In this post: Make your own pleated bed skirt using a flat bed sheet by following this super simple how-to DIY tutorial! It looks amazing and will be a perfect fit!
While I love to DIY, you may have noticed that my DIY projects rarely involve a sewing machine. That would be because my sewing abilities are limited to sewing a simple stitch in a kinda straight line. So when I couldn’t find a bedskirt that I liked for my daughter’s newly redone room, sewing one was definitely not plan A. But after striking out on finding one I liked, needing to get the room done ASAP for the One Room Challenge, and realizing that the cute polka dot sheet set I just bought from HomeGoods (with no thought of a bedskirt at the time) looked better than I expected with my daughter’s new duvet, plan B (aka turning my polka dot flat sheet into a bedskirt) was born.
What convinced me to take the plunge is realizing that the finished edges around the flat sheet would work perfectly for the bottom edge of a bedskirt so there actually wasn’t going to be that much sewing involved. I’ve seen some great DIY sewn bedskirts but when push comes to shove, I get too intimidated when too much sewing is involved. Also, using a flat sheet was cheap and I loved that I would be able to throw it in the wash when needed.
It turned out to be a much simpler project than I ever would have expected and I LOVE that the bedskirt fits the bed perfectly and looks custom-made (because, well…it is!). (post includes affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here})
Here’s the how-to on this simple DIY:
1. If your sheet is new, wash it first. {A huge perk of the flat sheet-turned-bedskirt is that if something gets on one of the bedskirt panels, you can just spot treat it and throw it in the washer BUT since the fabric might shrink the first time it’s washed, wash & shrink it before making it into your bedskirt.}
2. Figure out a few measurements (the size of your flat sheet and the size of your box spring) and get your math on to figure out how you’re going to cut the panel sizes that you need out of your sheet. I was able to use an oversized full sheet to make a bedskirt for my full bed but sheets are not consistently sized so check your measurements before buying your sheet to make sure you don’t have to go up a sheet size. You will need the following (these are finished sizes):
- Two side panels that each measure the length of the box spring (from the head to the foot of the bed) minus 3 1/2″ (because it will stop 3 1/2″ from the bottom corner of the bed), plus 5″ for the pleat, plus any additional inches that you want the side panel to extend beyond the top end of the boxspring. I extended my bed skirt about 3 1/2″ beyond the top end of the boxspring so my final, finished panel length was simply the length of the box spring +5″ . If you cut yours out in the same way that I did below, you’ll have one unfinished end that will need to be sewn or taped so add about 1/2″ or so to that measurement when cutting out your piece.
- One end panel that measures the width of the box spring minus 7″ (because it will stop 3 1/2″ from each side) plus 5″ for the pleat. In other words, your final, finished length will be the width of the box spring minus 2″. Again, if you cut yours out like I did, you’ll have one unfinished end that will need to be sewn or taped so add about 1/2″ or so to that measurement when cutting.
- Two corner panels that are each about 16″ in length.
- If you have a standard height bed, make each of your panels about 16-18″ tall. For taller beds, make the panels a few inches taller (the height doesn’t need to be exact).
Here’s the plan that I went with for cutting out the panels for my bedskirt:
When you’re planning the cutting of your panels, keep in mind that most flat sheets have a wider folded edge at the top of the sheet. If you want to avoid using the wider folded edge as as one of the pre-finished edges on your two side panels, take that into account. I used the wider folded edge as the edge of each side panel that is closest to the head of the bed and actually like the look of it: 
So that you have the least amount of sewing to do, plan the cutting of your panels in a way that most of the edges that will show are pre-finished edges. With my layout, all I ended up having to sew was a few short stitches to make each of the three pleats (more on that in a minute) and three short straight lines (in pink). All of the other cuts (in green) won’t show on the finished bedskirt so can remain unfinished:
3. It’s time to get the sewing machine out and sew the few edges that need sewing (or you can cheat and use Stitch Witchery available {here} – I won’t tell!) along with a box pleat in the center of each of the two side panels and the end panel. Did I just lose you there with the mention of box pleats? No worries – I used my friend Jennifer’s tutorial of how to make them {here} and it was super easy! Each pleat will end up looking like this:
4. Once all of your panels are sewn or Stitch Witched up, give them a quick iron before putting them on the bed.
5. Put the two corner pieces on the bed first, centering them on the corner, wrapping them around both sides, and then pinning them in place at the top of the box spring. I used simple straight pins with large heads to do my pinning but you can buy bedskirt pins available {here} if you want to hold the panels on even more securely. After your corner pieces are pinned in place, you can pin your foot and side panels in place, overlapping the corner piece.
No one will ever know if the edges of those corner pieces are left all ratty since they’ll be covered up:
And….we’re done! The whole project was finished in less than two hours (with a big chunk of that time spent on the measuring, layout, and ironing). I seriously don’t think I’ll ever buy a pre-made bedskirt again.
Thanks for stopping by!
Great job! Last spring I made simple curtain valences out of a bed skirt.
Thanks! Love that idea!!
My grandmother had very High beds, we had to use a step stool to get in them. She used spring rods and flat sheets for bed skirts. Her bed had posts so the rods were against the post.
I will have to attempt to make these for my bed
I’ve never heard of doing that before but it’s so smart! Thanks for sharing Jenny!
you are awesome
i love it- it looks perfect and i love the pattern mix!
I need a bed skirt and this post is my inspiration!
Love that – I’m sure it will turn out great!
Love this Kris!! What a fun and easy DIY
This is great!
Love the dots, they look fabulous and great tutorial. I make tailored dust ruffles too, love them.
Great Job….and so easy!
I too can’t sew a stitch Kris, so this is perfect for me! THANKS a bunch! It looks fabulous!
I love how this turned out, Kris! I think the dots mix perfectly with the other patterns too. Great job!
Brilliant! It looks great! I hate to sew and don’t even own a machine anymore so no-sew projects are a must for me!
Great idea! I can never find a bed skirt that I like anyway – problem solved!
I love this! Because the bed skirts they sell at retail are awful, lol!! I also hate sewing 🙂
I couldn’t agree more – they are are too frilly and either too short or too long!
I use T-pins for this type of finishing. They are strong and reliable. Your project is very nice! I love the dots – I wonder how many finished edges have the dots lined up perfectly?
Thanks for the tip on the T-pins – I haven’t used those before. The dots were lined up fairly well along the edges of my sheet but definitely not perfectly. I also didn’t align the dots as well as I probably should have when making the pleats but I don’t think it’s noticeable unless you’re really studying it.
Am I looking at this wrong or is the bed skirt just attached to the box spring?
No, you’re right – it is attached to the box spring.
This is brilliant ! Thanks for the idea. 🙂
Glad you liked it – thanks for stopping by!
Very cool. I wonder if I could use a full size flat sheet to use on my queen size bed?
It would probably work just fine if you were willing to cut a piece or two from the center of the sheet (which would mean having to sew a few more unfinished edges than what I had to do) but I don’t think you’ll be able to lay it out the same way that I did (maximizing the refinished edges) and make it work for a queen bed. My full sized flat sheet (which was a few inches bigger than most) was just barely big enough for my full bed.
I would like to make a bed skirt for king size bed will king flat sheet work?
King flat sheets come in various sizes and most of them will be big enough to work to make a king bedskirt but if you do the math (see step 2) you’ll know for sure if the specific size sheet that you have will work. Hope it goes well!
Awesome idea! I would hot glue them instead of pinning them though.
Thanks Lee!
I can’t sew either so will have to use the stitch wichery. I’m getting rid of box springs and using my mattress on a steel frame. So can someone give me ideas on how to use this idea on it.
Thank you.
Kletta, if you’re doing this on a steel frame, you can probably do it the exact same way but just tape the fabric to the steel frame!
Thank you for your reply. That’s what I’ll do,use velcro.
I never buy a bed skirt anymore-too expensive and they never fit or look neat. I use upholstery or some other heavier fabric and I sew flat panels! Never thought of using a sheet-great idea. I’ve used quilter’s safety pins, which are curved, to attach the skirt to the box spring of my kid’s beds. On my bed I’ve stapled. Just vacuum regularly to keep clean, and by the time it needs washing, I’m ready to redecorate anyway.
I’m with you Alice – after making my own for this project I don’t know that I’ll ever buy one again. Love your tips for the quilter’s safety pins – thanks!
Thank you for giving me some ideas! I was worried that the stick pins would not be strong enough to withstand daily bed making etc.
I once had a shaker style bed that I could not find a bed skirt for. The footboard and height of the bed made it seemingly impossible. I ended up buying valances that matched my window treatments and pinned them on the box spring like you did, even folded, ironed and pined in a box pleat. It was more expensive than a sheet, but I just loved how it looked when I was done. Also loved the weight of the drapery fabric.
I bet that it’s beautiful Lisa – great idea!!
thanks so much for this inspiration! Just completed making a beautiful bed skirt with a coverlet that I have never liked the looks of on the bed. The heavier quilted fabric makes it hang beautifully. Pinned in a box pleat on the end and pressed it while in place with a flat iron. It looks gorgeous!
I’m so glad that it worked out so well for you Lauri! Love the idea of using a coverlet!
Is there a way to attach that doesnt use pins, maybe sewing to the fitted sheet? I am afraid of damaging an expensive matress set since the top mattress shifts sometimes.
Hi Sherry,
Honestly I don’t see why you couldn’t just use easily removable painter’s tape to tape it to the box spring since it wouldn’t show! I don’t know if it would keep it in place as well as pins but it would be worth a shot!
Really love what you did with this. Looks easy but I am sure it wouldn’t end up looking like that if I tried it! Beautiful fresh looking design to your blog by the way. Saw this because a fellow blogger added you to one of my Pinterest boards. Lovely to have something from a different blogging niche on there. Beautiful!
Trust me, if I can do the minimal amount of sewing needed to make this bed skirt, anyone can (I’m a horrible sewer!). Thanks for stopping by the blog 🙂
Love this idea. We have a pillowtop mattress with a boxspring that is not as high as standard boxspring. It was recommended to buy shorter boxspring because the pillow top is higher. Sounded great, but the bedskirts are too long. Next mattress purchase will be standard size boxspring. Like using sheets idea and pinning instead of trying to manuever it under the mattress. Will look for interesting flat sheets and try it soon. Great idea!
Sounds like this is a great solution for your situation! I have loved the one I made and am so happy it doesn’t shift around like a typical bed skirt!
I can’t wait to do this as soon as I find the right sheet! I will also use the extra fabric to match some throw pillows for the bed to tie it all in. I am not concerned with the sewing, but anytime I can save time I will! Definitely a time saver using the pre finished edges on the sheet. I used to wash mine and reuse but this makes it so affordable I can change them out!
I’m glad you were inspired to give it a try! It’s one of my favorite projects!
Would attaching the skirt to a fitted sheet work? I worry about
shifting every time the bed sheets are changed
I’m sure you could do it that way Joyce! I’ve actually found that it shifts around a lot less attached to the box spring with upholstery pins than my regular bed skirts do!
This was awesome. I made one this afternoon for my daughter’s canopy bed. Very simple however I did my box pleat on the right side so didn’t get my inverted pleat like I wanted but it still looks cute and my daughter loves the way it looks. Thanks!
I’m so glad it worked well for you!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a sweet comment!
Hi Kris, so glad to see your idea. I recently found a piece of material and made the same thing even with the pleats in the center. However I didn’t even think to make it come over the top of the boxspring. I thought attaching it to the sides with Velcro was a grand idea. Unfortunately the material on the boxspring is satin and it won’t hold the Velcro well. I have to reattach occasionally or use safety pins. Your idea would have solved the problem by making it wide enough to come up between the mattress and boxspring. Did you really just leave the pins in? Do you get poked when changing the sheets? I think I’ll get a sheet and add it to the top so it will stay better like you did! Brilliant!
I switched my straight pins out to the corkscrew bedskirt pins I linked in the post and they work great!!
It is just wonderful !! I love the colour of your bedroom, everything is so nice. Thank you !! I will try !!
Thank you! Hope it turns out great!!
Great idea . Looked for so long for a bed skirt.We have a King sleep number with hard plastic instead of box springs Going to use tape. Little concerned how I am going to do corners because we have a foot board .any suggestions?
Hi Linda! I would think that you’ll be able to make it work with a footboard too just by tucking the bed skirt end behind it. Good luck!
This looks like such a good idea. After Christmas I will be trying this. Thank you
I hope it works out well for you Carol! Merry Christmas!
You can always use the center part that isn’t used for the bed skirt to make one or two matching throw pillows or pillow shams for the bed.
That’s a great idea Grace!
Brilliant!
You’re so sweet – thanks Shirley!
How did you attach the pieces to the box spring?
I initially used straight pins but ended up switching them out for the bedskirt pins I linked in the post!
This is beautiful! I have a box spring that needs covering. You make it look so easy. I’m not sure I’ll find it easy! Did you remove the mattress to put this on?
Thanks Myrna! No, I didn’t remove the mattress – I just pushed it over toward the other side of the bed to do the sides and lifted it up to do the end 🙂
My biggest problem is the King bedskirts are white. and that doesn’t make it with my color scheme.
Love this idea. Have a question about the measurement of the foot of the bed. I understand adding 5″ to the side measurement to accommodate the pleat, but do not get the minus 2″ for the foot. Don’t you need to add for the pleat here, too? Seems like it will be too short. How many inches do the pleats take up? Thanks in advance.
Hi Adelle,
I added a few more details about how I arrived at those measurements in my post so if you re-read it now, hopefully it will make sense where I got those numbers from 🙂
I want to purchase a headboard but I have a box spring and mattress. Looks like you have this in your daughter’s room. Question: it looks like it is possible to have a sizable headboard without a platform bed. Is this correct? I think this is how your daughter’s bed is. Hope to hear from you.
I actually made my daughter’s headboard because I had the same problem and couldn’t find a fall enough one – here’s a link to the post on how it was made: https://www.drivenbydecor.com/how-to-make-simple-upholstered-headboard/
Beautifully done! I so want to make one. Thank you for beautiful pics and tutorial!
Thanks Laura! I’m so glad that you found it helpful!
I must really be brainless bc I have read these instructions several times and theres one thing I don’t get.
“plus 5″ for the pleat, plus any additional inches that you want the side panel to extend beyond the top end of the boxspring.”
can you please explain what you mean by this? What is extending beyond the TOP end mean?
What I mean by extending beyond the top end is extending closer to wall than where the boxspring ends. If you look at your bed, typically there’s several inches between where the boxspring ends and the wall. It’s how many inches you want it to extend beyond the boxspring.