A hand sewn bed skirt is such a budget-friendly, quick project that adds a cozy feel to the room. Follow along to learn how I used a cheap drop-cloth to sew up a quick bed skirt for my boys’ room.

It is currently November and I’m feeling in the mood to do all of the cozy things like baking and making handmade gifts. In addition to it being a cozy time of year, I am nesting as our baby is due in a few short weeks.
Sewing isn’t a hobby I’m always doing. I feel like I go through waves of working on sewing projects. This bed skirt project was quick enough to complete that it moved to the top of my list! If you are a beginner sewer, like me, I highly recommend a project such as this.
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Why Use Drop Cloth For A Bedskirt?
You may be asking yourself why drop cloth would make a good material to use for a bedskirt. I will say that I, personally have been using drop cloth for basically everything lately. Drop cloth is a neutral color, which I love to use around the house. It is also easy to bleach or dye drop cloth to fit your color scheme.
The biggest reason I chose drop cloth is because it is cheap. I can easily re-use this material to make something else if I decide I don’t need this bedskirt in the future. Drop cloth is easy to rip and sew with for multiple projects. I am currently using it in our home to sew slip covers for my vintage couches, a crib skirt, and most recently swapping out my curtains with drop cloth curtains instead! The texture of drop cloth that has been washed is a cozy material that is perfect for this time of year as well.
Why Would You Want A Bedskirt?
I found the need for a bedskirt when I decided to get my son a vintage bed frame. Because of the way the bed is designed, I ended up having to use a metal frame underneath the vintage wood frame. I definitely could have built a wooden frame extension to hold the mattress, but I already had a metal frame that fit underneath.
The metal frame underneath the wooden, vintage frame was pretty unsightly. So, I decided that a bedskirt would fix all of my aesthetic discontentment I was having with the bed.
At first I was planning on using a ruffle to do the bed skirt but decided to go with a simple straight skirt instead since it was for the boys room. I do plan to also make a ruffled crib skirt for my daughter’s crib sometime soon after she is born. However, I’m not in a rush to do that crib skirt because she won’t be sleeping in her crib for a little while.
If you have an older bed or anything with a metal frame, I definitely recommend using a bed skirt. It really does make a bigger difference in the room than I could have ever imagined.
What Supplies You’ll Need To Sew A Bedskirt
- Drop cloth (I used this 9×12 one)
- Sewing Machine
- Fabric material for the base of your box spring (not-seen)
- Thread
- Scissors
How To Sew A Simple Bedskirt Using Drop Cloth
Measure the length and width of your box spring. Be sure to measure a couple inches above the edge. Times each measurement by 2 to get the full length around the box spring.
Cut your base material. I used a sheer curtain that I got at the thrift store.

Next, it is time to measure out the drop cloth. Measure the distance from your base material to the floor. Then, measure the length of one long side. Add an inch to the length and width for seem allowance and another inch to the width for the hem.
Cut drop cloth according to your measurements. Repeat the above steps for the footboard side and the opposing bedside. You do not need to cut material to use for the headboard side if it’s against the wall, like in the photo above.

Now, it’s time to create the hem on the drop cloth. Fold the bottom edge of the drop cloth up 1/2 inch and then another 1/2 inch and topstitch.


Now it’s time to pin the drop cloth skirt onto the base material. With right sides together pin raw edges together. Top stitch all the way around the bedskirt.


Finish raw edges with zigzag stitch or a serger.
You did it! A simple bedskirt was just created by YOU and is currently adding so much coziness to your room.

If you love drop cloth as much as I currently do, I’d love to hear your favorite uses for it in the comments below!
For more encouragement from My Abiding Home:
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