Sewing Ideas for a Full Size Bedspread

Simple and Easy

• Sewing a simple bedspread is an easy project. A bolt of fabric measured and cut to the dimensions of your bed can be hemmed and placed on the bed as a covering. When measuring, make sure your dimensions include enough fabric to fall completely to the floor on each side of the bed. Traditional bedspreads cover the entire top of the bed as well as the sides and hang loosely to the floor, hiding the underside of the bed itself.

Patchwork

• Express your creativity by creating a patchwork bedspread using cut pieces of old clothing, blankets, sheets or other miscellaneous material you might have laying around. Cut each piece into squares, rectangles or a variety of interesting shapes, then put them together much like a jigsaw puzzle. Sew each piece together on the reverse side with a 1/4-inch hem and press them flat as you go. Purchase an additional piece of material that's cut to the size of your bedspread. Once the patchwork is complete, sew the two pieces together, keeping the exterior sides facing each other. Leave a small opening in which to pull the material through and turn it right-side out. Hand stitch the opening and press it flat for a patchwork bedspread that will create texture and interest in your room.

Quilting

• A quilt is one of the most popular types of bedspreads. It contains a variety of coordinated materials that are cut in specific shapes then sewn together in a pattern. The quilt includes a fiber filling that's sandwiched between the top and bottom pieces and sewn through to create a puffy look to the finished piece. Quilts can range from simple designs to works of art, yet all contain that basic structure.

Mixed media

• Creating a quilt that's uniquely yours often entails mixing different forms of sewing and needlecraft techniques. Mixing media in this way can give you a chance to explore new hobbies or enlist your friends and relatives in the creation of your bedspread. From crochet to needlepoint, each created "patch" can be sewn together with a single bordering color that ties everything together. A neutral colored backing cloth helps protect the top piece and adds weight, allowing it to lay properly.