You've measured your mattress, you've confirmed nothing off the shelf will fit, and now there's one more decision before you check out: do you order a custom fitted sheet on its own, or a full custom sheet set with a custom flat sheet included? It sounds like a small choice, but getting it right can save you money, and getting it wrong usually means a flat sheet that's too narrow to tuck.
Why the fitted sheet is the one that has to be exact
A fitted sheet is sewn into a box. It has four corners, a set width, a set length and a set pocket depth, and all of them have to line up with your mattress. An inch too small and the corners pop off in the night. A few inches too big and the fabric bunches and wrinkles under you. There's no tucking your way out of a bad fit.
A flat sheet is just a rectangle. It lies on top of you and gets tucked in at the foot and sides. If it's a little generous, you tuck a little more. That's why the question isn't really "do I need custom sheets?" but "which of my sheets actually needs to be custom?"
Your three options, side by side
Here's how the choices actually compare using our current products and prices:
| Option | What you get | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom fitted sheet only | 1 custom fitted sheet + 2 pillowcases | $64.99 | Duvet sleepers, or you already own a flat sheet that works |
| Custom fitted + standard flat | Custom fitted + a standard 600 TC flat sheet, 4 pillowcases total | $64.99 + from $49.19 | Odd mattress where a standard flat sheet one size up still covers it |
| Full custom sheet set | Custom flat + custom fitted + 2 pillowcases | $124.99 (cotton) / $84.99 (bamboo) | Very large, very deep or unusually shaped beds |
One thing that surprises people: our bamboo custom size sheet set is priced lower than the cotton set, and it still includes a custom flat sheet. If you sleep warm, it's worth a look.
When a custom fitted sheet on its own is enough
Go fitted-only if any of these sound like you:
- ✓You don't use a top sheet. Lots of people sleep straight under a duvet. For them, a custom flat sheet is money spent on something that sits in a drawer.
- ✓Your mattress is only a little off-standard. A mattress a few inches wider or longer than a queen, or a queen that's much deeper because of a thick topper. A standard king flat sheet will cover it easily.
- ✓You want a spare. Custom fitted sheets are the part that wears fastest. Many customers order a second one to rotate on laundry day.
Pair it with our 600 thread count flat sheet in a matching color and you'll have a complete bed without paying for custom work on a piece that doesn't need it.
How to tell if a standard flat sheet will cover your bed
Grab a tape measure and do this quick math before you decide:
- Width you need = mattress width + (mattress depth x 2) + about 8 inches for tucking.
- Length you need = mattress length + mattress depth + about 8 inches to tuck at the foot.
- Compare those numbers with the flat sheet size you're considering (the measurements are on the product page or its size chart).
Example: a 64" x 80" mattress that's 14" deep needs a flat sheet roughly 100" wide and 102" long. If a standard king flat sheet meets that, you're set. If you come up well short on both numbers, that's your sign to go with a full custom size sheet set instead.
When the full custom set is worth it
Some beds just don't have a standard flat sheet big enough, or the shape makes a normal rectangle look sloppy. The full set is the right call for:
- ✓Extra-deep mattresses. Once depth goes past what our standard sheets are built for, a regular flat sheet won't reach far enough to tuck on both sides.
- ✓Two mattresses pushed together. Family beds and combined twins are too wide for any standard flat sheet.
- ✓Antique, boat and camper beds. Beds with odd proportions look neater when the flat sheet is cut to match instead of hanging unevenly.
- ✓You want everything to match perfectly. Same fabric, same dye lot, same finish, cut together.
If your bed is a known oversized size like Alaskan, Wyoming or Texas King rather than a true one-off, you may not need custom at all. Our oversized flat sheet already comes in those sizes, and our guide to oversized flat sheet sizes lists them.
What you get either way
Whether you choose fitted-only or the full set, the custom pieces are made the same way. Each one is cut and stitched at our own factory to the measurements you give us, with no middlemen. The fitted sheet has deep pockets and 360-degree all-around elastic, and the pillowcases have envelope closures. And both products carry our 100% Fit Guarantee: if it doesn't fit, we remake it.
The 600 thread count cotton is long-staple, breathable and smooth, available in White, Light Grey, Dark Grey, Butter, Taupe, Navy Blue, Burgundy and Moss (the full set adds Black). For step-by-step measuring and what happens after you order, see how custom fitted sheets work and our guide to custom size sheets.
600 TC Cotton Custom Size Fitted Sheet
- Cut to your exact width, length and depth
- Deep pockets + 360-degree elastic
- Includes 2 envelope pillowcases
- 100% Fit Guarantee: remade if it doesn't fit
$64.99, 8 colors
Order your custom fitted sheetNeed every piece cut to size? Go for the 600 TC custom size sheet set at $124.99, with a custom flat sheet, custom fitted sheet and two pillowcases.
A few common questions
Can I buy a custom flat sheet by itself?
Our custom flat sheet currently comes as part of the full custom size sheet set. If you only need a top sheet, a standard or oversized flat sheet one size up usually does the job.
Do I need a custom fitted sheet if my mattress is only an inch or two off?
Usually yes. Fitted sheets have very little give, so even small gaps show up as popped corners or bunching. A flat sheet can absorb that difference. A fitted one can't.
What measurements do I need for a custom fitted sheet?
Width, length and depth of the bare mattress, plus any topper you'll keep on it. Measure seam to seam and round up to the nearest quarter inch.
What if my custom sheet doesn't fit?
Both our custom fitted sheet and custom sheet set carry a 100% Fit Guarantee. If it doesn't fit, we remake it.
GET THE PIECE THAT HAS TO FIT, MADE TO FIT
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