Are you tired of finding clean bedding and blankets scattered on the floor, especially after you’ve just washed them? Well, I have some exciting news for you! I recently discovered a solution that not only solves this problem but also simplifies busy mornings and eliminates the daily argument of bed-making with your kids. Let me introduce you to my new favorite mama hack: zippered bedding!
Zippered bedding is one of those things you never knew you needed until you try it. You’ll quickly realize how much this single product can simplify your life as a busy parent. I don’t know about you, but I’m willing to try anything that reduces arguments with my kids, gives me a few extra moments to myself, or simplifies our hectic mornings. And zippered bedding does just that!
What exactly is zippered bedding?
Have you come across the ads from Beddy’s on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest? I hadn’t even heard of zippered bedding until I saw one of their ads. During the middle of quarantine in March, I took the bait and clicked on their link, which led me down the rabbit hole of Beddy’s advertisements everywhere.
Beddy’s is one of the leading brands behind a new type of bedding that caters to everyone. It consists of a fitted bottom sheet, a blanket, and a comforter all in one piece. This unique bedding is perfect for kids or RV beds because it easily goes on like a fitted sheet. The two zippers that attach the comforter to the bottom sheet make bed-making a breeze. All it takes is a simple zip, and the bed is made!
Why should you consider zippered bedding?
Functional: Zippered bedding is a game-changer for anyone who spends time in a pop-up trailer, camper, or RV. With their compact size, these beds can be challenging to find bedding for that fits properly and stays in place. However, with zippered bedding, all those issues disappear. It fits snugly on the bed and stays put, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable and secure night’s sleep. Plus, since it’s all one piece, making the bed takes just a few seconds. No more struggling with stuffing a comforter into a duvet cover or dealing with fitted sheets that never seem to fit right. Zippered bedding is the perfect solution for making bed-making quick and easy, even in small spaces.
Simple and easy to use: The beauty of zippered bedding lies in its simplicity. By combining all the traditional bedding components into a single unit, it streamlines the bed-making process and keeps everything in place. No more slipping and sliding, or waking up in the middle of the night to find your blankets bunched up at the foot of the bed. And with the fitted sheet sewn in, there’s no need to worry about it coming loose or bunching up. The zippers on either side of the bedding allow you to customize the warmth and comfort of your bed to suit your personal preferences. You can unzip the bedding to use just the fitted sheet and blanket on warmer nights, or zip it up and use the comforter for added warmth. It’s a versatile and convenient solution for any type of sleeper.
Comfortable: Experience the ultimate comfort with DIY zippered bedding. By making your own bedding, you have the opportunity to customize every aspect to fit your personal preferences. For an extra layer of softness and warmth, use minky fabric for the lining. And with the inclusion of comfort panels over the zippers, you can enjoy even more comfort as you sleep. The combination of the minky lining and the outer quilt creates a cozy and comfortable comforter that will leave you feeling rested and refreshed each morning.
When I first came across Beddy’s and the concept of zippered bedding, I was instantly drawn to it. However, the high price tag made it difficult for me to justify purchasing for all four of my kids.
A school bus conversion changed everything
Then my husband surprised me by buying an old school bus. Yes, you read that right! He bought a school bus, and you can read all about it here. As we delved into our school bus conversion and started planning, I quickly realized that regular bedding wouldn’t work for our four kids’ bunk beds. I couldn’t imagine blankets, sheets, stuffed animals, and pillows overflowing from the bunks into our already tiny space. That’s when I knew we needed functional, warm, kid-friendly, and small-space-friendly bedding. That’s when I decided to make my own zippered bedding.
Making your own zippered bedding
As a busy mom, I’m always looking for ways to make motherhood easier, and the zippered bedding tutorial from Twirlybird Patterns really delivered. Their step-by-step instructions were easy to follow, and the tutorial included helpful photographs. With the guidance provided, I was able to create beautiful zippered bedding sets for our RV-sized bunk mattresses and a full-size bed for our school bus conversion. My entire family, from my toddler to our pets, loves these bedding sets, and they’ve made a big difference in our daily routine. I’m so glad I found this tutorial and decided to make my own zippered bedding.
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What you’ll need:
If you prefer to avoid a trip to the store and have all the items shipped straight to your door, here’s a complete list of what you’ll need to complete this project. Simply place your order, and your box full of goodies will arrive in just a few days!
I’ve created a shopping list on Amazon that includes everything I used for this project. While you can tackle this project without all of these items, I highly recommend investing in them before you begin. Trust me, it will make your life much easier!
- Sewing instructions from Twirlybird Patterns (you can find them on their Etsy page)
- Fabric – You’ll need 4 different fabrics. Make sure to read the directions thoroughly to determine the correct yardage you’ll need:
- Top quilt and sides
- Minky lining
- Flannel lining
- Sheet
- Thread that blends in with your quilt
- Seam ripper
- Extra needles
- Basting needle
- Extra bobbins
- 1/4 inch braided elastic*
- Rotary cutter
- Metal yardstick
- Cutting mat
- Plastic clips
- Pins
- Chalk marker
- Bobbin winder
- Safety pin
*Please use braided elastic as it can withstand the necessary stretch for this project without breaking.
**You can either purchase zippers to size or buy them in bulk and make your own. Making your own zippers is simple and allows you to achieve the exact look you want at a fraction of the price!
Tips for making zippered bedding
While Twirlybird Patterns did an excellent job of providing clear instructions, I discovered a few additional tips while sewing five of these zippered bedding sets. These tips made the process much easier for me, and I hope they can help you too!
- Use this sewing pattern! The best advice I can give you is to purchase the sewing pattern from Twirlybird Patterns on Etsy. It’s affordable and worth every penny.
- Read the instructions first! Make sure to read the cut list before buying any fabric. Even though I tend to overbuy fabric, I made the mistake of purchasing fabric before reading the instructions and ended up with more than I needed. Take the time to measure and plan your cuts to ensure you purchase enough fabric for each type.
- Don’t skip steps. It may sound simple, but there were a few steps I initially skipped to save time. However, that backfired. Those steps that you’re tempted to skip are often the most crucial ones, so stick to the directions.
- Reread every step. If you’re like me and not an experienced seamstress, it’s essential to read and re-read many steps before actually doing them. Double-checking the photos can help ensure you’re on the right track. There’s a fair amount of switching between fabric sides, stitch types, and sewing machine feet, so double-checking can save you from having to tear out stitches.
- Measure twice, cut once. This saying holds true in sewing, especially for larger projects like zippered bedding where there isn’t much excess fabric. Avoid costly mistakes by measuring everything twice.
- Use the right tools. Using the proper tools makes any task more enjoyable and improves the result. While you can get by without all the supplies listed, investing in them will help you achieve a professional-looking product and save you frustration.
- Buy extra bobbins and needles. Needles can break while sewing, causing frustration if you don’t have replacements. The same goes for bobbins since this project requires a lot of thread. Have extra bobbins filled and ready to switch them out quickly and maintain your sewing rhythm.
- Have a bobbin winder. Using a separate bobbin winding machine, if possible, can make the process faster and prevent you from having to re-thread your sewing machine needle repeatedly.
- Choose your fabric. One of the best parts of making your own zippered bedding is the ability to customize it. Don’t limit yourself to only buying fabric from stores like Joann’s. Look around your house for extra sheet sets or blankets you can repurpose. You can also find bulk fabric or pre-made quilts online that can be cut to size.
- Wash your fabric first. Don’t skip this step! Washing and drying your fabric before sewing ensures that your finished product will still look great after the first wash.
- Buy these clips! Regular pins aren’t ideal for holding multiple layers of fabric together, like with zippered bedding. I struggled with regular pins until I bought these sewing clips from Amazon. They’re inexpensive, easy to use, and perfect for quickly securing fabric layers. They’ve held up well, even when my toddler tried to help by stepping on them!
I hope you have as much fun choosing your zippered bedding look as I did! There are endless possibilities for colors, patterns, and styles, allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind look.
If you have any questions, please feel free to drop them in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to be the first to hear about new and exciting projects!
Update on the zippered bedding pattern
I’ve been receiving numerous messages about the zippered bedding pattern. Unfortunately, the designer behind the pattern, A Handcrafted Journey, has decided not to release the new/second DIY zippered bedding pattern she designed. While I understand her reasons for protecting herself, her family, and her business, I’m also disappointed that this pattern isn’t available for everyone at the moment.
I recommend following A Handcrafted Journey on Instagram for any updates regarding this bedding pattern. Hopefully, she’ll decide to release it again on her Etsy page in the future. Fingers crossed!
XO,
Morgan
