Does your fitted sheet spring off a corner overnight? Custom size fitted sheets are worth paying for if your mattress has unusual dimensions or is too tall for the pockets you can find. If the bed is a standard size, try a better-fitting standard sheet first.
Even the softest fabric won't keep a shallow pocket tucked under a tall mattress. Once the sheet stays put, you can think about how warm you want the rest of the bed to feel.
When custom size fitted sheets are worth it
A made-to-measure fitted sheet makes sense when no stocked sheet matches your bed's width, length, shape or stacked height. You shouldn't have to pull the same corner back on each morning.
Your mattress is wider, shorter or shaped differently
An oversized family bed, RV mattress, narrow bunk or antique bed may have a familiar size name but different measurements. A loose sheet bunches beneath you; a tight one pulls up at the corners. With custom size bed sheets, you order by the mattress's actual width and length.
Tell the maker if your custom mattress has rounded corners, a tapered end or a split at the head. Those details affect how they cut the sheet. Two separate adjustable mattresses may need only two standard fitted sheets if both halves come in stocked sizes.
The mattress and topper are too deep for the pocket
Include any permanent topper when you measure a deep mattress. If the pocket can't cover the whole stack and grip underneath, try a stocked extra-deep sheet before paying for a custom depth.
If the pocket is much too deep, the spare fabric can gather beneath you.
You've already tried a correctly sized standard sheet
If the width, length and pocket all match but the sheet still slides off, feel the elastic. Worn elastic may be the culprit. You could replace it or choose a standard sheet with elastic all the way around.
When a standard sheet is enough
Standard bedding costs less when your mattress matches a stocked size and its pocket covers the full depth. Compare width, length and depth, not just the word “queen” or “deep.” The Company Store's sheet-size guide also calls for all three dimensions.
If your sheet fits but feels rough, look for soft bed sheets in a fabric and weave you like. Paying for custom cutting won't change how the cloth feels.
Your situation |
Try first |
Consider custom when |
|---|---|---|
Standard width and length, tall mattress |
A stocked deep-pocket sheet with a stated depth range |
The full mattress-and-topper stack exceeds available pockets |
Odd width or length |
A ready-made specialty size, if it matches your measurements |
Stocked sizes leave slack or pull up |
Two separate adjustable mattresses |
Two fitted sheets sized to the individual halves |
The bed has a joined section or unusual split geometry |
Corners slip on a correctly sized bed |
Fresh elastic or a better-gripping standard sheet |
Correctly sized replacements still fail to stay tucked |
How to measure for custom size bed sheets
Measure the mattress, not the sheet you've been using. Old fabric may have stretched or shrunk, and the size name on an RV or vintage mattress won't tell you its exact dimensions.
Remove the bedding. Keep on any topper or pad that will always sit inside the fitted sheet.
Measure width and length. Run a tape across the sleeping surface edge to edge at its widest points; note any taper or rounded corners.
Measure the total depth. Measure vertically from the top sleeping surface to the bottom of the mattress stack, including a permanent topper. Don't include the bed frame.
Describe splits and curves. For a split-top bed, note where the split begins and its length. For a nonrectangular bed, give the maker a sketch as well as measurements.
Give actual measurements, not a DIY seam allowance. Makers differ in how much they add for tuck, elastic and fabric shrinkage. Tell them the mattress measurements and ask what their measuring form means by “depth.”
Say your mattress measures 60 by 80 inches and you leave a topper on it. Give the maker the height of that whole stack, rather than the height on the mattress tag. Measure twice: a sheet cut to your dimensions may have restricted returns.
"Measure the mattress with any topper in place, then compare that measurement with the listed pocket capacity." - Cozy Earth
Custom made bed sheets versus standard sheets: what's the tradeoff?
If your bed is an odd size, custom cutting can give you a closer fit. Expect a possible price increase and production wait, and read the lead time and return terms before you order.
Choice |
Best reason to buy |
Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
Standard fitted sheet |
Your measured bed matches a stocked size and pocket |
May slip or bunch if the fit is only approximate |
Stocked deep-pocket or specialty sheet |
The dimensions match without made-to-order work |
Fewer fabric and color choices in uncommon sizes |
Custom made bed sheets |
Width, length, depth or shape can't be matched off the shelf |
Made-to-order pricing and potentially restricted returns |
There's no need to replace a perfectly good top sheet. Buy a fitted sheet on its own, and wait until it fits well before ordering a spare.
Do you need custom made bed covers too?
You may only need a new fitted sheet. Flat sheets, blankets and comforters don't grip the mattress, so you can keep a duvet that already drapes the way you like.
On a very wide bed, though, a standard comforter can leave the sides exposed. Measure how far you'd like it to hang before buying custom made bed covers or an oversized insert. Size the duvet cover to the insert.
Warmy & Tummy has comforters and blankets for different warmth preferences. With its mix-and-match comforter, you can choose the fill and shell after sorting out the fitted sheet. The brand's comforter customization isn't an offer of made-to-measure fitted sheets.
So, is custom size bedding worth the extra cost?
Yes, if no stocked fitted sheet matches your mattress's measurements and pocket depth. You can stop dealing with a loose corner or fabric folded under your back. For a standard mattress, start with a sheet that has the right pocket and sound elastic.
For a cozier top layer, take a look at Warmy & Tummy's organic cotton goose down comforter or merino wool blanket. Choose your fitted sheet by measurement and your top layer by how warm you like to sleep.
FAQ
How do I change the size of a fitted sheet?
You can alter a fitted sheet by resewing its corners and elastic, but the result depends on your sewing skill and the fabric available. If you need a larger sheet, alteration can't create missing fabric; order a size that matches your measured mattress instead.
How much bigger should a fitted sheet be than the mattress?
Give a custom-sheet maker your mattress's actual width, length and total depth, rather than adding extra inches yourself. The maker should account for the under-mattress tuck, elastic and any fabric allowance; for stocked sheets, use the stated mattress size and pocket-depth range.
Where can I buy individual fitted sheets?
Look for fitted-sheet-only listings from bedding sellers rather than sheet sets. If your mattress is unusual, request a single fitted sheet made to your width, length and depth; you don't need to replace your top sheet or pillowcases if they still fit.
Where can I buy custom size bed sheets?
Made-to-measure bedding sellers offer fitted sheets ordered by mattress measurements, while some retailers arrange custom orders through their bedding makers. Compare the fabric, pocket construction, production time and return policy before ordering.
