If the bedding won’t fit, blame the mattress

DEAR GAIL: When I was out shopping for a comforter set for my new bed, I had trouble finding something that fits. What sizes are they making things now? -- Margaret Y.

DEAR MARGARET: They've really not changed the sizes of the bedding all that much, it's just that the standard thickness of mattresses and box springs are no longer standard.

The overall width and length of beds have remained the same. They are 39 inches by 75 inches, twin; 54 inches by 75 inches, full; 60 inches by 80 inches, queen; 76 to 78 inches by 80 inches, standard or Eastern king; and 72 inches by 84 inches, California King. There are also XL or extra long mattresses, which you mainly find in twin size; they measure 39 inches by 80 inches.

What makes the biggest difference is the exact size of your mattress set and the type of frame or head and foot boards you are using. It used to be that standard mattresses were about 9 to 10 inches in height. But, with the different pillow tops now available, they can be 16 inches or more high. Plus, there are bed frames that have larger wheels which will make your bed higher. And, if you are using a decorative bed, it can raise everything by 10 inches or more.

I have been finding that the bed-in-a-bag sets are using comforters that are much bigger to accommodate for pillowtop mattresses. But what size of pillowtop is the question? Most pillowtops are now so big that if you have a standard-height mattress, then the comforter sets are too big and the bed looks sloppy. On the other hand, if you have a higher pillowtop, the bedding set is too short. Although, that is an easier fix by adding trim or a band to the edges of the comforter. Making one smaller normally doesn't make the savings on the bed set worth the extra cost for the alterations.

On the dusters (also known as dust ruffles and bed skirts), the standard drop from the top of the box spring to the floor is 14 inches. Many dusters are now being made for a 16-inch drop. Why manufacturers selected this number, who knows. But if you have to shorten it, it's not that expensive. In models, I'll pin the extra length onto the box springs. You wouldn't want to do this at home as you can't easily tuck in your sheets, but you could use fusible tape instead.

So before you go out shopping, take these measurements with you: length, width and height of your mattress. The height should be from the top of your mattress to the floor, as well as the height from the top of the box spring to the floor.

You also have to keep in mind that if you have a headboard and footboard, you're going to need a duster that has split corners. There is a good chance you won't find this in a regular department store and will either have to have the one you buy adjusted or have one made. You need the split corners in order for the duster to go around the bed frame and lay flat on both sides of the corner otherwise it just bunches up and doesn't look very nice.

With your measurements in hand, you may find something that will fit closer to your size or at least know that you'll need to make adjustments. Store-bought bedding is much less expensive than having something custom made, but if you want a perfect fit and don't change your bedding that often, that is another option.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.