baby room : crib skirt continued

So last week, we showed you our process of choosing a crib skirt fabric. Here's the 2/3 progress I made that weekend. I was greatly inspired by one of my favorite blog/sites: YoungHouseLove and Sherry's no-sew crib skirt for their newest addition, Clara. I loved the no-sew idea simply because I'm not the most experienced when it comes to hemming and because it seems to create a nice sharp crease. We wanted a smooth crib skirt, so if you're looking for something ruffled, do not look here--I have no idea how to accomplish that intentionally ;)


I started out by happily creating a corner for the work:

Step One: Measure

I laid out my two sheets of fabric on the floor. NOTE: JoAnn Fabrics cut both sheets 1" short, so I had to make a few adjustments. Thankfully, with the thick white wood crib we received from Mom & Dad Shedd, there's a little leeway. 

I measured the crib's dimensions in the following three ways:

1. Highest possible height of metal mattress level from floor + 3 inches (32 inches).

2. Length of side metal mattress level + 3 inches (22 inches)

3. Length of front metal mattress level + 3 inches (54 inches)

I measured twice on the crib, and FOUR TIMES on the sheets. I knew that if I didn't position things correctly, I would be out to the store for more purchases, something we can't afford to do.

Step Two: Open

I opened the Stitch Witchery I purchased dirt cheap at Winkie's, a local (and incredible) store for everything. Why am I mentioning this as a step? Because it matters. 

Step Three: Prepare the Area

So on the Stitch Witchery package, it tells us what iron-setting we need AND that I must have on-hand a damp clothe. I set out our iron and grabbed leftover fabric from the crib skirt cuts. As I was doing this in the basement I was able to keep rewetting the cloth in the laundry basin.

Step Four: Briefly Iron the Fabric

Sure, some people might have done this before, but I find it best to do it in this part of the process. Otherwise, the sheet is going to pucker.

Step Five: Roll Out the Stitch Witchery and Pin the Hem

First, I wrapped up the stitch witchery in a folded hem--I laid it down flat on the edge of the fabric and simply folded that line into the fabric. There was roughly a 1" crease with the Stitch Witchery smack dab between the two sides. NOTE: make sure you're doing this on the "wrong" fabric side.

Then I pinned the hem down so I could keep the hem straight without having to risk burning myself. When I ironed, I made sure to avoid the pins. Instead, I ironed around them and then removed them, pressed the iron in those places, and wallah! Done.

Step Six: Remember to Keep the Cloth Damp

The leftover fabric was a long line, so I wet the entire piece, wrung it out, and laid it between the crib skirt and the iron. As soon as I felt the leftover fabric dry, I would rewet it. I believe this keeps us from burning the crib skirt, starting a fire, or melting the Stitch Witchery more than required. I'm just guessing, but I could be right.

Here's a look at one of the hems. Notice how the top of the hem, the scissored portion, is uneven. Remember, this is not my fault. So I had to correct this mistake by folding the hem over more severely in some areas. Not a big deal, but a bit annoying.

And here is one of the two side-panels, awaiting its last hem:

See you tomorrow for part two!

icj,

~j

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