How to Add Trim to Bed Linen

Bed linen with trim is always captivating, and what's more, it's usually designer sets and priced accordingly. If you add trim to a sheet set on your own, you can save a lot of money and create some great designer-style looks on your own. All you need is basic sewing skills, some suitable trim and a plain set of sheets.

1. 

    Find suitable trim.
   Find suitable trim. The trim should reflect your own preferences and match the sheets and style of bedding. You can use braid, ribbon, fabric strips, trimmings, lace, etc. Keep in mind to keep in budget! When purchasing trim, have the sheet measurements with you and allow an extra 5 cm each end for each edging.
2. Cut each trim to measure the width of the sheet. Leave 1 cm allowance at each end to turn the raw edges of the trim under the sheet ends. Do the same for the pillowcase ruffs.
3. Decide how you want your trim to appear. This is the "design" part. If you are adding more than one piece of trim (for example, you might be making a row of different trims, work out the pattern placement. Be sure to check that this fits alongside the sheet edge or pillowcase ruff.
4. Pin the edges into place. Make sure that you tuck the raw edges under and pin them into place as well.
5. Machine stitch along both sides of each piece of trim as close the edge as possible. Keep all pieces well aligned and ensure that they are joining one another evenly.
6. Finish off by sewing the raw edges into place. Cut off any excess threads.

• If you are using very narrow trims, such as thin satin ribbon, simply sew down the middle using a thread color as close as possible to the ribbon. This will suffice rather than using stitching each side of the trim.

• Trim (grosgrain ribbon, satin ribbon, cotton fabric strips, trim, braid, lace, etc.)
• Sewing machine
• Thread in appropriate colors
• Custom-made sheet set and pillowcases