Make a Baby Mattress - Measure your crib or cradle width by length. The standard crib mattress measures 28-by-52-by-4 inches. The standard cradle mattress measures 18-by-36-by-2 inches.
Fold fabric with right sides touching. You will need 4 yards for a crib mattress and 3 yards for a cradle mattress.
Make a Baby Mattress
For a crib mattress, cut two rectangles from your fabric according to your crib measurements plus 6 inches on your width and length measurements (for example, 34-by-58). For a cradle mattress, cut two rectangles according to your cradle measurements plus 4 inches on the width and length (for example, 22-by-40). The extra inches allow for the thickness of the foam/sponge and the seam allowances.
Pin the two pieces of fabric together, right sides of the fabric together.
Sew with a straight stitch--using a 1-inch seam allowance--the two sides and one end, leaving one end open. Remove the pins.
Baby cribs and cradles have been in use for centuries, but time has seen an evolution in the construction of such baby beds. According to FineWoodworking.com, the earliest cradles were hollowed logs that evolved into elaborate "miniature great beds of state. . . used to cradle the children of royalty." Whether for a crib or a cradle, a baby bed mattress is a simple project that you can make at home. - by eHow
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