How to make a twin bedskirt AKA dust ruffle.

This method for making a twin bedskirt AKA dust ruffle(Walmart bedskirt refashion)is by far the easiest hack for making a very luxuriously full bedskirt aka dust ruffle.

When my son outgrew his bunk bed we put the full size guest room bed into his room and outfitted the guest room with these two twin beds. I needed bedskirts quick because company was on the way, so with no time to make two bedskirts I ran to Walmart and picked up two of the cheapest bedskirts I could find.

At less than $10 each they aren’t attractive,  but they did the job temporarily, until I picked up some gorgeous off white cotton fabric at the thrift store.  It has a hemstitch detail and is semi sheer, which is perfect for a bedskirt.  And it was enough to make two voluminous bedskirts!
This is what the cheapy Walmart bedskirt looks like before.  The platform is white cambric and the skirt is shiny polyester… yum.  Less than desirable, but a great base for a really lovely gathered cotton hemstitched skirt.

Step 1.  I cut 14- 17″ strips of fabric. The drop of the finished skirt needs to be 15″ so that leaves 1″ for a rolled hem and 1″ for the seam at the platform.2.  I sew together all 14 of the 17″ strips to make one veeeeeerrry long strip.

3.  Then put in a rolled hem all the way down one side with my rolled hem foot. The rolled hem foot works like magic.  It makes such a lovely little hem for sheer fabrics.

 

4. After the hem is sewn in, I flip the 17″ strip of fabric over to create the gathers/ruffles.
The absolute easiest way to ruffle or gather fabric of this length, is to hold the thread when it comes off the spool to create tension.  It immediately gathers the fabric as it comes out of the machine.  It does the same thing as adjusting the tensioner on the machine, without the fear of forever ruining the tension setting on your machine.

5. The last part of the process is to attach the ruffled skirt to the platform. (not pictured) I definitely pin the  skirt to the platform before sewing it since its such a cumbersome job.

Making a bedskirt is pretty simple although it can be a little tedious due to the amount of fabric and ruffling and hemming required.  But, if you just take breaks when you get frustrated it’ll go much smoother. It’s amazing what a difference it makes in the room having these two beautiful extra full bedskirts. It’s night and day.

A video with a little live explanation of the process…