Want to know how to make a bed skirt with little to no sewing? This easy DIY bed skirt is made using a simple sheet! 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 room, sewing one was definitely not plan A. But after striking out on finding one I liked and realizing that the cute polka dot sheet set I just bought from HomeGoods would make the cutest bed skirt, 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 for this simple DIY:
1. Wash, Dry, & Iron the Sheet You’re Going to Use
If your sheet is new, wash it first because if it’s going to shrink, you want it to shrink before you size it perfectly for your bed skirt. One of the perks of having a 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! And you want to iron your sheet too so you have accurate measurements before you do any cutting.
2. Figure Our the Sizes for Your Bed Skirt Panels
Knowing the size of your flat sheet and the size of your box spring, 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 ½″ (because it will stop 3 ½″ 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 ½″ 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 ½″ 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 ½″ 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 ½″ 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:
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3. Sew Any Unfinished Edges (Or Use Stitch Witchery!)
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. Attach Your New Bed Skirt Panels
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):
Thanks for stopping by!
Carol says
This looks like such a good idea. After Christmas I will be trying this. Thank you
Kris Jarrett says
I hope it works out well for you Carol! Merry Christmas!
Linda parker says
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?
Kris Jarrett says
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!
Isolde says
I have done this for several beds. But I attached the skirt to a fitted sheet that goes on the box spring. It’s easier to make the bed and to wash it. I’ve never found any of the mattress pins to hold for very long and shift when changing sheets. Your fabric choices go together beautifully. Thanks for sharing.
Bernadette says
It is just wonderful !! I love the colour of your bedroom, everything is so nice. Thank you !! I will try !!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you! Hope it turns out great!!
Jina says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
I switched my straight pins out to the corkscrew bedskirt pins I linked in the post and they work great!!
MomTom says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad it worked well for you!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a sweet comment!
Joyce says
Would attaching the skirt to a fitted sheet work? I worry about
shifting every time the bed sheets are changed
Kris Jarrett says
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!
Becky says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m glad you were inspired to give it a try! It’s one of my favorite projects!
Mary Jo says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
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!
Gilly Maddison says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
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 🙂
sherry says
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.
Kris Jarrett says
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!
Lauri hallock says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad that it worked out so well for you Lauri! Love the idea of using a coverlet!
Lisa B. says
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.
Kris Jarrett says
I bet that it’s beautiful Lisa – great idea!!
Alice says
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.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
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!
Linda Koonts says
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.
Kletta G says
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.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
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!
Kletta G says
Thank you for your reply. That’s what I’ll do,use velcro.
Lee wilson says
Awesome idea! I would hot glue them instead of pinning them though.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Lee!
Anonymous says
I would like to make a bed skirt for king size bed will king flat sheet work?
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
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!