Measuring elastic for fitted sheets is straightforward: you simply stretch the elastic over the area it will cover on the mattress.
Whether you are creating a new fitted sheet or replacing worn elastic, the key to getting the right length is to account for the elastic's stretchiness. Unlike measuring fabric, where you measure the exact dimension needed, elastic is measured while taut across the intended area.
The Method: Stretching the Elastic
According to sewing guidance, the most effective way to measure elastic for a fitted sheet is to:
- Take your elastic.
- Stretch it out over the area you want it to stretch.
This ensures that the elastic will provide the necessary tension to keep the sheet snug against the mattress without being too loose or too tight.
Two Main Scenarios for Elastic Placement
Fitted sheets can have elastic placed in different configurations, and the measuring method adapts slightly for each:
- Full Circumference: Some sheets feature elastic sewn all the way around the bottom edge. In this case, you would stretch the elastic along the entire perimeter of the mattress's underside edge.
- Just the Corners: Other sheets only have elastic at the four corners. For this setup, you would measure over the corner of your mattress, stretching the elastic from one side of the corner curve to the other, typically wrapping slightly underneath.
Practical Steps for Measuring
Here's a simple breakdown of how to measure:
- Determine Elastic Placement: Decide if you need elastic along the full edge or just the corners.
- Position Elastic: Hold one end of the elastic at the starting point on the mattress edge (or corner).
- Stretch and Follow: Gently stretch the elastic along the path it will take on the mattress. Follow the curve of the mattress edge or corner.
- Mark or Cut: Once you reach the end point of the area you are covering, mark the elastic or cut it to that stretched length.
- Repeat (for corners): If only doing corners, repeat this process for each corner. Ensure the length is consistent for all corners.
By stretching the elastic directly on the mattress, you are measuring the working length it needs to be to hold the sheet securely, taking its inherent stretch property into account.
