Box Pleat Crib Skirt Tutorial!

I am really cutting it close...about 5 weeks to go and I am still making things for the nursery!  David has been painting away...(and really got into posing for blog photos!)

"It looks like a mustache, right?"  "Umm...sure honey!"

 

"Okay, get this action shot."

Now, I probably won't do a whole post just about paint color, so I will tell you in this post that we used this:

Behr Ultra in "Spring Stream"

This paint is great- it really does cover anything underneath and you can do one coat! It's a very close match to Tiffany Blue- which is in the fabric we chose for the room- yes, I said "we" because David was very involved in the process of choosing the fabrics.  I will use the same fabric for the window valance as I do for the crib skirt, and then I might make a pillow for the glider, and perhaps a Boppy cover...maybe even a mobile with the scraps.  So keep an eye out for future posts!

BOX PLEATED CRIB SKIRT
To make my Box Pleated Crib Skirt, you will need:
-About 1 1/2 yards of white muslin (for the part that will be under the mattress)
-About 2 yards of the main fabric (where I used the brown floral print)
-About 1 1/2 yards of the accent fabric (where I used the coral polka-dots)
-Coordinating thread (one spool should be plenty)
-Scissors, Rotary Cutter, Iron and Sewing Machine

(***ALWAYS wash, dry, and iron your fabric first!  I allowed wiggle room for shrinking in the amounts above.***)

Cut the following from your fabric (Hint:  Cotton tears really well!  For those long measurements I let 'er rip, then I used my rotary cutter to do the shorter cut.)

Muslin
-one piece 49" x 27"

Main fabric
-2 pieces 60" x 9.5"
-2 pieces 38" x9.5"

Accent fabric
-2 pieces 60" x 5"
-2 pieces 38" x 5"

Okay, now let's put all that together!!!  For this entire tutorial, use a 1/2" seam allowance.

1.  With right sides facing, attach the trim to the main fabric lengthwise. (You can use a serger if you prefer.)

2. Iron your seams nice and flat! (If you used a serger, still do this!)

3. Zig-zag (or serge)  around the perimiter of the whole piece.  Do this as close to the edge as possible.

4. Mitre the bottom corners of the trim following the steps in the photos below.

Fold corner in 1/2" and iron down.

Fold over the bottom hem 1/2" and iron.

Fold in the side hem 1/2" and iron.

5.  Sew down the side and bottom hems.

 6.  Make your box pleats (one per panel) following the instructions in the photos below.  I wanted a very simple look- but if you want a series of box pleats, simply add 10" per pleat and go to town!

Find the exact center and mark with a quilting marker or fabric pencil.

Measure and mark 5" on either side of the center.

Pinch the mark on the left, and fold over so that the mark touches the center mark.  Be sure its lined up perfectly all the way to the bottom hem then iron.  Repeat for the other side.

Pin, then baste in place 1/4" from the edge.

7. Attach the panels to the muslin and iron seams flat.

And you're done!  Enjoy making your little one's nursery as special and unique as they are...and come back for more nursery projects that are in the works (or at least in my head!!!)  To see all the projects in their completely final form (like this on the crib) keep coming by- I will do a "reveal" post when the nursery is complete!

***Please remember that this tutorial is my original work.  It is intended for personal use only.  Feel free to link directly to this post but please do not copy it.  THANKS!!!***

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