Calling all who can sew- how do I make sheets for a bassinette?

[hairymcleary]

I have come over all domestic and decided to make sheets for my new bassinette. I have some nice cotton sheets that don't fit my new bed, so thought I would cut them up and use them when DS2 arrives.
I have a sewing machine (borrowed), but haven't used one for years. I was planning on measuring the bassinette mattress, then cutting the bed sheets to fit and hemming them. Does this sound right? Any advice appreciated!

[Miaou]

What exactly do you mean by a bassinette, hairy? Do you mean a moses basket? (rounded ends, usually made of rush-type stuff, with handles)?

[Miaou]

And do you just want to make sheets for it, or the ruffley things that go round it too?

If just the sheets, I would measure the mattress, add a good six inch margin to each side (so in fact the sheet is 12 inches bigger than you mattress measurements, IYSWIM). If you want to be really clever, then after you have hemmed them you could run some elastic through the hems and tighten up so that you have a fitted sheet (however if you were to do that I would round off the corners to get rid of the excess fabric before you do the hems).

I'll check back later to see if that's what you were after.

[hairymcleary]

Thanks Miaou- it's not a moses basket- sort of a small cot on a stand. It has an oblong mattress- I just want sheets, no ruffly things!

[chloemegjess]

so like a crib?

[Miaou]

In that case - just do as I suggested above (not the rounded bits though). Don't forget to add at least an inch for hems as well, so you have this:

1" hem + 6" turn under + measurement of bassinette + 6" turn under + 1" hem

For the hem, turn under 1/2 inch and iron it flat, then turn over another half an inch (so that the cut bit is now enclosed) and iron. Pin that then sew it.

Sorry if I'm teaching grandma to suck eggs but if you've never sewed a hem before then I guess this might not be obvious

[onFriday]

I made mine like a big pillow case and just put the whole mattress inside - stopped the sheets untucking from round the edges too.