DIY Bassinet Sheet

Learn how to create simple DIY bassinet sheets. This tutorial is customizable to fit your baby’s sleep space, and your budget. Use multiple types of material to create easy interchangeable sheets, while fitting the shape and size of your baby’s mattress!

Creating custom DIY bassinet, crib, or basket sheets is a very easy, affordable, and meaningful project you can do for your new little one! While I love having a unique baby bassinet, finding a bassinet mattress and sheets was nearly impossible. This forced me to think outside the box, get creative, and physically make my “perfect” bassinet vision come to life.

Before working on my DIY bassinet sheets, I had to first create a mattress. Once again, it was impossible to find a mattress with the exact dimensions I needed for my bassinet. Therefore, my creative side got to work on creating a DIY bassinet mattress.

After the waterproof bassinet mattress was complete, I was able to work on creating the fitted sheets. The two things I focused on when creating these sheets were: 1. They could easily be removed in order to be washed, 2. They would fit nicely without bunching or allowing for the possibility of suffocation. Using this same method, I was able to create multiple DIY bassinet sheets from muslin cotton, fleece, and drop cloth. No matter what fabric you choose, the method and instructions remain the same!

DIY Bassinet Sheet Tips

• Wash your fabric beforehand. If you are using materials that shrink, especially cotton, you want to make sure you are working with “already shrunk” fabric. If you sew your bassinet sheet first, it may shrink in the wash and not fit.
• Iron your fabric beforehand. Ironing your fabric beforehand will ensure that you can get the fabric as tight and snuggle to the mattress size as possible. It can also be easier to work with.
• Make multiple sheets. When (not if) your baby spits up, or leaks out of their diaper, you will want an extra change of sheets available. Buying double the fabric initially can eliminate the stress of washing and waiting for baby’s sheet. Working on two sheets at the same time (side by side) can also be an effective way to get two sheets completed.

Materials and Tools

• Fabric (I purchased an off white muslin cotton from Walmart ($4.99 for 2 yards.)
• Matching color thread
• Sewing Machine
• Scissors
• Tape Measure
• Mattress (to use as a guide)

How to Sew a DIY Bassinet Sheet

1. Measure your bassinet, crib, or basket mattress, OR place fabric overtop of the mattress.
2. Cut out the fabric in the shape of the mattress. Allow for at least 1 inch extra on each side of the fabric. (This will allow extra fabric to work with while pinning and sewing.)
3. Use the initial piece of fabric to cut out a second piece. Cut out the second piece longer than the first. (This piece will be used for the back, and will be cut in half while overlapping in the middle.)
4. Hem the bottom of the “top” back piece, and the top of the “bottom” back piece. (These hemmed seams will overlap each other, creating a nice, clean looking opening. This will allow for you to remove the sheet for washing.)
5. Place the fabric (good side up) on a flat surface, then the mattress, then the top back piece of fabric (good side down). Make sure the good side of the hem is facing down. (When you turn your sheet inside out, the nice side will show.)
6. Pin the fabric together on one side, making sure the good sides of fabric are touching each other on the inside.
7. Pin the fabric together at the top, and on the other side. Gently remove the mattress.
8. Sew along the the pins. (Make sure you front and back stitch when you begin and end.)
9. Place the padding back inside the cover. Pin the bottom back piece to the newly sewn piece. (Make sure you overlap the bottom back piece on top of the top back piece.)
10. Remove the mattress if you can, then sew around the pins (or pins and mattress.)
11. Cut off any excess fabric that will create bunching when turned inside out. Be careful not to cut too close to the seam.
12. Turn your fabric inside out. Place the mattress inside the cover.

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