Bed Skirt Pattern Designed by Kathie Holland Vintage Pinwheels quilt pattern published in the September 2004 issue of McCall's Quick Quilts.

Prepare Muslin

Step 1. Measure mattress width and length. Add 1" to each of these measurements to determine cutting dimensions.

Cutting Width = mattress width + 1"
Cutting Length = mattress length + 1"

Step 2. Piece muslin as needed to make rectangle that measures Cutting Width x Cutting Length.

Step 3. For top edge, hem 1 end of muslin rectangle (along width) in the following manner. Turn 1/4" to wrong side and press. Turn 1/4" again; press. Topstitch 1/8" from fold.
Prepare Skirt Strips

Step 4. Measure desired "drop" (from bottom of mattress to floor). Add 1" to this measurement to determine cutting width.

Skirt Cutting Width = drop + 1"

Step 5. Calculate the skirt strip cutting lengths in the following manner.

Side Strip Cutting Length = Cutting Length x 1.5
Bottom Strip Cutting Length = Cutting Width x 1.5

Step 6. Cut 2 side strips and 1 bottom strip per dimensions figured in Steps 4 & 5. Hem short ends of each strip as described in Step 3. In same manner, hem one long side of each of the 3 skirt strips.

Step 7. To gather fabric along remaining raw (long) edge of each strip, machine baste 2 rows of stitching, 1/4" and 3/8" from raw edge. Pull thread ends to gather fabric so strip length matches length of respective side of prepared muslin rectangle as follows. Gather side strips so they’re 1/2" shorter than muslin side length (hemmed edge to raw edge). Gather bottom strip so it's same length as muslin width (raw edge to raw edge).

Assembling the Bed Skirt

Step 8. Beginning at hemmed edge of muslin, pin skirt side strips to muslin sides, right sides together. Note: Side strips will end 1/2" before raw end of muslin rectangle. Using 1/2" seam allowance, stitch side strips in place. Pin bottom strip in place along bottom edge of muslin rectangle, right sides together. Note: Hemmed short ends of skirt strip will align with muslin raw edges. Using 1/2" seam allowance, stitch in place. Press to set seams. Press side seams toward muslin and press bottom seam toward skirt fabric to finish.