A bed skirt is three fabric panels sewn together and attached to a platform that slides under your mattress

A bed skirt (also called a dust ruffle) hangs from a wooden or plastic frame that sits on top of your box spring or foundation, hidden by the mattress. The skirt itself is made of three pieces of fabric: a top platform that lies flat, and three fabric panels that drape down the sides and foot of the bed. You sew the panels to the platform, then slide the whole assembly under the mattress to hold it in place.

The advantage of sewing your own is that you choose the fabric, the length of the drape, and whether you want a straightforward hem or a ruffle. A store-bought skirt costs $40 to $150 depending on size and fabric. Sewing one takes a few hours and costs $15 to $40 in fabric and thread, depending on what you already have.

This guide assumes you have a sewing machine, basic thread, and a measuring tape. You will need to measure your bed, choose fabric, cut panels, and sew seams. If you have never sewn before, a bed skirt is a good first project because the seams are straight and forgiving.

Key Takeaways

  • Measure your bed's length, width, and the distance from the top of the box spring to the floor to know how much fabric to buy.
  • A bed skirt platform can be made from muslin or cotton, and the visible skirt panels can be any fabric that matches your room.
  • You will sew the three skirt panels to the platform using a straight stitch, then attach the platform to your bed frame or let the mattress hold it in place.
  • The most common mistake is cutting panels too short; measure twice and add an extra inch to your desired drop length before cutting.
  • A straightforward hem takes about 30 minutes per panel; a gathered or pleated ruffle adds another hour or two to the project.

Measure your bed and calculate fabric yardage

Start by measuring three things: the length of your bed (head to foot), the width (side to side), and the distance from the top of your box spring to the floor. Write these down. A standard queen bed is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long; a king is 76 by 80. The drop distance is usually 12 to 18 inches, depending on how high your bed sits.

You need fabric for three panels: two side panels and one foot panel. Each panel should be as long as the bed dimension it covers (80 inches for the sides, 60 inches for the foot) and as tall as your drop distance plus 1 inch for seams and hem. If your drop is 15 inches, each panel should be cut to 16 inches tall.

For the platform, you can use muslin or an old cotton sheet. The platform should be roughly 60 by 80 inches (or your bed's exact dimensions). Most fabric stores sell muslin by the yard; a queen platform needs about 5 yards of 45-inch-wide muslin, or 2.5 yards of 60-inch-wide muslin. For the skirt panels, buy fabric that coordinates with your bedding. If you want a straightforward skirt without gathers, buy 4 to 5 yards total for all three panels. If you want a gathered ruffle, buy 6 to 8 yards because gathered fabric takes up more length.

Cut the platform and prepare the panels

Lay out your muslin on a large, flat surface (a bed or floor works). Using a measuring tape and a fabric marker or chalk, mark out a rectangle the size of your bed's top surface. For a queen, that is 60 by 80 inches. Cut along the lines with sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter. This is your platform.

Next, cut your three skirt panels. Lay out your chosen fabric and cut two side panels that are 80 inches long and 16 inches tall (or your drop distance plus 1 inch). Cut one foot panel that is 60 inches long and 16 inches tall. If your fabric is narrower than 80 inches, you will need to sew two pieces together end-to-end to make a panel long enough. Use a straight stitch and a half-inch seam allowance, then press the seam flat with an iron.

Before you attach the panels to the platform, finish the bottom and side edges of each panel with a straightforward hem. Fold the bottom edge up half an inch, press it with an iron, fold it up another half inch, press again, and sew it down with a straight stitch about a quarter inch from the fold. Do the same for the two side edges of each panel. This keeps the fabric from fraying and gives the skirt a finished look.

Attach the panels to the platform with a straight seam

Lay your platform flat on a table or bed. Place one side panel face-down on top of the platform, aligning the top edge of the panel with one long edge of the platform. The hemmed edges of the panel should face outward (away from the platform). Pin the panel to the platform every few inches along the seam line.

Using a sewing machine set to a straight stitch, sew the panel to the platform with a half-inch seam allowance. Start at one corner and sew all the way to the other corner. Remove the pins as you go. Repeat this process for the other side panel on the opposite long edge of the platform, and then for the foot panel on one short edge of the platform.

After you have sewn all three panels, press all the seams flat with an iron. The seams will be on the underside of the platform, hidden when the skirt is on the bed. Trim any loose threads.

Add a ruffle or pleats if you want a decorative edge

A straightforward hemmed panel is functional and clean. If you want a more decorative look, you can gather the panels before attaching them to the platform, or add a ruffle along the bottom edge after the skirt is assembled.

To gather a panel, sew two parallel lines of long, loose stitches (about a quarter inch apart) along the top edge of the panel, about half an inch from the edge. Leave long thread tails at both ends. Gently pull the thread tails to bunch the fabric, then adjust the gathers evenly across the panel. Once the gathered panel is the right length to fit the platform edge, tie off the threads. Then sew the gathered panel to the platform using the same method as above.

To add a ruffle, cut a strip of fabric about 4 inches tall and as long as the bottom edge of your finished skirt. Fold it in half lengthwise, press it, and gather it the same way. Pin the ruffle to the hemmed bottom edge of the skirt panels and sew it on with a straight stitch. This adds volume and a tailored look.

Slide the skirt under your mattress and find it

Once your bed skirt is complete, lay it on top of your box spring with the platform facing up and the panels hanging down. The platform should cover the top of the box spring completely. Slide your mattress on top of the platform. The weight of the mattress will hold the skirt in place.

If your bed frame has a lip or rail that prevents the skirt from sitting flat, you can attach the platform to the frame with small L-brackets or velcro strips. Velcro is easier to remove later if you want to wash the skirt. Attach one side of the velcro to the underside of the platform and the other side to the top of the box spring or frame, then press them together.

Check that all three panels hang evenly and that the hem is not dragging on the floor. If one panel is shorter than the others, you can add a strip of fabric to the bottom, or remove the hem and re-sew it lower. If a panel is too long, trim it and re-hem.

Wash and care for your bed skirt

A bed skirt collects dust and should be washed every few months. If you used velcro to attach it, peel it off the platform. If the mattress is holding it in place, straightforward slide it out from under the bed.

Check the fabric care label on your chosen material. Most cotton and muslin can be machine washed in warm water on a gentle cycle and dried on low heat or air-dried. If you used a delicate fabric like linen or a blend, hand wash or use a delicate cycle. Press the seams and hem with an iron after washing to keep them crisp.

Store the skirt in a clean, dry place. If you fold it, fold it along the seams to avoid permanent creases in the fabric. If you have room, roll it loosely around a cardboard tube instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a bed skirt without a sewing machine?

Yes, but it takes much longer. You can hand-sew all the seams using a needle and thread, using a running stitch or backstitch. Each seam will take 30 to 45 minutes by hand instead of 5 to 10 minutes on a machine. You can also use fabric glue or fusible webbing to attach the panels to the platform, though this is less durable and may not hold through washing.

What if my bed is a non-standard size, like a daybed or California king?

Measure your bed's exact dimensions and cut the platform and panels to match. A daybed is usually 38 inches wide and 75 inches long; a California king is 72 by 84 inches. The same sewing method works for any size. Just buy enough fabric to cover the dimensions you measure.

Can I use a patterned fabric or a knit instead of cotton?

Yes. Patterned cotton, linen, or cotton blends all work well. Knits are trickier because they stretch and can pucker when sewn. If you use a knit, use a ballpoint needle in your machine and sew slowly. Avoid very stretchy fabrics like lycra or swimsuit material.

How do I keep the bed skirt from sliding around under the mattress?

Velcro strips on the underside of the platform and the top of the box spring are the most reliable method. Alternatively, you can sew small loops to the corners of the platform and tie them to the frame with ribbon. Some people use non-slip shelf liner glued to the underside of the platform.

What if I want to remove the bed skirt seasonally?

If you use velcro or ties instead of sewing the platform to the frame, you can remove the entire skirt in seconds. Store it in a pillowcase or garment bag to keep it clean. This is especially useful if you want to change the skirt's color or pattern with the seasons.