How to Make a Split Corner Bedspread (Helpful Guide & Tips)
There is rarely one size fits all in sewing. You have different sewing machines to do different tasks, different fabrics to create wonderful garments and you have a different style of bedspreads to fit different styles of beds. Which one you choose to use depends a lot on the foot boards on your bed.
How to make a split corner bedspread: Creating the split is not that difficult. All you need is a pair of scissors and the split is in the bedspread. It is what you do after you make the cut that is important. The key lies in hemming the raw edges just right and using some matching cord to make piping to strengthen your seams.
To find out more about making a split corner bedspread just continue to read out article. It delves into this matter and produces the information you want to know. Sometimes you do not need a large split to make the bedspread work for you.
Split Corner Bedspread 101
Tip #1: Make sure to hem the split if you make your own. This will stop any unraveling from taking place as well as keep your bedspread looking great.
Tip #2: choosing the color of the fabric is the last item you have to do when making your split bedspread. The real work comes in getting the splits to the right lengths that will work on your footboard.
What is a Split Corner Bedspread?
Before we go any further there may be a few people out there who do not know what a split corner bedspread is. This style of bedding was and are designed to work with a bed that has a low footboard or a four-post style of the bed frame.
The split is made so that the bedspread will allow the footboard or posts to peek through without bunching or wrinkling itself. The style of the bedspread still keeps your bed looking great all the time and works around those pesky footboard designs.
Tall footboards do not need a split corner as the bedspread is supposed to be tucked into the gap between it and the mattress. You get the best of both bed designs this way. Everyone can still see both the footboard and the bedspread.
How do You Make a Split Corner Bedspread?
Generally, bedspreads are supposed to skim the floor and not wrinkle or bunch up. This means that you have to be careful when making your measurements. If you see that the bedspread is not doing that, and lies a couple of inches above the floor then your bedspread is too small for the bed.
The key to getting the right sized bedspread is to make the right measurements. Of course, you do not have to add a lot of inches to the width and length of the mattress. Just get an accurate measurement and you should be fine.
To get the right size of bedspread means you have to get the right depth measurement. The depth measurement is from the top of the mattress to just barely touching the floor.
There are other elements you need to add in before you have the exact measurement. First, when you get the depth measurement on the width size double it to cover both sides of the bed. For the length, you just need one depth measurement as the bedspread doesn't go to the floor at the head of the bed.
Finally, add 16 inches to the length to give you ample room to tuck in your pillows. Once you got the size of the fabric you need, you have to then decide how long a split you are going to need at the two corners.
Once that is done, make your cut and hem the rough edges you just created. You can add fabric or piping to strengthen those edges and that option is up to you. A good straight or zig-zag stitch should hold those seams well.
Tip #3: If your bedspread drop is over 24 inches, you should consider adding a skirt to the fabric to cover the extra distance. You may also consider a fringe look.
How to Sew a Split Corner Bedspread
One of the keys to sewing a split corner bedspread is to give yourself enough of a seam allowance. The recommended allotment is 1/2 inch on both sides of the split. The seam allowance should be figured in when you make your drop or depth measurement.
Don’t forget to add a hem allowance as well. If you are going to add piping, you can use different contrasting colors to give the piping a decorative purpose. The tricky part will come in at the top when you are sewing the corner together.
Use a strong stitch as when the bedspread is cleaned the stress and tension will be greatest at that point. Invisible thread or color matching thread is best to use unless you want a thread color as a decorative touch.
Tip #4: Standard widths for fabric coming off the bolt is 60 inches or less. You should look in the drapery or upholstery sections for fabrics wide enough to cover larger sizes of beds than a twin.
Split Corner Bedspread King
King-sized bedspreads can get expensive, especially if they are the larger California king size bedspread you need. The cost can reach high into the hundreds of dollars for the higher quality fabrics they are made from.
That means to save money you should make your own. The first step is to know the different sizes of the two king-size beds. The standard king size measures 76 by 80 inches and the California king reaches 72 by 84.
The important thing to remember is that those two measurements are not the only numbers you need when making your own. You will need the depth measurement twice for the width of the blanket and once for the length.
Your depth measurement will depend on the thickness of the mattress, the box spring and if there is any lift from the floor. If all three go over 24 inches then consider adding a bed skirt to your bedspread.
Tip #5: to make a good split corner bedspread use fabrics that you can wash at home. Make sure to pre-wash them so you get the shrinkage out before you sew.
Queen
The measurement for the Queen size bed is 60 by 80 inches and that is just the width and the length. When making the split corner bedspread for your queen-sized bed the requirements mentioned above in the king-size section apply to the Queen.
One thing that was not mentioned is that you are going to have to add about 16 inches to the lengths to all sizes of bedspreads. This extra length helps you tuck in your pillows and keep your bed looking neat and well organized.
One of the decisions you have to make is whether to tuck in your bedspread or not. When you have a wood frame underneath your box spring and mattress tucking in the bedspread, even if it has a split corner, is an option.
The split corner makes it easier to tuck in the bedspread and removes wrinkles as well as bunching. Your wood bed frame gets to be highlighted and you always have the option of not tucking in the bottom end of the bedspread if you change your mind about its look.
Tip #6: To add gathers to the bedspread double the amount of fabric you are going to use. Then baste 2 stitches 1/4 inch in from the fabric's edge and make them the largest you can on your sewing machine.
Twin
For the twin, you are not working with a lot of material and the bedspread fabric should be easier to manipulate. The total measurements for the width and length of the twin bed are 39 by 75 inches overall.
Usually, the drop of the twin bed is not as great as the Queen or the King sizes but you still need to consider it. You may make adjustments to the procedure is your twin beds have captain’s drawers underneath it.
You have a lot of flexibility in your design just make sure to use strong stitches to make sure the corners do not unravel or come apart on you.
Tip#7: When gathering the fabric make sure to pin the threads at one end so that they do not move. The pins should hold the other end of the threads in place as you work. Don’t forget to include a seam allowance.
Turning a Throw Type Bedspread Into a Fitted Spread With Split Corners
To start the earlier instructions for measuring your mattress will apply when you are making this type of fitted bedspread. After you have your measurements, then cut 3 pieces of fabric to size. These fabrics will form your bed skirt on the fitted bedspread.
Don’t forget to add a seam allowance when you are making your cuts. The next step is to sew the three pieces of fabric together but you do not want to go all the way down to the bottom. You need to make sure you have a split corner allowance when uniting these three fabrics.
Turn the bottom edge of these pieces up a 1/2 inch and press them. Do this twice before sewing the hem. Now sew the panels of fabric you will be using for the top of the bedspread together. Add a 1 1/2 for seam allowance.
Now pin the top edges of the bed skirt to the three sides of the top of the bedspread. Give yourself a 1/2 seam and sew them together. If your throw type bedspread doesn’t need any work, skip the part of sewing the panels together and just go right to adding the bed skirt to it.
How to Make a Split Corner Bed Skirt
This is an important set of instructions as some beds have too big of a drop to accommodate normal split corner bedspreads. You need to add a little extra drop to make sure your bed remains fully covered.
This is not a hard project to do as all the seams are straight and there is no difficulty in sewing them. The hardest part is selecting the skirting fabric that drapes well and matches in color to your overall room decor.
- Step 1: remove your mattress and lay a flat sheet on top of the box spring. The sheet should line up with the edges
- Step 2: measure the lengths of the 2 sides and add 4 inches. Then measure the drop and also add 4 inches
- Step 3: cut your side pieces of fabric and then measure the foot of the bed and add 4 inches. Cut the fabric to the length and drop measurements
- Step 4: starting with one raw edge, turn it back 1/4 inch and press then sew. Do this for all edges.
- Step 5: turn the bottom sewn edge back 1 inch and sew with a hemstitch. Repeat till all are completed
- Step 6: now pin the panels to the flat sheet going around the corners by 1 inch. Do the footboard panel last and overlap by 1 inch on each side
- Step 7: Sew the panels to the flat sheet and trim the excess
Some Final Words
Creating a split corner bedsheet is basic sewing. There are no difficult stitches to make, no corners to go around and so on. The key is to have enough fabric so the bedspread only skims the floor and does not lay on it.
The key measurement is going to be your drop or depth measurement as that will vary from bed to bed. It all depends if you use a box spring, have elevated bed frames or not.
