DIY Dreamy Bedspreads: A Comprehensive Guide to Sewing Your Own

Tired of generic, store-bought bedspreads that lack personality? Want to add a touch of your own unique style to your bedroom sanctuary? Then it’s time to dive into the rewarding world of DIY bedspreads! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from choosing the right fabric to adding those final, personal touches. Whether you’re a seasoned sewer or just starting out, you’ll find the information and inspiration you need to create a bedspread that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Why Make Your Own Bedspread?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why making your own bedspread is such a fantastic idea:

• Personalization: You have complete control over the fabric, pattern, color, and embellishments, allowing you to create a bedspread that perfectly matches your style and existing décor.
• Cost-Effective: Often, creating your own bedspread can be significantly cheaper than purchasing a high-quality one from a retailer, especially if you’re using repurposed or discounted fabrics.
• Unique Design: You can craft a truly unique piece that no one else will have, adding a personalized touch to your bedroom.
• Creative Outlet: Sewing is a relaxing and fulfilling creative endeavor. Making a bedspread gives you a tangible project to work on and a sense of accomplishment.
• Custom Sizing: Have an unusual bed size? No problem! You can customize the dimensions of your bedspread to fit perfectly.
• Quality Control: You choose the quality of the fabric and the construction, ensuring a bedspread that will last for years to come.

Choosing the Right Fabric

The first crucial step in creating a beautiful bedspread is selecting the right fabric. Consider these factors when making your choice:

Fabric Weight and Drape

• Lightweight Fabrics: Think cotton voile, linen, or lightweight cotton. These are great for warmer climates and create a relaxed, breezy look. They tend to drape beautifully but may not offer much warmth.
• Medium-Weight Fabrics: Cotton, twill, or blends like cotton-polyester are versatile and suitable for most climates. They offer a good balance of drape, durability, and warmth.
• Heavy-Weight Fabrics: Consider fabrics like quilted cotton, velvet, chenille, or heavy linen for a more luxurious look and added warmth. These fabrics tend to have a more structured drape.

Fabric Type

• Cotton: A popular choice due to its breathability, durability, and ease of care. Ideal for everyday use.
• Linen: Known for its natural texture and breathability, linen is a great option for a relaxed, casual look. It wrinkles easily but adds to its charm.
• Polyester: Wrinkle-resistant and durable, polyester is a cost-effective option, often found in blends.
• Velvet: Adds a touch of luxury and sophistication. It’s best for decorative bedspreads and requires more care.
• Chenille: Soft and cozy, chenille creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. It can be more prone to snags.
• Quilted Fabric: Provides a built-in layer of warmth and texture. Often pre-quilted or you can add batting and quilting to your fabric of choice.

Pattern and Color

• Solid Colors: Offer a versatile and timeless look. Great for showcasing textures or allowing accent pillows to stand out.
• Prints: From florals to geometric patterns, prints can add personality and charm to your bedspread. Consider the overall aesthetic of your bedroom.
• Color Palette: Choose colors that complement your walls, furniture, and existing decor. Consider creating a mood board to help you visualize your choices.

Fabric Considerations

• Durability: Choose a fabric that can withstand regular use and washing.
• Care Instructions: Consider how much maintenance a fabric requires. Some fabrics need dry cleaning, while others can be machine-washed.
• Budget: Fabric costs can vary greatly. Set a budget beforehand and stick to it.
• Width of Fabric: Fabric is often sold in widths, typically 45″-60″. You will need to account for this when calculating your yardage needs.

Essential Supplies and Tools

Before you start, gather the following supplies and tools:

• Fabric: As determined by your measurements and preferences.
• Thread: Choose a thread color that matches or complements your fabric.
• Sewing Machine: A basic sewing machine will be sufficient.
• Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Mat: For cutting fabric accurately.
• Measuring Tape: For accurate measurements.
• Pins: To hold fabric pieces together.
• Seam Ripper: For fixing mistakes.
• Iron and Ironing Board: For pressing seams.
• Chalk or Fabric Marker: For marking fabric.
• Optional: Batting for added warmth, piping or trim for embellishment.

Calculating Fabric Yardage

Accurate fabric calculations are key to avoiding costly mistakes. Here’s how to determine the amount of fabric you’ll need:

Taking Measurements

1. Measure Your Bed: Measure the width and length of your mattress.
2. Desired Drop: Decide how far you want the bedspread to hang down on each side of the bed. This measurement is your “drop.” Add twice the drop measurement to both your length and width.
3. Example: Let’s say you have a queen mattress that is 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. You want a 15-inch drop on all sides. Your fabric width requirement will be 60 inches + 15 inches + 15 inches = 90 inches. Your fabric length will need to be 80 inches + 15 inches + 15 inches = 110 inches.
4. Add Seam Allowance: Add extra inches to each side for seam allowances. This is generally between ½ inch and 1 inch for all sides. So, in our example, we might end up with a final measurement of 92” wide by 112” long to account for a 1″ seam allowance on all sides.

Calculating Yardage

Now that you have your finished dimensions with seam allowance accounted for, you will use that information to calculate the fabric needed. It is best to purchase a bit more than needed in case of errors or shrinkage. Fabric is usually sold by the yard which is 36 inches, or 91.44 cm. Divide the measurements you just took by 36 to figure out yardage.

• Example: Assuming we use the calculations from above, and we are using a fabric width that is 60 inches wide, we would calculate the yardage based on the length (112 inches). We would divide 112/36 to get about 3.1. That means that we need approximately 3.1 yards of fabric that is 60 inches wide. Because you can only buy full yards, you would round this number up to 3.5 or 4 yards.

Pattern Matching

If your chosen fabric has a large repeating pattern, you’ll need to purchase extra fabric to ensure that the pattern lines up when you sew your pieces together. Consult with the sales representative about pattern repeat in order to buy an accurate amount of fabric.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Bedspread

Now that you have your supplies and measurements, let’s get started on making your bedspread. We will create a simple single-layer bedspread in this guide.

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric

1. Wash and Dry: Pre-wash your fabric according to its care instructions. This prevents shrinkage after the bedspread is completed.
2. Iron Your Fabric: Iron your fabric to remove any wrinkles. This will make it easier to cut and sew.
3. Lay the Fabric: Lay your fabric flat on a large, clean surface (like a floor or table).

Step 2: Cut Your Fabric

1. Measure and Mark: Using your measurements from the previous section, measure and mark your cutting lines on the fabric with chalk or a fabric marker.
2. Cut the Fabric: Carefully cut along your marked lines using sharp scissors or a rotary cutter and mat. Ensure your edges are neat and straight.

Step 3: Hem the Edges

1. Create the Hem: Fold the raw edge of the fabric over to the wrong side by about 1/2 inch and press with an iron.
2. Fold Again: Fold it over again by another 1/2 inch (or desired hem length) and press. This creates a double folded hem, encasing the raw edge.
3. Pin the Hem: Pin the hem in place using pins every few inches.
4. Sew the Hem: Using a straight stitch on your sewing machine, sew along the edge of the hem, close to the fold.
5. Repeat: Repeat this process for all four sides of the fabric.

Step 4: Optional Embellishments

Now that you have a basic bedspread, you can add some embellishments to customize it.

Adding Trim or Piping

• Prepare the Trim: If using trim or piping, attach it to the right side of the bedspread’s edges before hemming. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for attaching your chosen trim.
• Attach Trim: Carefully pin trim to the edge with the raw edge facing outward. Stitch trim in place. Once you’ve attached trim, continue hemming and fold it under, creating a finished edge with trim detail.

Adding Appliqués or Embroidery

• Design: Choose your design and decide on your placement for appliqué or embroidery.
• Appliqué: If applying an appliqué, use fusible webbing to adhere your appliqué to the bedspread. Finish edges with stitching.
• Embroidery: Use a hoop and embroidery floss to add embroidered designs directly to the bedspread.

Step 5: Final Touches

1. Press the Bedspread: Give the finished bedspread a final press with the iron to set the hems and embellishments.
2. Inspect: Inspect your work for any loose threads or errors and fix if necessary.
3. Place on Bed: Lay your new bedspread on your bed and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Tips for Sewing Success

• Pre-Wash Your Fabric: This is crucial for preventing shrinkage.
• Use Sharp Scissors or Rotary Cutter: For clean and accurate cuts.
• Pin Carefully: Securely pin your fabric pieces to prevent shifting.
• Press Seams: Pressing seams is crucial for a professional finish.
• Take Your Time: Don’t rush. Enjoy the process.
• Practice: If you’re new to sewing, practice on scrap fabric first.
• Read Your Sewing Machine Manual: Familiarize yourself with your sewing machine’s functions.
• Watch Tutorials: Online video tutorials can be a great resource for visual learners.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Sewing is a creative process. Have fun and try new things.

Creative Variations

Want to get a little more adventurous with your bedspread? Here are some creative ideas to explore:

Quilted Bedspreads

For a warmer and more textured bedspread, consider quilting it. You can add batting between your top and bottom layers and create your own custom quilting pattern. A simple way to do this is to create a quilt sandwich with the fabric right side up, batting, and another fabric wrong side up. Quilt through the layers either in straight lines or follow a specific pattern.

Patchwork Bedspreads

Use scraps of fabric to create a patchwork design. This is a great way to use up leftover fabric and create a unique, colorful bedspread. You can use specific shapes or do random designs. If doing specific shapes, be sure to account for the needed seam allowances. Sew all your smaller squares or shapes together, then make sure your piece is the appropriate dimensions, and move forward with hemming.

Ruffled Bedspreads

Add ruffles along the edges for a romantic and feminine touch. Ruffles are usually strips of fabric gathered with a special stitch to create volume and texture. You can make ruffles using the same fabric or contrasting fabrics. Attach to the edge of your bedspread before hemming.

Reversible Bedspreads

Create a bedspread with two different fabrics on either side. This gives you two different looks in one bedspread. Simply sew two layers together and hem the edges. You can even add an extra layer of batting.

Bedspread with Corner Gussets

For a more tailored look, you can create a bedspread with corner gussets. These are like a tailored skirt with a specific cut at each of the corners that allow the bedspread to hang without bunching up or dragging. There are many online tutorials to help guide you through this more advanced construction.

Caring for Your DIY Bedspread

Proper care will help extend the life of your new bedspread. Always follow the care instructions for your chosen fabric. Generally:

• Wash Gently: Machine wash on a gentle cycle with cool water.
• Use Mild Detergent: Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach.
• Tumble Dry Low: Or air dry to prevent shrinkage or damage to fabric or trim.
• Iron as Needed: Iron your bedspread on the appropriate setting for its fabric.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight: To prevent fading.

Conclusion

Creating your own bedspread is a rewarding and creative project that allows you to express your unique style and transform your bedroom into a personalized haven. With a little patience, some basic sewing skills, and a willingness to experiment, you can craft a beautiful and functional bedspread that you’ll cherish for years to come. So, gather your supplies, choose your fabric, and start sewing your own dreamy bedspread today!

Happy sewing!