Custom Sheets For Your Travel Cot

Custom Sheets For Your Travel Cot

When planning our road trip over the summer we knew we needed a comfortable spot for the kids to sleep. While staying in hotels on the way to and from our Canadian destinations we couldn’t guarantee that there would be a pull out couch and figured Zoey wouldn’t accept sleeping in our travel playard like she had the previous time we stayed in a hotel. Looking into products online we decided to buy the girls each their own portable toddler bed. Some of the online reviews on Amazon complained about the horizontal bar in the center of the bed but neither kid noticed this before or during our trip. Each cot came with a single fitted canvas sheet for when the bed is setup along with a bag to hold the collapsed cot and sling it over your shoulder. I had sewn up two different sets of sheets for Ada’s toddler bed at this point (later sewed two more for Zoey) and since I wanted to make the cots more home-like decided to sew up travel sheets for the girls.

We bought a portable toddler bed for the girls while we travel and I ended up sewing up a fitted sheet and top sheet for them. Here's how I made it!

Before sewing the sheets I had each girl choose their own fabric at the local Joann’s. I knew I succeeded when I put the first fitted sheet on the cot to check the tightness of the elastic and Ada immediately tested it out saying “this is super duper comfy with no pillow and no anything attached to it”. Later when on our trip I was able to roll up the sheets and store them between the legs of the collapsed cot to include in the cot’s carrying bag for ease in transporting, I then stored the kids’ quilts (thanks for making them Anna!) so they’d be easy to find in the car, easy to carry, quick to unpack in the hotels, and be their own little piece of home while we traveled.


Materials

  • Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed; includes a fitted sheet and travel case that I bought through Amazon.com and later found on their website.
  • Used the same materials as my toddler fitted sheets post with slightly less fabric and elastic used.
  • Under 4 yards of fabric if making the fitted sheet and half fitted top sheet
  • 1/4″ elastic for the fitted sheet and the bottom section of the top sheet
  • sewing machine, rotary cutter and cutting mat, thread, ruler
  • (optional) decorative or special colored thread for top-stitching details.

Overview or TL;DR

Fitted Sheet

  1. Cut fabric to size. I did 27.5 by 50 inches.
  2. Cut out 2.5 inch squares from all four corners.
  3. Right sides together sew the corners closed.
  4. Create a channel for the elastic by folding up all sides (small fold then a larger fold to hide the raw edge) and sew along the edge of the fold to create a channel.
  5. Thread the elastic through. I cut mine to 57 inches long.
  6. Test it out to see if it’s too big or small. You could also keep the elastic on the roll until you know the length for sure.
  7. Sew the two ends of the elastic together with a stretch stitch, hide it inside the channeling, and sew the hole closed.

Half-fitted Top Sheet

  1. Cut fabric to size. I cut it to the same size as the fitted sheet (27.5 by 50 inches), but looking back I should have either cut it longer or folded the top down less at the end.
  2. Cut out 2.5 inch squares from the bottom two corners.
  3. Sew those two corners closed so the corners fold down.
  4. Starting a quarter to a half way from the sewn corners create an elastic channel from the one side to the other (step 4 above but leaving out the top).
  5. Thread the elastic in, check how long it should be, and sew it down on either side.
  6. Fold over the remainder of the sides, the same way as before, and sew it down so the sides are finished.
  7. Finish the top of the sheet with your preference. I folded it over a tad and then folded it over a larger amount before sewing along the edge and then adding decorative top stitching.

I have more detailed directions below but if you want a different take I also blogged about my first fitted sheet, top sheet, and pillowcase set I made for my daughter’s toddler bed (with a crib/toddler sized mattress). I followed similar steps her just making the dimensions smaller to fit the cot instead of a mattress. I also left out the pillowcase as that’s one less thing we needed to keep track of in our travels.


First Fitted Sheet

The cot came with a fitted sheet already but I wasn’t sure how comfortable it would be. I decided to continue using their fitted sheet and put my sheets over top for extra layers and cushioning.

The Regalo portable toddler cot we bought for the girls came with a fitted sheet.
The Regalo portable toddler cot we bought for the girls came with a fitted sheet.

Before continuing I decided to take one of my extra crib sheets just to triple check it was in fact bigger than the cot. I figured if it fit I could use the same measurements as before.

Just in case I put a crib fitted sheet over the cot and it was a bit too big.
Just in case I put a crib fitted sheet over the cot and it was a bit too big.

I measured the width and length of the surface of the cot along with the dimensions (including depth from the elastic) of the fitted sheet that came with the cot. I took the width and length measurements and added the depth of the fitted sheet twice to get the final cutting measurements. I rounded up slightly as I figured since the fitted sheet has elastic it didn’t matter if my sheet is slightly too big as the elastic can cinch it in further. I started by sewing the one fitted sheet, confirmed it worked, and then went on to sew the other fitted sheet and two top sheets at the same time.

When cutting I folded the fabric in half so it would fit on my cutting mat better and made sure to square up the end before measuring and cutting the length of the fitted sheet. After cutting it out I stacked up the corners and cut a 2.5 inch square out of all the corners.

I folded my fabric over for easier cutting and then evened out the end by trimming it.
I folded my fabric over for easier cutting and then evened out the end by trimming it.

Next I sewed my corners closed by putting the two edges of the squares I cut right sides together and sewed them. I then went on to create a tunnel for the elastic by flipping the raw edges over slightly (to hide the raw edge) and then a second time, wide enough for the elastic to fit. Next I sewed along the inner fold. Don’t forget to leave an opening to get your elastic in.

Flip the edge of the sheet over and sew along the edge. This creates a channel for the elastic so make sure it's wide enough. Also be sure to leave an open space to thread the elastic in.
Flip the edge of the sheet over and sew along the edge. This creates a channel for the elastic so make sure it’s wide enough. Also be sure to leave an open space to thread the elastic in.
You could flip a bit, iron, flip over again, iron, and then sew if you want to be exact. I, instead, folded and lined up the edge as I was sewing.
You could flip a bit, iron, flip over again, iron, and then sew if you want to be exact. I, instead, folded and lined up the edge as I was sewing.
I used sewing clips to mark where I started sewing and where I wanted to stop so there would be a space to thread the elastic in.
I used sewing clips to mark where I started sewing and where I wanted to stop so there would be a space to thread the elastic in.

After creating the channel I cut my 1/4″ elastic to size by using the same length (57″) I measured from the cot’s fitted sheet. Remember you’ll need to add a bit to the length if you want to overlap the ends of the elastic more when you sew the loop closed later. If you wanted you could also leave it on the roll instead of cutting it to size but I didn’t want to worry about the kids unrolling it when I tried it on the cot later. I used a sewing clip to attach the one end to the sheets so it wouldn’t disappear inside while I was threading it then I used a safety pin on the other end to thread the elastic through the channeling. Once done I clipped either end of the elastic together and tested the fit on the cot before sewing the elastic together. Next I finished by sewing the hole closed.

If you cut the length of elastic ahead of time you can use a sewing clip to fasten it to the edge so the end doesn't disappear inside of the fitted sheet.
If you cut the length of elastic ahead of time you can use a sewing clip to fasten it to the edge so the end doesn’t disappear inside of the fitted sheet.
I came out from sewing the fitted sheet to Zoey testing out the cot.
I came out from sewing the fitted sheet to Zoey testing out the cot.
I wanted to test if the elastic was tight enough and Ada wanted to try it out too.
I wanted to test if the elastic was tight enough and Ada wanted to try it out too.
After confirming the elastic I brought it back to my sewing machine to sew the ends together and close the remaining hole.
After confirming the elastic’s length I brought it back to my sewing machine to sew the ends together and close the remaining hole.

Other Bottom Sheet and Top Sheets

Once my first fitted sheet was done and I knew it worked I went on to create the other fitted sheet and both of the top half fitted sheets. Again I folded over my fabric and marked the measurements before cutting it.

Again I folded the fabric over so it fit on the table better, lined it up, and then measured half the width I wanted from the fold before cutting it.
Again I folded the fabric over so it fit on the table better, lined it up, and then measured half the width I wanted from the fold before cutting it.

For the other bottom sheet I lined up all four corners before cutting a 2.5 inch square. For the top half-fitted sheets I lined up the two bottom corners to cut out the 2.5 inch square and left the top corners alone.

I then lined up a 2.5 inch square out of all four corners
I then lined up a 2.5 inch square out of all four corners for the fitted sheet and out of the two bottom corners for the top sheets.
I used my rotary cutter to cut the square as far as I could.
I used my rotary cutter to cut the square as far as I could.
And then finished my cut with my scissors.
And then finished my cut with my scissors.

After sewing the corners closed I then folded over the edges twice and then sewed along the edge creating a channel for the elastic to go through. Again, you’ll need a space to thread the elastic through.

Flip the edge over a bit.
Flip the edge over a bit.
Then flip it over again so the raw edge is hidden.
Then flip it over again so the raw edge is hidden.
Then sew over the edge keeping the fold in place as you go and leaving a tunnel for the elastic.
Then sew over the edge keeping the fold in place as you go and leaving a tunnel for the elastic.

When threading the bottom fitted sheet I used my sewing clips to attach the end of the elastic so it wouldn’t disappear inside of the sheet. I then pulled the beginning of the elastic, using a safety pin, through until it reached the other end of the opening. I then overlapped the two ends of the elastic, pinned it in place, and tested it out on the cot. Once I was sure I had the proper length I sewed the two ends together, hid it inside the channel, and sewed up the hole.

With the elastic I clipped the end to the sheet so I wouldn't pull it in too far while threading it into the fitted sheet.
With the elastic I clipped the end to the sheet so I wouldn’t pull it in too far while threading it into the fitted sheet.

For the top half fitted sheets the elastic doesn’t go all the way around. I started the channeling about a third to a halfway up the sheets from the bottom. I then started threading the elastic from the one end to the other. Once you have the right length (I made sure it look just as cinched as the bottom sheets) I trimmed the excess elastic and sewed either end to the sheets.

Thread the elastic through from the one side to the other. I used sewing clips to make sure my end wouldn't disappear though you could wait until it's almost gone and then sew it in place before continuing.
Thread the elastic through from the one side to the other. I used sewing clips to make sure my end wouldn’t disappear though you could wait until it’s almost gone and then sew it in place before continuing.
Then sew it in place. I reversed over the elastic several times to make sure it was secure.
Then sew it in place. I reversed over the elastic several times to make sure it was secure.
For the other end I kept the safety pin on the elastic and made sure it was out of my needles path. This way I could sew closer to the end of the elastic than I would've by holding it.
For the other end I kept the safety pin on the elastic and made sure it was out of my needles path. This way I could sew closer to the end of the elastic than I would’ve by holding it.

I hemmed the rest of either side by folding over the rest of the sides of the sheet like before and top stitching it down. When I got near to the corners I attempted to fold in the corner a bit so it wouldn’t stick out when I flipped the whole top over later.

I then sewed from the elastic end points up the side of the sheet so the edging was continued.
I then sewed from the elastic end points up the side of the sheet so the edging was continued.
And then tucked the corner in right before getting to the end so it wouldn't stick out when folding over the top.
And then tucked the corner in right before getting to the end so it wouldn’t stick out when folding over the top.
From the top it looks like there's a little angled 'cut'.
From the top it looks like there’s a little angled ‘cut’.
My tuck in didn't work on the other side so here's how it looks there.
My tuck in didn’t work on the other side so here’s how it looks there.

An alternative to sewing the elastic and then the rest of the sides of the top sheet would be if you sewed it more similarly to the bottom fitted sheet. In this case you’d want to sew the channeling/hem starting from the top corner down the sheet, along the bottom, and up the side to the other top corner. You’d have to leave two gaps to thread the elastic through afterwards and then sew them closed after you thread the elastic.

An alternative is to sew most of the sheet leaving a space like the fitted sheet but this time on either side.
An alternative is to sew most of the sheet leaving a space like the fitted sheet but this time on either side.
After threading the elastic enough the end almost pops in you sew the end down, then drag the elastic back to the other opening, and then sew it down too.
After threading the elastic enough the end almost pops in you sew the end down, then drag the elastic back to the other opening, and then sew it down too.
Here you can see the elastic poking out a bit after I sewed it down. You can trim it if you want. Then sew the opening closed like before.
Here you can see the elastic poking out a bit after I sewed it down. You can trim it if you want. Then sew the opening closed like before.

Top Of The Top Sheets

Once you’re done sewing the sides and elastic you’re ready for the top of the half-fitted sheet. After figuring out how tall I wanted the folded section to be I measured and marked along the top. Once I was ready I flipped the top over a bit to hide the raw edge and then flipped it again to meet the mark I made. I then sewed along the folded edge.

I then measured and marked how far down I wanted the top to be folding down.... though looking back I wish I kept more height.
I then measured and marked how far down I wanted the top to be folding down…. though looking back I wish I kept more height.
I then made sure to fold it over twice so the raw end was hidden and it lined up with my markings.
I then made sure to fold it over twice so the raw end was hidden and it lined up with my markings.

If you have a corner that might stick out you can try to stick it in as you sew that section.

At the end I tried to tuck in the corner so it wouldn't be sticking out.
At the end I tried to tuck in the corner so it wouldn’t be sticking out.
Laid it down and then sewed over it.
Laid it down and then sewed over it.

I used a variegated thread I had to topstitch the top sheet as I wanted to add something else to the sheets.

I threaded some color changing thread on my bobbin so I can add decorative stitching to the top of the top sheets. Loved the way the bobbin rolled up.
I threaded some color changing thread on my bobbin so I can add decorative stitching to the top of the top sheets. Loved the way the bobbin rolled up.

And you’re done. I later added little sleeping bags for their crocheted dolls. I love how simple these were to set up and take down. I rolled up the sheets and sleeping bag and tucked it between the legs of the cot when it was collapsed. Then the dolls and blanket came along in a separate bag but everything was readily available when we checked in at a hotel late at night.

One cot all put away and one cot set up.
One cot all put away and one cot set up.
Both cots set up with their newly created sheets.
Both cots set up with their newly created sheets.
To make them feel more like home I added the blankets they use in their bedroom.
To make them feel more like home I added the blankets they use in their bedroom.
All ready for a 'fake' nap in the living room.
All ready for a ‘fake’ nap in the living room.
And then play.
And then play.

On The Road

And then we tested them out and the kids loved them! I love how when we rolled into a hotel at midnight (once with fast food we grabbed on the way for a late night snack) we were able to quickly set up beds the kids were comfortable with, brush their teeth, and get them into bed… as quickly as possible. They had the comfort of home and we, the parents, didn’t have to worry about them rolling out of bed or hating the change of bed every night. The odd time on our trip the kids slept in other beds but it was by their choice and was more for fun which made a big difference.

After removing the top blanket, crocheted dolly, and any other items I straightened out the sheets, removed them from their corners, and rolled them up.
After removing the top blanket, crocheted dolly, and any other items I straightened out the sheets, removed them from their corners, and rolled them up.
After collapsing the cot I place the rolled up bundle between the legs of the cot.
After collapsing the cot I place the rolled up bundle between the legs of the cot.
I then fully close the cot, add the crocheted doll on top of the sheets between the leg, and then add the carrying case which ensures the sheets and doll don't fall out.
I then fully close the cot, add the crocheted doll on top of the sheets between the leg, and then add the carrying case which ensures the sheets and doll don’t fall out.
I kept an easy to spot bag for the blankets so they'd be easy to carry and simple to find.
I kept an easy to spot bag for the blankets so they’d be easy to carry and simple to find.

I hope this helps you if you’re looking for a travel cot for your toddler. I don’t know how much longer it will work for us (up to 75 lbs but aged at 2-5 years old), but I’m so glad we bought them. Feel free to reach out through the comments below, on my Facebook page, or through Instagram. Hope you have a great day and hopefully an awesome vacation if you’re reading this post.




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