How to upcycle a duvet cover

I don’t need to tell regular readers that my son is a huge Thomas the Tank Engine fan. I spotted a vintage Thomas duvet cover in a charity shop and snapped it up for a couple of pounds. When I got it home I wasn’t sure how to use it – re-size it as a toddler duvet, a bean bag cover or cushion cover. Instead I thought it would make two fun fitted sheets. The ones we’ve been using have been plain blue and these would be a little different.

sewing a hem

It was quite simple to make. I unpicked the duvet cover, which had a different pattern on either side, and re-sized it for a toddler bed. The mattress measured 140cm x 70cm x 10cm so I trimmed the sheet slightly to 180cm x 110cm, this included a 5cm hem. I also slightly trimmed each corner, them pinned the hem and sewed along it, leaving a small gap to thread the elastic through.

To thread the elastic I attached it to a safety pin and threaded it through the fabric. I didn’t cut the it until I had tried the sheet on the bed, making sure it was a snug fit around the mattress.

how to fitted sheet

I put it on the toddlers’ bed without him seeing so when he whipped back his duvet to climb in he saw it and loved it!

Linking up with handmade monday, craft schooling sunday and nifty thrifty things

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10 Comments

Filed under being green, sleeping, toddler, vintage

10 Responses to How to upcycle a duvet cover

  1. I love this – and can imagine how excited and surprised he was when he saw it. What a lovely idea x
    Wendy recently posted..Sunflower Door Plaque

  2. Great find and use. Love the tip of the safety pin too!
    ClairLou recently posted..The Measure of Success – sewing machine and polymer clay

  3. I can imagine what a nice surprise when he pulled back the duvet! I love seeing my daughters face when I surprise her with something she loves.
    Mythillogical recently posted..Work In Progress

  4. What a really great surprise for him. Such a great idea.

  5. A great idea – I would love one of these! Just I’m about 40 years too late :)

  6. I bet he was thrilled with it.What a great idea!
    fatmonica recently posted..Birthday card-Free to be 50

  7. Awwww, what a lovely surprise

  8. What a great idea! and it turned out wonderfully :)
    Hannah recently posted..Blanket making

  9. Wow, that seems simple! Thank you for the tutorial. I have an old sheet I would love to do something similar with. :)
    Susie recently posted..Get Your Boots Up

  10. Pingback: Day Zero – Month 31 (April) | the-gingerbread-house.co.uk

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