Knit Ticking- replacement 38x75x3- shipping costs

Customer will return knit ticking that she received and is requesting for a replacement that measures 38x75x3 instead.
I recently purchased a 3” twin knit ticking. Unfortunately, I can not use it. It only measures just shy of 69”x 33”.  I know it is stretchy but there is no way it can stretch to the twin measurements on your website for a typical twin. I can not say that I measured it before I washed and dried it but it was supposed to be pre washed with no shrinkage, right? It appears to have shrunk. I would really like a knit ticking that measures 3”x38”x75” after it is washed and dried. So I am requesting a new ticking meeting the 3”x38”x75” measurements after it is washed and dried. If you need me to return this one that is fine but I really need it to be arranged for “pick up” as I am avoiding as many places as I can due to Coronavirus pandemic. Please advise. Thank you.

Zip Off Waterproof Ticking

Zip Off Waterproof Ticking

A puddle pad and ticking combined into one.  This ticking enables all the convenience of moisture protection, right where you need it, on the top. The top layer of waterproof jersey fabric is sewn with a four-sided separating zipper to the twill sides and bottom, so the top layer can completely zip off for hand washing, leaving the sides of the ticking still on your mattress. There is no need to move your heavy layers of latex to wash this ticking since the top layer is easily accessible.

This mattress case is less expensive and certainly more convenient than buying a puddle pad and ticking separately.

This GOTS waterproof jersey is the same material as in our puddle pads. This GOTS waterproof fabric is made from two thin sheets of soft, jersey knit fabric that are laminated together with a GOTS certified laminate, the only GOTS certified product of its kind. The fabric is soft and very flexible. It does not crunch nor alter the feel of your bedding. It does a fantastic job blocking moisture from penetrating to your mattress or pillow. It even serves a dust mite and allergy barrier. It is not plastic. It does not sound, feel or act like plastic.

The GOTS twill is strong and sturdy. It will have more strength than the Knit Ticking but less than the Quilted Ticking. It is the same fabric we use in our Twill Ticking, ideal for encasing our wool flake in your DIY wool mattresses.

Custom sizes not available with zip off feature.

Quilted Ticking (encasement) helped me put together the perfect mattress!

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I bought at full-sized quilted ticking from DIY Natural Bedding and it’s fabulous! It’s extremely well made, all natural fabrics, and in the end, it looks like a professional mattress. I fell in love with Naturepedic’s EOS Classic, but balked at the $2800 price tag. Instead, I ordered a 3″ comfort layer soft microcoils (for top) and an 8″ support layer plush coils (on bottom) that make up the EOS Classic and then used the full-sized quilted ticking encasement to keep them together. I added a wool topper that I already owned and VOILA the perfect mattress at nearly $800 less than retail. One thing I really liked about DIY’s encasement is that it was all natural when the Naturepedic encasement actually had something they called a PLA comfort layer which is synthetic. Thanks to DIY, I ended up with a better version of their mattress and saved money. I later bought a shredded latex pillow kit from DIY and I’ve never slept better.

Twill Ticking

GOTS Organic Twill Ticking

This strong twill ticking is perfect for stuffing with a loose fill to make your mattress.  Wool flake, kapok, or any other of our loose fills would fit nicely inside. Its strength means that it can handle even our 10″ tufting needle. Its durability means that it will last under the pressure of tufts.

Made with our GOTS organic twill cotton fabric, sturdy and natural:  100% organic, 100% cotton.

The zipper on this ticking opens along three of the top edges of the ticking.  This upper opening let you use the sidewalls of the ticking for support of the fill as you fill the ticking up.

To use this ticking with our wool flake or with kapok, our wool mattress tutorial and our tufting tutorial would be helpful.  To keep your loose fill from shifting, visit our Supplies page for a needle and twine.

For another visual presentation, visit a picture tutorial displaying a common mattress build using the twill ticking.

Build a Mattress with Twill Ticking

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DIY your wool mattress with Twill Ticking

PROS
  • Thickness
    At an 8 oz weight, this twill is durable reliable. Compare its thickness to a thick khaki pant fabric, though it is much softer than a brushed twill pant.
  • Strength
    This functional fabric is still quite smooth.  Because it is strong, it can withstand a tufting needle’s piercings or a mattress fill in pieces beneath it (though our Wool Mattress Pattern does instruct you how to smoothly add the wool flake).
  • Price
    Without the three layers of threads that make up a double knit, the twill ticking can beat its price making this ticking the most economical. DIYing your mattress will with our loose fills will save you store costs everywhere.
CONS
  • Thinness
    If using it for latex, it does not offer the flexibility of the knit ticking.
  • Stiffness
    If using it for latex, the thickness of the quilted ticking will rival this fabric.

If you need a calculator to help you know how much fill to create a mattress to your desired height, visit our Custom Pillow Fill Calculator.  Make sure to select the boxed rectangle tab for a mattress shape. Our wool flake product explains more about tufting and our kapok product will make your Japanese style shikibuton.

Build a Mattress with Knit Ticking

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Knit Ticking around Latex

How to Build a Mattress with Knit Ticking

PROS
  • Washable
    Preshrunk and machine washable. No longer do you have to spot clean the the ticking while it is on the latex.  Freshen your entire mattress by washing this ticking.
  • Flexible
    This knit case will flex with your body and the latex as you move. The inherent stretch of knit fabrics lets their looped threads pull apart from each other when pressure is applied.
  • Thinish
    While this double knit fabric is actually fairly thick for just one layer of fabric, those we endearingly call “latex purists” like that they can be completely absorbed by the latex with this case. Every pressure point can be entirely soothed through this ticking.
  • Price
    Having just one simple layer of fabric, this ticking is very affordable.
CONS
  • Thinish
    With its one layer of fabric, it protects the latex from dust and debris, but not from heat sources, sunlight.  It may give the latex a lesser life than the thicker quilted ticking.  To compensate for its thinness, some add a layer or two of wool batting around the latex and under the ticking. The wool batting’s thickness protects the latex and softens the latex’s bounce. Since the wool batting does not come quilted, you save the cost of the quilting and thus maintain the affordability of the knit ticking.
  • Flexibility
    As you put consistent pressure sleeping on the latex, you may notice that one slab or another starts to stretch a little farther towards the edges than the others.  The clean lines of your mattress can be renewed by unzipping the ticking and flopping the layer back into place.  A layer or two of wool batting wrapped around the latex will serve as extra strength and slightly prevent this occasional shifting.

If you need help picking which firmness of natural latex might be comfortable inside your knit ticking, check out The Banana Test post and give us a call if you have further questions.

Build a Mattress with Quilted Ticking

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Quilted Ticking

How to Build your Mattress with Quilted Ticking
PROS
  • Beauty
    With our soft double knit fabric on top, this ticking made for your DIYing will make your mattress feel and look better than your conventional mattresses. The rolling diamond quilted pattern adds a refined look to your mattress.
  • Thickness
    Its thickness serves your comfort as well as protection of the latex layers hidden inside. The less exposed to elements like heat, sunlight, and poor air quality, the longer your latex will stay fresh.
  • Wool Layer
    This 1″ layer of wool is enough to cool your sleep with its temperature regulating abilities. It is also enough to act as a flame retardant if needed.
  • Simplicity
    This is the simplest build with the most components to it.  Zip the ticking shut around the fill and you have a mattress.
CONS
  • Price
    This ticking with its two layers of organic cotton fabric and layer of wool has a lot to it, add the cost of quilting the layers together and you have our most expensive ticking.
  • Thickness
    Some find the thickness to stiffen the feel of the latex slightly. While not a significant change, those we call “latex purists’ tend to avoid the extra fabric between them and the latex.

If you need help picking which firmness of natural latex might be comfortable inside your quilted ticking, check out The Banana Test post and give us a call if you have further questions.

Highlen Ticking Resew

This product is to take the current King 3″ Knit ticking and turn it into King 6″.

Knit Ticking Kit

Box Ticking Pattern & Kit

Save yourself the clicks and put your DIY ticking project in the cart with this kit containing all your supplies.

Tutorial

  • Pictures and Directions both included
  • Crib – King Dimensions all included

This tutorial uses pictures as well as directions, dimensions and pictures to explain the best way to sew our standard knit ticking. This ticking opens like a book with a three-sided zipper. It is a simple case, that you can tuft through if you like or just slip your fill inside.

You need only one pattern for all the different sizes of bedding as a chart is included with measurements and cuts, Crib to King and 3″ to 9″. If you want to make a custom sized case, let us know and we can calculate yardages for you. Our knit fabric and twill fabric can be used for this case.

Printing

The tutorial will be available for download via a link in the receipt emailed to you or from your account if you create one during the checkout process as well as from the thank you page after you checkout.  It is highly recommended that you print it in color, so you can see the details of the pictures.

To purchase the premade ticking, view its page here.

Happy DIYing.

Knit Ticking Tutorial

Box Corner Ticking Sewing Tutorial
  • Box Cornered Ticking Downloadable Tutorial
  • Pictures and Directions both included
  • Crib – Eastern King Dimensions all included

Save yourself the cost of our sewing time and add another element of DIY to your mattress. This tutorial uses pictures as well as directions, dimensions and pictures to explain the best way to sew our ticking, which will serve as the case to your mattress. This ticking opens like a book with a three-sided zipper. It is simple and efficient. To purchase the premade ticking, view its page here.

You need only one PDF for all the different sizes of mattresses, as a chart is included with measurements and cuts, Twin to King.  Our knit fabric, waterproof jersey fabric and our twill fabric work well for this case.

Printing

The tutorial will be available from the thank you page for a one time download after you checkout or from your emailed receipt.  If you log into your account, you can also find it buried in the itemized Products under Order Details. It is highly recommended that you print it in color, so you can see the details of the pictures.

Planning Purposes

While a very detailed chart with all the sizes and particular cuts is included in the tutorial, for planning and purchasing purposes, here is the summary using our 90″ Double Knit fabric. Sizes are also included for using standard 60″ fabric in the tutorial. The fabric size below takes into account your prewashing it (highly recommended).

Crib: 2 yards fabric, 10′ zipper
Twin:
 3 yards fabric, 13′ zipper
Full: 4 yards fabric, 16′ zipper
Queen: 4.5 yards fabric, 17′ zipper
Eastern King: 5.5 yards fabric, 20′ zipper

Useful Links

If you would like zipper and pulls, visit their product page.

If you want fabric and zipper included with the tutorial, visit its Knit Ticking Kit product.

If you want to see the tutorial for our Expandable Knit Ticking with the expansion pocket, visit its product page.

If you want to sew a custom size, contact us for your custom cutting dimensions.

Expandable Ticking Pattern Here

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A long awaited pattern is ready for delivery. Our most unique ticking and complicated pattern too. You will not find a product anywhere on the net like this because it did not exist until we created it. And we’re offering you the option to create it too.

It is available in two formats:
PATTERN
PATTERN KIT

The pattern is quite simply the 12-page pattern with pictures, instructions, and a detailed cutting chart. The pattern kit is the pattern with the proper length of zipper, 2 zipper pulls and the appropriate length of fabric to preshrink.

One pattern for all your bed sizes. If you need multiple sizes, you need only one pattern purchase.

Our pattern is licensed under a creative commons license. In short, this license acknowledges that ideas are free and knowledge can be shared willingly. It means you may remix, tweak, and build upon our work even for commercial purposes, as long as you credit us AND license your new creations under the identical terms (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License).

Happy DIYing.

Expandable Ticking Kit

Expandable Ticking PatternKit

Save yourself the clicks and put your DIY ticking project in the cart with this kit containing all your supplies.

Tutorial

  • Pictures and Directions both included
  • Twin – King Dimensions all included

This tutorial uses pictures as well as directions, dimensions  and pictures to explain the best way to sew our expandable ticking. This ticking opens like a book with a three-sided zipper and includes a second zipper designed to hide 3″ more of fabric folded into the sidewall. The panel can be unzipped and opened up when you are ready to insert another slab of latex or more wool. To purchase the premade ticking, view its page here.

You need only one tutorial for all the different sizes of bedding as a chart is included with measurements and cuts, Twin to King and 3″ expanding to 6″ as well as 6″ expanding to 9″. If you want to make a custom sized case, let us know and we can calculate yardages for you. Our knit fabric can be used for this case. Our quilted fabric would be too thick to be folded over in the side panel.

NOTE: It is worth mentioning, a basic understanding of sewing terms and techniques is assumed and this pattern is not meant to be a sewing tutorial. Sewing your own mattress case is completely doable, but if you are one of those who claim to only be able to sew on buttons, this particular ticking is not a good starter project.

Printing

The tutorial will be available for download via a link in the receipt emailed to you or from your account if you create one during the checkout process as well as from the thank you page after you checkout.  It is highly recommended that you print it in color, so you can see the details of the pictures.

Fabric & Zipper

The fabric size below is included in your kit and takes into account your prewashing it (highly recommended).

Twin: 3 yards fabric, 33′ zipper
Full: 4.25 yards fabric, 38′ zipper
Queen: 5 yards fabric, 41′ zipper
Eastern King: 6 yards fabric, 46′ zipper

Happy DIYing.

Expandable Ticking Tutorial

Expandable Ticking Tutorial
  • Expandable Ticking Downloadable PDF Tutorial
  • Box Corners
  • Expandable Inset
  • Pictures and Directions both included
  • Twin – Eastern King Dimensions all included

Save yourself the cost of our sewing time and add another element of DIY to your mattress. This tutorial uses pictures as well as directions, dimensions  and pictures to explain the best way to sew our expandable ticking. This ticking opens like a book with a three-sided zipper and includes a second zipper designed to hide 3″ more of fabric folded into the sidewall. This panel can be unzipped and opened up when you’re ready to insert another slab of latex or more wool. To purchase the premade ticking, view its page here.

You need only one tutorial for all the different sizes of bedding as a chart is included with measurements and cuts, Twin to King and 3″ expanding to 6″ as well as 6″ expanding to 9″. Our knit fabric can be used for this case. Our quilted fabric would be too thick to be folded over in the side panel.

NOTE: It is worth mentioning, a basic understanding of sewing terms and techniques is assumed and this tutorial is not meant to be a sewing lesson. Sewing your own mattress case is completely doable, but if you are one of those who claim to only be able to sew on buttons, this is not a good starter project.

Printing

The tutorial will be available for a one time download from the thank you page after you checkout.  You can find it buried in your account in the itemized Products under Order Details. It is highly recommended that you print it in color, so you can see the details of the pictures.

Planning Purposes

While a very detailed chart with all the sizes and particular cuts is included in the tutorial, for planning and purchasing purposes, here is the summary using our 90″ fabric. Sizes are also included for using standard 60″ fabric in the tutorial. The fabric size below takes into account your prewashing it (highly recommended).

Twin: 3 yards fabric, 33′ zipper
Full: 4.25 yards fabric, 38′ zipper
Queen: 5 yards fabric, 41′ zipper
Eastern King: 6 yards fabric, 46′ zipper

Useful Links

If you would like zipper and pulls, visit their product page.

If you want fabric and zipper included with the tutorial, visit the Expandable Ticking Kit product.

If you want to see the tutorial for our Knit Ticking without the expansion pocket, visit its product page.

If you want to sew a custom size, contact us for your custom cutting dimensions.

Knit Ticking

Knit Ticking

A simple, box cornered mattress case with a three-sided zipper. It opens like a book (one long side remains unzipped) and is both preshrunk and washable. It is a smooth and thick fabric, ideal for letting your pressure points sink into the natural latex or wool underneath it. It also will protect your fill from dust and lint while containing it smoothly. Its slight stretch is due to the form of the fabric itself, the weaving of the threads, no elastic.

Our natural latex slabs fit inside very comfortably, whether they are in a bed mattress or a futon mattress. Latex’s flexible, bouncy nature fits this fabric perfectly. If you want a wool mattress, use our Twill Ticking and if you want a wool topper, use the sateen provided in our topper kit or have us make it for you.

Made with our GOTS organic double knit cotton fabric, flexible and natural: 100% organic, 100% cotton.

NOTE: This ticking is excellent as a dust cover and a flexible barrier between you and the latex. If you want to keep your latex fresh for its full lifespan, add multiple layers of wool batting inside the case or choose the Quilted Ticking as its thickness will protect the latex from elements that cause to degrade.

To sew your own ticking, see patterns the Box Corner Ticking Pattern or its Kit that comes with fabric and zipper.

Custom sizes available, contact us.

Quilted Ticking

Quilted Ticking

This quilted ticking is a zippered case, really a zippered quilt to complete your mattress. Organic latex slabs fit inside very nicely, as does our wool batting or any other fill. While it is very simple to use, it adds an elegant finishing look to your mattress. It is flexible, not constraining your pressure points sinking into your fill.  It is comfortable and breathable and provides protection from the elements to your fill inside it. Its traditional look completes any mattress build and adds a polished look to your DIY mattress.

Of all our cases, this quilted ticking is the strongest, able to withstand the weight of natural latex and even millet hulls with its lock stitching. Its thickness also serves to protect natural latex fill from the elements better than our knit ticking does, giving you a few more years of life out of your latex. Not surprisingly, common elements such as daily use, sunlight, poor air quality, temperature changes due to body heat and air vents can age your latex slightly faster than an unused piece of latex stored somewhere dark and dry.

The wool is quilted between two sheets of GOTS organic cotton fabric, our double knit on top and a flexible jersey fabric on bottom. Sealed with a three-sided zipper to allow easy access to loading and rearranging your fill. It opens like a book with the spine on either side.

Since taking the pictures, the stitching pattern has changed. You can see the new pattern in the last picture.

The wool is 1.8 lbs per linear yard.

Custom sizes available, contact us.

Expandable Knit Ticking

expandable GOTS organic cotton knit ticking feature

This case enables you to start small and plan to grow. Say, you purchased enough fill to fill 3″ of ticking, but you know that later when the budget allows or when the child grows heavier, you’ll want to deepen the mattress. Or say you are revamping your mattress little by little and want to buy a topper now with plans for adding more latex later. This case can grow with you.

Designed with a double zipper to reveal 3″ (or your choice of depth) more of fabric folded into the sidewall when you’re ready to insert another slab of latex. That way you do not have to buy a second piece of ticking for that second or third or fourth slab. Perfect for a child or a topper turned into a mattress. To explain further, imagine you bought one slab of latex for a topper on your guest bed because your mother-in-law was coming into town and the bed really needed something to spruce it up. But you bought the topper knowing that your child was soon going to be inheriting the guest bed as his mattress was falling apart. However, not having the immediate need to buy the two slabs of latex which would be comfortable for your 15 year old, you bought an expandable ticking that could fit both one slab just as nicely as two slabs. When the time came to buy that second slab, you didn’t need to buy a second piece of ticking to wrap the slab in. Instead you merely unzipped the second zipper on the ticking to reveal 3” more of fabric that was folded around the four sidewalls of the mattress.

The case opens, as do all of ours, like a book with a three-sided zipper, one long side remains unzipped. This ticking is preshrunk and is machine washable.

It is a smooth and thick fabric, ideal for letting your pressure points sink into the natural latex or wool underneath it. It also will protect your fill from dust and lint while containing it smoothly. Its slight stretch is due to the form of the fabric itself, the weaving of the threads, no elastic.

Our natural latex slabs fit inside very comfortably, whether they are in a bed mattress or a futon mattress. Latex’s flexible, bouncy nature fits this fabric perfectly. If you want a wool mattress, use our Twill Ticking and if you want a wool topper, use the sateen provided in our topper kit or have us make it for you.

NOTE: This ticking is excellent as a dust cover and a flexible barrier between you and the latex.  If you want to keep your latex fresh for its full lifespan, add multiple layers of wool batting inside the case or choose the Quilted Ticking as its thickness will protect the latex from elements that cause to degrade.

Made with our GOTS organic double knit cotton fabric, flexible and natural: 100% organic, 100% cotton.

To sew your own expandable ticking, see its pattern here or its pattern kit here.

Custom sizes and depths readily available, contact us.

Natural Upholstery vs. Conventional Upholstery Supplies

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You have a beautiful frame of a chair or couch that really needs some cushion, and you want to use chemical-free, eco-friendly supplies, but where do you start? Here is a list of substitutions from the standard petroleum based products.

Dacron Batting –> Wool Batting
Foundation Material –> Cotton Batting
Decking Fabric (to cover the springs) –> Organic Sateen Fabric
Poly Foam –> Organic Latex
Ticking Fabric (to cover the wool so that it doesn’t migrate through the decorative fabric) –> Organic Twill Fabric
Thin Foam –> Wool Felt


That’s it. It is really that simple. For a DIY project, purchase your custom cut latex here and contact us to sew you an inner case of our organic fabrics and an outer case of your decorative fabric.

Similarities between Natural Latex and conventional foam

  • Five firmnesses available, use softer for the back cushions and firmer for the base
  • Firmer means denser which means more durable
  • Batting or a down jacket still can be wrapped around to add plumpness to cushion
  • If using on top of springs, use a ticking fabric between the springs and the latex so as to not tear it

Unique Tricks to Natural Latex

  • Cut only with a blade, not a hot wire
  • Over time (15 years+), instead of softening, latex will harden as it dries out and eventually crumbles

What Sets Organic Latex apart from conventional poly foam

  • No flame retardants
  • Chemical-Free: The end product has only 5 ingredients with latex comprising of 96% of the finished product.
  • Long Life: 20 -30 year lifespan
  • Vegan: Tree Based not petroleum Based
  • Compostable: Just give it time
  • Sustainable: The Hevea brasiliensis trees are grown for 30 years before they stop producing enough latex and are harvested for their wood.
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Antimicrobial: In a closed testing environment, growing bacteria introduced to the latex were not able to survive.
  • Dust Mite Resistant: It is simply inhabitable.
  • Excellent Airflow: Compared to memory foam and all poly foams, latex allows more air movement and thus does not retain heat.

Own an Upholstery Business? Contact us for wholesale rates.

Baby Mattresses

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Since we have cut quite a few pieces of latex over the years for infant bassinets, playpens, crib mattresses, etc., I thought I would share a few tips we have learned along the way. If you have feedback on your particular brand’s frame and how our products work with it, let me know and I’ll add it to this post.

Keep in mind that we cut and sew to your dimensions. We can cut latex, sew puddle pads, sheets, tickings, receiving blankets, you name it. Contact us for a quote or see the latex calculator here.

TIP 1: Cut the latex 1″ larger and sew the ticking 1/2″-1″ larger.

Latex is very flexible. That translates to when we cut it to the exact inside dimensions of your crib, you may find that the ticking or even sheet will pull it a little bit smaller than we cut it. While the mattress will still be completely usable, of course, not having that extra 1/2″ of nothing between the side wall.

The softer the latex is, the more flexible it is. So even a 3″ soft will be constrained by the sheets and ticking.

Tip 2: Latex can be cut down to .5″ in a Hard D90 firmness only.

Again, latex is very flexible and the softer layers are too floppy to cut thinner. To note, the thinner the latex is, the softer it feels, so if you are wanting a firm, thin surface for your infant, a hard is a great way to achieve that feel.

Tip 3: Most parents want firm mattresses for their infants.

If your child is able to roll over, I encourage you to consider all the firmnesses we offer, from Soft to Hard as options. A 3″ soft adds significant comfort to those hard pack n’ play mattresses, but is not firm. Keep in mind that little bodies sink through only a little and a soft feels super squishy to us and only a little squishy to them.

Brands

  • Snoo Mattress: Cut hard latex to .75″.
  • Guava Lotus travel crib: The crib sides are much more flexible than a regular pack n play, so add an extra .5-1 inch on all sides of the latex pad for it to not have gaps between the mattress and the mesh walls.

Latex Warranty Photo Instructions

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Body impressions can be caused by a failing piece of latex or by improper use. Multiple soft or medium layers used in a bed where someone sits all day for work as well as for sleep will bow predictably. If you are using your bed as a couch, expect the top layers to wear out. Couches are usually made of firm, extra firm and hard pieces of latex, so if your bed is soft or medium, the latex is not up for the job of supporting a sitter. You will get body impressions. Those sorts of impressions are not a warranty claim.

However if your latex layers are bowing from normal use, we can process a warranty claim for you. Sometimes bowing is caused by the bed frame or foundation and not by the sleeper. Even slat beds that flex too much or have slats that are too far apart have caused a mattress to seem like it’s failing.

Please send us pictures of the failing layers so we can verify your claim. To take pictures properly you’ll need a broom stick (just unscrew it from the head) or substitute, a camera, tape measure, and a clean bed sheet.

  1. On your foundation or level ground, where you have space the size of your mattress (living room, bedroom, kitchen or even garage) lay down a clean sheet.
  2. Unzip your mattress ticking.
  3. Remove one layer of foam and place it on the sheet.
  4. Next push the edge of the sheet close to the edge of the foam
  5. Place a broom stick across any visible depression. If the broom stick has a handle, be sure to hang the handle over the edge so it doesn’t exaggerate depressions.
  6. Take a picture measuring the gaps between the broom stick and the foam but at the same time show parts of the ground to show you are shooting the layer on a flat surface and not your bed frame.
  7. Do the same to each latex slab.
  8. Email the pictures of any depressions. We are looking to see if there are depressions along where your body rests exceed ½ in one layer or 1” in all three layers.

Wool Toppers Q & A

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A customer asked: “I’m looking for wool with the following specs to meet flammability standards. Can you tell me if the wool in the wool topper meets these standards?

Consider

One of the most important criteria when selecting wool for a wool topper is its micron count. Too high a count or too coarse a fiber and you have stiff rug wool that is pokey inside the fabric. Too low a count and you have thin, slippery fibers that are fine enough for clothing. Also some breeds of sheep have very straight wool with no crimp in it. You want some crimp in the wool so the wool stays lofty.

Specification 1

High quality organic wool that comes from the back or high on the side of the animal (to minimize contact with the debris the live animal runs across in pasture), and come from a sheep fed an organic diet.

Answer 1

No, we do not separate the wool on the different parts of the sheep’s body. The machines take care of most of the vegetation so it is rare to see any. No, this year’s sheep are not necessarily fed an organic diet. Sheep are grazers and so are pastured all day with green growing grasses that are not harmed with chemicals. These sheep are milk producers and make some amazing cheeses. See Green Dirt Farm‘s page for more info. See also our post on natural vs. organic wool.

Specification 2

The natural lanolin and keratin in the wool must remain intact. This means washing must be minimized, and chemical washing (which can strip lanolin, especially), is right out.

Answer 2

To keep all of the lanolin means to keep all of the dirt and grime. To remove all of the lanolin means the wool must be sacrificed in order to harvest the lanolin. Naturally, the wool is washed. The only substance used in its processing is a surfactant, which breaks the surface tension of the water, allowing the oily lanolin to float away in the washing water. Unlike conventional wool, our wool processing contains none of the following chemicals:

  • NO bleach
  • NO acid bath
  • NO bonding
  • NO resin
  • NO carbonization
  • NO superwashing

Specification 3

High natural lanolin content combined with careful processing that makes wool an effective FR barrier. 

Answer 3

Wool is also an effective fire barrier when it is dense and matted. Reducing oxygen that a fire needs is part of its job too.

Specification 4

Wool that is carded or garneted and then “densified” by needle punching or quilting minimizes the air between the fibers while retaining comfortable loft. 

Answer 4

No, the wool in the topper is not felted or needle punched, our wool puddle pad is though. That would make a firm mat and not a lofty topper. It is also not quilted or it would be a ticking, not a topper. It is tufted. All batting is either garneted or carded, that is the process of laying fiber on top of each other to create a fluffy sheet.

Specification 5

Wool in a thickness of about 1.8 oz. per square foot, properly prepared, makes a highly trustworthy FR option.

Answer 5

True enough, that is the industry standard because it does pass the burn test. Wool also passes the burn test due to its high combustion point, 600 degrees, almost triple that of cotton’s burn point. If you want a fire barrier, you should be looking at our Quilted Ticking, then the wool wraps entirely around the mattress instead of just on top like a topper.

My back will thank me!

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The soft latex layer is very soft and I like it a lot! I’m very relieved actually not to have to sleep on just the board with my old futon mattress again tonight! I think my back will thank me, haha. Thank you for the wonderful latex layer! It’s wonderful even without another layer or the ticking vs my futon on the box spring 🙂 – F. B.

Free Tutorials

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First of all, we are all healthy and well here, so we are still running shop.

Second of all, thank you to all of you for your well wishes during this time of making history. You guys are so thoughtful and genuine. We wish you all much health and chances to relax into a new pace and and space to enjoy those near and close to you.

Most importantly, I’ve been pondering how DIY Natural Bedding can lighten the load of the season and offer something of value and I think I have an answer! I would like to share our creativity and let you make it yours!

I don’t know about you but I find that creativity doesn’t necessarily mean coming up with a brand new idea. For me, it may mean combining ideas or items into something personal. And these days with time to productively fill, we need to find ways to keep our hands busy, our bodies grounded and our hearts engaged. What better way than to work with natural components, creating something useful for your bed?!

I offer you all of our tutorials for FREE through May 15. This means that all the kits that provide the tutorial as your sewing instructions are discounted as well. They can all be found in their own section of DIY Tutorials and Kits or you can click on the links below.

All of the tutorials are downloadable PDFs with pictures, dimensions and step by step instructions.
All of the Kits include the tutorial plus supplies to make the item with.
Supplies without tutorials are available in the DIY Supplies section of the shop.

TUTORIALSKITS
Wool Topper Wool Topper
Millet Hull Weighted Blanket Millet Hull Weighted Blanket
Knit Ticking Knit Ticking
Expandable Knit Ticking Expandable Knit Ticking

If you create a project with our supplies and post to social media, please tag us! We would love to see your creation!

Very Comfortable

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I think it’s time to report the good news!  The 3rd slab of medium latex has done the trick for my achy body.  I, of course, put the firm on the bottom in the new ticking, and then both the medium (in the middle) and the soft latex, topped with wool batting (on the top) in the first 7” ticking I purchased.  I am so happy to report that I am now finally very comfortable. Thank you for all your patience and help!!! – K. L.

DIY Mattress: Common Combinations

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While DIY combinations for your mattress are almost limitless, there are a few configurations of our products that are commonly combined. The pillows are deliberately matched with each combo to match the softness or firmness of the mattress. Here are some of common combinations:

FOR ADULTS:

(Soft Combo – generally for adults under 250 lbs.)

(Average Combo – generally for adults under 180 lbs.)

(Firm Combo – the most natural option, compares to an Extra Firm option without the topper, Firm with the topper)

(Extra Extra Firm Option – for those who like sleeping on the floor but want some cushion)

FOR CHILDREN:

(Starter Option that saves on the budget now and leaves room to grow later)

Waterproof Jersey Puddle Pad

Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector Puddle Pad
  • GOTS Waterproof Jersey
  • Spill blocking
  • Dust Mite and Allergen Blocking
  • Flexible
  • Machine washable
  • GOTS Organic
  • Fits like a Fitted Sheet

Protect your mattress with an organic, machine washable puddle pad.  This GOTS waterproof fabric provides you spill and moisture protection as well as dust mite and allergy protection. The fabric is soft and very flexible. It does not crunch nor alter the feel of your bedding. It is not plastic. It does not sound, feel or act like plastic. It fits like a fitted sheet, with a second lightweight fabric around its sides.

Use this puddle pad for preservation of your mattress. Save it from your babies’ spit up, children’s night accidents, sickness, night sweats, beverage spilling and more. Now your mattress will stay clean and your messes will be easily handled.

Have you ever bought bamboo fabric? It natural but a rayon fabric. The corn based polyurethane laminate layer is natural though it is created by a process that is usually reserved for chemicals. Not just the fabric but also the laminate layer is GOTS certified.

This mattress protector’s featured layer of waterproof jersey is featured as the top layer of our Zip Off Waterproof Ticking because of the ease and convenience of machine washing only the top layer of your ticking in case of an accident.

If one of our wool felt products suits you better as a spill blocking fabric, visit its product here.
Need a custom product made from this fabric? Email us.

Extremely Crafty Women

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Thank you, Susie, for your mention on your blog. If I ever need a gluten-free, dairy-free, ancient grains baked good in the Twin Cities, I’m coming to you! Your knowledge of how to work with such foods and skills of presentation are through the roof.

Here is a snippet from her post:
“One thing I have noticed are videos and blogs that share information on how to make your own mattress. Very cool. I am all about doing things yourself and being self reliant. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have the skills to do it. I am sad to admit that I never learned how to use a sewing machine. Buttons and hand sewn hems I can do. Zippers and ticking are out of my reach. Fortunately I am surrounded by extremely crafty women, one of whom founded her own DIY Natural Bedding company. It’s pure genius. There are two showrooms where customers can see the materials, you order online, and everything comes directly to your home where you put the pieces together. You can opt to do some of the sewing yourself and save some cash, or you can get it all sewn and ready to go. For our kiddos we are opting for expandable ticking which will allow us to increase the amount of latex and wool as they increase in weight.”

Read the full article at her website: Yoga Pants and Bonbons.