddler beds. They are easy.

You don't have to put elastic around the entire sheet. I have done it that way, but you can also have it extend 12 inches from each side of the corners. There are great tutorials online. I googled make a fitted crib sheet...

And our flannel is NOT too hot in the summer. And its hot here in the summer.