1) Press under 16" (40.5 cm) across the lower edge of the back, right sides together. If using tapes or zipper, snip the fold to mark ends of closure. Stitch 3/4" (2 cm) from the fold; backstitch at snips and bastestitch across the closure area. Cut on fold; press seam open. 2a) Insert hook and [...]

Change the look of a bed with a covered comforter. It can replace a top sheet and blanket, and the removable cover of the comforter makes laundering easy. Sew your own comforter, or use a purchased one of down or of polyester batting. Choose a washable, lightweight, firmly woven fabric for the cover. Sheets are [...]

Measure accurately to make a comforter and dust ruffle that fits the bed perfectly. Comforters reach 3" to 4" (7.5 to 10 cm) below the mattress line. They have a drop length (the distance from the upper edge of the mattress to the bottom of the comforter) of 9" to 12" (23 to 30.5 em), [...]

Custom-made bed fashions such as comforters, comforter covers, pillow shams and dust ruffles can be ruffled or tailored to suit the decor. Chintzes, polished cottons and sateens are good choices for most bed coverings. Sheets are another practical fabric choice; their width makes seaming unnecessary on comforters and covers. Permanent press fabrics with soil-resistant finishes [...]

Coordinating napkins are the finishing touch to your tabletop fashions. Standard finished napkins are 14" or 17" (33.5 or 43 cm) square. Before cutting the fabric, square the ends, using a carpenter's square. For fringed napkins, square the ends by pulling a thread. Napkin hems can be decorative. Experiment with some of the decorative stitches [...]

Trimmed place mats have banding stitched to one side. Purchase finished trim or cut trim from fabric. Cutting Directions Cut the place mat 1" (2.5 cm) larger than desired finished size (page 104). Press W' (1.3 cm) seam allowance to right side of place mat on all edges. Cut trimming long enough to go around [...]

Wide double banding creates reversible place mat. Cutting Directions Determine size of finished mat (page 104) and desired width of finished banding. Cut place mat center the size of finished mat minus two times the width of finished banding, plus 1/2' (1.3 cm). For each mat, cut two centers. Stitch centers, wrong sides together, a [...]

Quilting adds body to table coverings and provides additional protection for table surfaces. The thickness and slight puffiness of quilted table accessories also adds visual appeal. Use quilted fabrics for placemats, table runners and table mats. Finish edges with bias binding. Pre-quilted fabrics are available, but quilting your own fabric provides the luxury of coordinating [...]

Most dorm beds also double as a couch (and study nook,and eating area), so why not spruce up the bottom bunk with a few fun scarf pillows? Simply hit the nearest Savers/Value Village and find a few old throw pillows, then check out the accessories section for scarves in bright prints and bold colors – [...]

To determine the yardage for a tablecloth without a flounce, divide tablecloth diameter by fabric width less I" (2.5 cm).  Count fractions as one width. This is the number of widths. Then multiply number of widths by diameter and divide by 36" (100 cm) to find the total yards (meters). For center of flounced-edge tablecloth, [...]