There are a few extras you'll need to make the crib set and a few decisions to make. Plan a little in advance and try to get everything at once.

Fabric

Do you want the entire set to be from one fabric? Should the sheet and one side of the comforter be a lively print, while the bumper pads and the other side of the comforter are a coordinating plaid? All the ruffles might be of a solid color, possibly ready-made. The necessary materials are the following:

2 yards fabric for sheet

1 yard each of two fabrics for comforter

2¾ yards for bumper pads

1½ yards pregathered ruffle

1¼ yards for optional ruffle on comforter or 8½ yards pregathered ruffle

1½ yards for optional ruffle on bumper pads or 4⅔ yards pregathered ruffle

½ yard for bumper pad ties, or 4⅔ yards ¾″ ribbon

You will want to buy washable, soft fabrics like cotton or cotton blends. Flannel would be good for the sheet and one side of the comforter for cold weather. There are some delightful juvenile prints to choose from, so shop when you have time to browse. When you get it home, wash and straighten your new fabric as described in Chapter 3.

Quilt Batting

You will need quilt batting for the comforter and for the bumper pads. A medium weight is recommended. Extra loft will be hard to work with in the bumper pads and will be a smothering hazard for the comforter. Thin batting will not give enough padding to the bumper pads, but it may be what you want for a comforter in warm weather.

Foam rubber can be used in the bumper pads, but it isn't recommended because it isn't washable. Also, it would be difficult to stuff into the panels without a lot of hand sewing.

You will need one piece of batting measuring approximately 43″ by 1 yard and eight pieces measuring 41″ by 12″. One double-bed-sized bag would be more than enough. Perhaps one crib size and one craft size will give you enough and be cheaper. Check the dimensions on the packages and make some comparisons. You may also find batting sold by the yard. Find out the width of the batting and see if you can figure out exactly what you'll need.

Notions

Besides the optional ribbon or ruffles you might want to buy, you will need a few things from the notion section. Get a package of ¼″-wide elastic that contains at least 1⅔ yards. Be sure it is stiff enough to spring back inside a casing. Avoid lingerie and baby elastic because they are too soft to provide the cling needed for this project.

You will need 49″ of self-gripping fasteners, unless you plan to tie the bumper pad in place with bows. You will actually only need 17½″ of the hook half of the fasteners since size adjustment will be made along the longer soft half of the fasteners. However, they are usually sold together, so you will need to buy 49″.

You will need some yarn or embroidery floss to “tie” the comforter. Don't get these confused with the ties for the bumper pads. These yarn ties are what give a comforter its tufted look. Baby yarn, if you can find it in the right color, will be the easiest to work with. You will also need a tapestry needle to fit the yarn. The smallest needle possible that the yarn can still be threaded through is what you're after.