Positively Splendid {Crafts, Sewing, Recipes and Home Decor}

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Ruffled Crib Skirt Tutorial {Nursery Bedding Reveal}

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I am so thrilled today to finally be sharing the bedding I made for George’s nursery!
I was set on a color scheme for the space almost from day one, and I was delighted when I found Premier Fabrics had just the fabrics in the colors and patterns I was looking for, and at a really terrific price. For this bedding, I used their chartreuse zigzag, royal blue damask, and turquoise polka dot. I found two primary sources of inspiration for the construction of the crib bedding: this crib bumper tutorial from Sew4Home and this gorgeous crib bedding set, complete with a truly unique ruffled crib skirt. The bumper tutorial was a pleasure to work with: so easy to follow! Although a tutorial wasn’t available for the crib skirt, I knew without a doubt from the very moment I laid eyes on it that this was a DIY project I wanted to tackle for this space, so I set to work creating a pattern of my own.
This ruffled crib skirt really is a very straightforward project, but I won’t lie: it is fairly time consuming. With an abundance of ruffled sections (16, to be exact!), this isn’t a project you can expect to crank out in one evening. I highly recommend that you commission the use of a serger to finish the edges of the ruffled pieces with a rolled hem if at all possible. These are very long pieces of fabric you will be working with, and doing a standard narrow hem on each section would be a ton of work! That being said, it is entirely possible to do this project without a serger. I will include instructions for both serger-users and standard machine-users in this tutorial so you can choose the option that’s right for you.
So, ready to see how this is done? Let’s get started!
For this project, you will need…
(Please note that all yardage specifications are based on 54-inch home decorator fabric.)
Fabric 1 (top and bottom tiers) – 2.25 yards
Fabrics 2 and 3 (middle tiers) – exactly 1 yard (I recommend buying a bit more so you have some wiggle room) 
90-inch muslin – 3.5 yards
Rotary cutter and mat
 Coordinating thread
Washable ink marker
Basic sewing supplies: shears, measuring tape, etc.
To begin, make your fabric cuts.
**NOTE: Tier 1 is at the top of the skirt and tier 4 is at the bottom (closest to the floor). Thus, the wider (7″) section of ruffles is at the top of the finished skirt, closest to the mattress. This top-most (tier 1) section is wider than the rest to allow for a portion of the ruffles to be concealed under the mattress once the bed is made without having that section appear narrower than the rest of the ruffled tiers.
From Fabric 1: 6 tier 1 ruffle strips that are 7×54″ and 6 tier 4 ruffle strips that are 6×54″
From Fabric 2: 6 tier 2 ruffle strips that are 6×54″
From Fabric 3: 6 tier 3 ruffle strips that are 6×54″
From Muslin: 2 long tier 2 connecting strips that are 5.5×54″
2 short tier 2 connecting strips that are 5.5×29.5
2 long tier 3 connecting strips that are 9.5×54
2 short tier 3 connecting strips that are 9.5×29.5
2 long tier 4 connecting strips that are 13.5×54
2 short tier 4 connecting strips that are 13.5×29.5
1 platform piece that is 55×30.5″
Note: Measurements above are based on the use of a serger. If you do not have a serger, add 1/2 inch to the length measurement of each of the ruffle strips you cut from fabrics 1, 2 and 3. (For example, you will cut strips that are 7.5×54″ and 6.5×54″ from fabric 1.)
step 1 / Align two of the short edges of two of your ruffle strips from tier 1, right sides facing, and pin together. Stitch together with a 1/4″ seam. Press seam open. Finish seam either with pinking shears, a zig-zag stitch, or an overlock stitch. Repeat with two more of your tier 1 strips. Repeat this process with four of your tier 2, 3 and 4 ruffle strips, so that you have two long ruffle strips and two short ruffle strips for each tier.
step 2 / Using your serger, finish both of the short edges and one of the long edges of each of your ruffle strips with a rolled hem. To keep things tidy, first hem the short sides before hemming the long lower edge. If you do not have a serger, use a narrow hem on each of these sides. To complete a narrow hem, fold under the edge 1/4″ and press. Fold under another 1/4″ and press. Stitch.

step 3 / Working with your muslin connecting strips, finish each of the short edges on each of these pieces with an overlock stitch using your serger. (If you do not have a serger, use your sewing machine’s overlock stitch or a zig-zag stitch.) Set these connecting pieces aside for now.
step 4 / Working with one of your ruffle pieces, stitch a line of gathering stitches 1/8″ and 1/4″ from the unfinished long edge. Repeat with each of your ruffle pieces from all four tiers. Gently pull on the bobbin thread of your gathering stitches to ruffle each of your pieces. You will need to gather each piece so it is shortened by approximately 50%.
step 5 / Working with one of your short tier 2 ruffles and one of your short (5.5×29.5″) muslin tier 2 connecting strips, adjust the gathers so the ruffled piece is the same width as the muslin piece. Pin the pieces together, right sides facing, and stitch together with a 1/2″ seam. Finish your seam with an overlock stitch on your serger or a zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine. Repeat with the other short tier 2 ruffle and the remaining short tier 2 muslin connecting strip. You will repeat this step with the each of the long tier 2 ruffle pieces and the long muslin tier 2 connecting strips, connecting one ruffle piece to one connecting strip.
When all of your tier 2 ruffles and connecting strips are sewn together, move on and do the same with all of your tier 3 ruffle and muslin connecting strips, and then all of your tier 4 ruffle and muslin connecting strips. Be sure to sew the short ruffles to the short connecting strips and the long ruffles to the long connecting strips in each tier.
step 6 / Place one of your completed short tier 4 panels face up on your work surface. Place one of the short tier 3 panels face up on top of the tier 4 piece, aligning the top raw edges of each panel, so that the right side of the tier 4 panel faces the wrong side of the tier 3 panel. Layer the tier 2 panel on top of the tier 3 and 4 panels in the same manner. Pin all three layers together, and baste them together along their top edge using a 1/4″ seam. Working with one of your short tier 1 ruffle pieces, adjust the gathers on the piece so that it is the same width as your stacked lower tiers. Pin the ruffle face up on top of the lower tiers, so that the wrong side of the ruffle piece faces the right side of the lower tiers, and baste stitch the ruffle on top of stacked lower tiers 1/4″ from the top raw edge. One short side of your crib skirt is complete!
Now, repeat this step with your remaining short tier 2, 3 and 4 panels and your remaining short tier 1 ruffles. Then move on and do the same with your long tier 2, 3 and 4 panels and tier 1 ruffles. At the end of this step, you will have two complete stacked short ruffled sides for your crib skirt and two complete stacked long ruffled sides.
step 7 / Use your washable ink marker to mark a 1/2″ square at each of the corners of your muslin platform. Trim these squares away. Working on one of the long sides of your platform piece, pin one of your long ruffled panels to this side, right sides facing, aligning the top raw edges of the pieces. Stitch together using a 1/2″ seam. Finish the seam with an overlock stitch on your serger or a zig-zag stitch on your machine. Repeat on the remaining sides of your platform piece, matching the short sides with the short ruffled pieces and the remaining long side with the remaining long ruffled piece.
Hooray! You are finished!
Project Notes:

For my crib, this pattern results in a crib skirt that is a few inches above the ground. I planned it this way to make vacuuming under the crib easier than if the skirt went all the way to the floor. If you want to add length to your skirt based on your particular crib’s dimensions, or if you simply prefer a longer skirt, I recommend doing so by adding length to the bottom ruffle.
***
Interested in seeing some of the other projects from the nursery? Click below to explore!

Pennant Valance and Custom Drapes
Polka Dot Fabric Wall Decals
Painted Laminate Nursery Bookshelf
Pom Pom Baby Mobile
DIY Framed Chalkboard
Painted Antique Dresser
Honeycomb Wall Canvas

Thanks so much for stopping in!
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Linking this to…
Skip to My Lou
Home Stories A to Z
Serenity Now
Oopsey Daisy
Lil Luna
Creations by Kara
Every Creative Endeavor
Tatertots & Jello
Flamingo Toes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. echerepko says

    I literally squealed with delight when I saw this post! Baby 3 is due in 6 weeks and I’ve been WAITING for your bedding reveal and tutorial! You didn’t disappoint! Great instructions and your results are incredible…I can’t wait to see everything together. Thank you!

  3. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    You are a sewing genius!!! I am so envious of your skills. I need to get my machine out and start working again. I am so impressed with all those beautiful layers of ruffles–they add such nice depth!

  5. nest of posies says

    amy – i just don’t know how you do it. you are a super mom. this room is just incredible. those ruffles & that fabric. outstanding job.

    have a super week!
    xo
    kellie

  12. Allison {A Glimpse Inside} says

    LOVE it!! You did such a fabulous job on the bedding!!
    I can’t wait to figure out what I want for bedding once we find out the gender on Friday. My husband would LOVE for me to sew it myself but it makes me SOOO nervous b/c I am far from an expert sewer. We’ll see!

  16. Sew Much Ado says

    Oh crap, I just said to my sister last night that I didn’t care for nursery bedding and wasn’t going to make any for my baby coming in April, but you’ve changed my mind! I LOVE this crib skirt and pinned it, thanks so much!

  22. Delia says

    This is sooo very coincidental. I put together few fabrics today for my own nursery, and I had the exact same fabrics, the green chevron and the polka dots (in Orange). Yours look fabulous! I love it 🙂

  29. Angel says

    I love this bedroom! My 11 yo. daughter just got a duvet that resembles the large polka dots from pbteen and I would love to do some of this in her room, especially the bed skirt. Thanks for the great ideas!

  34. Ashley says

    Ummm…this whole room is freakin awesome. I love everything about it, it’s put together so nicely and the colors are perfect.

    so of course, I had to become a follower!

  35. Tisha says

    Wow! I love the way this turned out – great color combination too! I like the serged edge instead of a hem. Visiting from TT&J and a new follower. Thanks for the inspiration.

  46. Whitnee Chovanec says

    I love this and am wanting to make it. I do have a question what is the finished length to the floor. I am concerned about dropping the mattress and the ruffles dragging the floor. Great tutorial!! This is very cute!!

  49. adobe_13 says

    Hi. So I wanted to let everyone who is thinking about doing this know: I went to premier fabric online and the fabric used for this set runs anywhere from 11.99-15.99 a yard. being a stay at home mom with only my husband working that is quite a bit for us. So I did some research and you can go to amazon.com and type in premier fabric and search and they have this exact same fabric shipped out by premier fabrics for 5.79 per yard. That is almost a third of the cost! Plus right now if you order 35.00 or more from premier on amazon you get free shipping!!

  51. Sara Freeman says

    This is so adorable! What would you suggest if my fabric is 44″ instead of 54? Thanks so much for sharing! I’m really getting excited about my little girls nursery now!

  52. -Amanda B. says

    I made the skirt over the last couple of days and it turned out absolutely adorable! I used 44″ fabric instead, and just had to add on an extra tail at the end of each tier to make up for the length. At first I wasn’t going to, until I realized that then it would make for just a wave instead of all the cute ruffles. It was a costly project (IMO), as I only made a ruffle for the front side of the crib and it cost me a bit over $25 with little fabric left over. I used $8/yd fabrics for 2 tiers and a $3/yd fabric for the other.

  53. bloger says

    The room is very zen, a little plain for my taste, I think you can do more with $2000, but everyone has different styles. If your really on a budget, I suggest buying your nursery furniture on craigslist. We sold my sons (very expensive) crib and changing dresser for $300 for the set. It looked brand new, babies don’t really beat up their furniture like toddlers and older kids do.
    Nursery Bedding,Crib Bedding, Baby Bedding

  54. Stacy says

    What an incredible set of bedding! I hate to sound silly, but you wouldn’t be willing to make another set and sell it would you? I would absolutely pay top dollar. This is a bedding set dream come true! Please let me know! I would be beyond thankful!

  55. melliepetunia says

    I love this nursery!! I was considering using some Premier Prints fabrics for a similar project and have been worried about washability. Have you washed any of the fabrics that you used? I would love to know your thoughts…with 4 kids (soon to be 5) and 3 dogs, washability is key. Thanks for your input!

  56. melliepetunia says

    I love this nursery!! I was considering using some Premier Prints fabrics for a similar project and have been worried about washability. Have you washed any of the fabrics that you used? I would love to know your thoughts…with 4 kids (soon to be 5) and 3 dogs, washability is key. Thanks for your input!

  58. My Life As Mom says

    This is gorgeous! I hope this isnt too personal but how much did you end up spending on this bedding set? i would love to make my own but we are having twins and would rather not spend too much but also want a unique beautiful nursery

  59. Briant and Camille says

    I love this! I just made the same bed skirt by copying your tutorial, except I used different fabrics. I was wondering how you did the fabric circles? Did you attach them to anything, or are they just stuck on the wall?

      • shelly says

        Trying to get in touch with amy does anyone know the number? For positively splendid!
        I’m interested in buying that crib skirt

        • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

          Hello, Shelly! At this time, I do not make any items to sell.

  63. Richard John Jordan says

    This is so great and so beautiful. Hand made crin bedding ao sweet and heart touching. I would also love it too to decorate my own nursery for my baby but I hope I have the sewing skills. Good job!

  64. Karli says

    I was wondering if you had the crib skirt on the sides of the crib? and if the fabric yardage that you said you needed for this bedding included the 2 shorter sides of the crib too?

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      The yardages included are everything you need to make a four-sided, four-tiered skirt. Thanks for stopping in!

  66. Nicky says

    I have a plain white bed skirt for the crib. Wondering if I could alter this pattern and
    attach the ruffles to it instead of using the muslin?

  67. Whitney says

    Do you have the instructions for the bumper? I would like to have the bumper made also! 🙂 I mainly need to know the instructions and the materials needed. HA!

  68. Jennifer Vargas says

    Hi I wanted to know if this was only for a 4tier or can I use this to also do a 3tier crib skirt I’m new to motherhood and I want to do my own nursery 🙂 thank you so much and great tutorial

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      Hi, Jennifer! You could make this with only three tiers, but to keep the length, you would need to widen each of the ruffles. Have fun sewing for your little one!

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      I don’t do any sewing for hire at this time, Amanda, but I am so glad you like this. 🙂 Have a great day!

  70. ceelewis says

    love this! My son’s nursery is turquoise..apple green white and charcoal. I’m attempting to make bumper pads for his crib and really love the torquoise polka dot fabroc you used for the skirt but the link on your blog to Premier Fabrics shows a different fabric. Can you share that link again please! thanks so much 🙂

  71. Becca says

    Can you tell me how you did the pom pom mobile? The link at the bottom of the page doesn’t work and I would love to know how you made them. I love all of your stuff it is so cute!!

  72. Falon says

    Hi there, love this sooo much, can you tell me if the ruffles go all the way around? Or are they just in the front? Thanks you so much 🙂

  73. Kimberly says

    Hello, wondering what the finished length of this crib skirt is. Thanks so much! So cute! I’m making this for someone, but hope to make one for a little girl for me someday

  74. Brittany says

    I made a crib skirt following your tutorial and I am so ecstatic about it! I’m a beginner sewer and I had no problems with your directions! Thank you so much!!!

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      I am thrilled to hear it, Brittany! Congratulations on finishing this project. Isn’t it the best feeling? 🙂

  75. Allison says

    I’m curious if you made the bumper too? If so, did you share that tutorial somewhere? I couldn’t find it. Everything is just beautiful!

  76. Frances says

    Love the tutorial. Did you make the bumpers also? If so, how did you do the piping? It looks like it is just rounded over the top corners. I would really like to make my nieces crib set using piping only on the top of the bumpers, but not quite sure how to do it.
    Thanks for your help.

  77. Courtney Rittenhouse says

    I love this SO much & was wondering if you make & sell?? I don’t have the time to do it myself but would love to buy this!?

  78. emily says

    Amy,
    First of all I want to say thank you for the amazing tutorial on the crib skirt. I made it last week and it looks amazing.  Now I also saw your paper lantern mobile (hanging above the crib)and I am in love with it. I would like to do the same thing in my nursery.  I was wondering how you hung the lanterns and pom pons. I tried with fishing line but I’m not sure,  do I hook them all together first or pin them all to the ceiling individually?  How did you do it?  I would love to hear.  Thanks so much.
    Emily

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      Hi, Emily! For the mobile, I mounted eye hooks in the ceiling and hung the lanterns individually from them using fishing line. It was a labor-intensive process that required lots of height adjustments, etc., but I really love how it came together!

  79. Megan says

    Thanks so much for this tutorial!! I FINALLY finished my skirt this weekend! It literally took me about 20 hours because I am a beginner to sewing, but it was well worth it! I even picked out the same fabrics because I love yours so much! Now I just have to make the bumper. I hope that’s easier!

    Thanks again, you’re awesome! 🙂 🙂

  81. Janina says

    Hi,
    First of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. I’m eager to start making mine. Before I start, just wondering what your crib size is?
    I’m making this for a crib that is 50″. Just wondering if it’ll be a bit long with the lengths you provide.
    Thanks!

  83. bunny kingston says

    i love the teal that contrasts but compliments each pattern fabric in turn & ties the black/white fabric with the green chevron. how did you figure that out? i love to play with fabrics and colors also, but i do not have your beautiful taste. it so so wonderful/delightful.

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      Thanks so much, Bunny! Honestly, I have just learned through trial and error the things that work well together. 🙂 I try to incorporate a mix of geometric and floral prints in my designs, plus varying pattern sizes for added interest.