Some of you may remember that we planned to adapt a crib skirt — a fitted band of fabric that hides the space beneath the mattress and conceals the storage drawer — and we’re back to share the simple step-by-step process. If you know me at all, it should come as no surprise that I didn’t pick up a needle and thread. Instead I used my favorite iron-on hem tape, along with scissors, a tape measure, and an iron. In about forty minutes I had a custom-fitted crib skirt that’s removable and machine washable. Here’s how it all came together.
Start by measuring the vertical distance from the bottom of the mattress to the top of the drawer. In our crib that height was consistent all the way around. Next measure the horizontal distance for each side of the crib. We made a three-sided skirt because the back of the crib sits against the wall and won’t be visible. That left us with two shorter side panels and one longer front panel.
For each panel add three inches to both the height and width measurements. For example, if the side panel height measured 12″, add three inches and cut the fabric to 15″. If the side length measured 30″, add three inches and cut it to 33″. Those extra inches allow for a neat hem and a little give when fitting the skirt around the crib.
Using that method I cut a 15″ x 33″ piece of fabric for one side panel and repeated the process for the remaining panels. Once everything was cut out I had three panels: two of identical width for the sides and one longer piece for the front. If you’re working with patterned fabric, be sure to cut all panels with the pattern running the same direction so the finished skirt looks cohesive rather than mismatched.
Next I used the iron and Heat N Bond Ultra Hold iron-on hem tape to finish every edge. I prefer this heavy-duty hem tape because it creates a strong, washable bond without sewing. To hem the edges, cut the hem tape to the length of each side of a panel and iron it onto the back of the fabric as close to the edge as you can. Tip: keep the clear side of the tape facing down and the paper side up so your iron never directly touches the adhesive side.
After ironing the hem tape in place, let it cool for about ten seconds and carefully peel the paper backing away. That leaves a clear, sticky strip that looks like double-sided tape. Fold the raw edge of the fabric over that strip so it covers the adhesive and press the fold with the iron to form a clean hem. The result is a smooth, professional-looking edge without puckering, which is a common problem I encounter when I sew.
Repeat this hemming process on all four edges of each side panel and on the top and bottom edges of the front panel. I left the vertical sides of the front panel unhemmed because those edges would be joined to the side panels.
To join a side panel to the front panel, align the hemmed edge of the side panel with the unhemmed edge of the front panel that you want to attach. Add another strip of hem tape along the face of the hemmed edge, peel away the paper backing, then press the two edges together with the iron. When you flip the assembly over to the front side, the seam looks neat and finished. Repeat to attach the other side panel, or additional panels if you’re making a four-sided skirt.
If you have enough fabric, you could cut one long strip and hem it all at once, but many people prefer to stretch a yard or yard and a half of fabric by cutting panels and joining them. We used one and a half yards and liked the flexibility of panel construction for fitting around the crib frame.
Finally, secure the finished band to the base of the crib. We chose Velcro so the skirt is easy to remove for washing. Heat N Bond hem tape is durable and washable, so it stands up fine in the laundry. Because the crib mattress can be lowered as the baby gets older, we wanted a skirt that could be removed later when it’s no longer needed. We cut small one-inch Velcro squares and placed three or four along the top of the crib’s metal frame per side to hold the skirt in place.
If you use adhesive-backed Velcro, consider stitching a couple of small stitches through the Velcro and fabric to secure it for repeated washings. Once the mattress was replaced, the finished skirt looked polished, fitted, and sleek. We paired complementary colors that coordinate without matching exactly to avoid a high-contrast look. That way, other textiles in the room, like curtains, can remain the focal point.
This method gives you a washable, removable crib skirt without using a sewing machine and without spending much money. Our entire project took under an hour and only required the cost of fabric — about $14 for a yard and a half in our case. If you prefer a traditional floor-length skirt that slides over storage items underneath, there are other approaches, but this fitted style works well when you just want to hide a drawer or create a cleaner look.
Have you made a crib skirt before, or are you planning to try one of these no-sew methods? It’s an easy DIY project that allows you to customize fabric, color, and fit while keeping the finished result removable and washable for everyday use.