How to Choose Cot Sheets: Muslin vs Jersey, Fit, and Care (Australia)
Cot sheets aren’t the glamorous part of setting up a nursery, but they matter every single day. They’re the layer your baby rests on, the thing you wash most often, and the piece that can make a sleep space feel calm, soft, and “finished”.
At Fledge & Thread, our cot sheets are designed by hand in Australia, with our hand-illustrated prints and gentle colour palettes made to suit classic and modern nurseries.
If you’re new here, start with our Parent Guide to Fledge & Thread (a simple introduction to our world):
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/pages/parents-guide-to-fledge-and-thread
The two questions to ask before you choose
1) Do you want airy and light, or soft and stretchy?
This is the big “feel” difference between muslin and jersey.
2) Do you need extra grip on the mattress?
If you’ve ever wrestled a fitted sheet at midnight with one hand while holding a baby with the other, you’ll appreciate a snug, stay-put fit.
Muslin vs Jersey cot sheets: what’s the difference?
Muslin cot sheets (breathable, cloud-soft, lightly textured)
Muslin is loved for its airy, breathable feel. It’s a beautiful choice if you prefer bedding that feels light, especially in warmer weather or when you’re layering with other pieces.
Our Muslin Cot Sheets are made from 100% organic cotton muslin and printed with our signature hand-illustrated designs.
Shop Muslin Cot Sheets:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/muslin-cot-sheets
Jersey cot sheets (stretchy, snug, whisper-soft)
Jersey sheets have a soft stretch, which helps them hug the mattress and stay in place. If you like a smoother feel (or you want that “snug fit” reassurance), jersey can be a lovely option.
Our Jersey Cot Sheets are crafted from 100% breathable cotton and designed to be stretchy enough for a stay-put fit.
Shop Jersey Cot Sheets:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/jersey-cot-sheets
A simple side-by-side (save this for later)
Choose muslin if you want:
- A light, breathable feel
- A subtle texture that feels airy
- A sheet that suits warm nights and easy layering
Choose jersey if you want:
- A smooth, soft feel
- A stretchy sheet that stays snug on the mattress
- A simple, “pull it on and it stays put” fit
- And if you can’t decide? Many families have both, then rotate based on the season, laundry cycles, and what feels best.
Fit matters more than you think (especially for peace of mind)
A cot sheet should fit snugly and smoothly on the mattress, without bunching or loose fabric. That’s why fit is just as important as fabric.
Standard cot sizing
Many cot mattresses follow a standard cot size, but not all do. As a guide, you’ll often see standard cot sizing around 77 cm x 130 cm.
If your mattress is slightly smaller or a different shape, you may find one fabric style suits better than another:
- Jersey’s stretch can be helpful for getting a taut finish
- Muslin can feel beautifully breathable, but you still want it pulled smooth and snug
Practical tip: before the baby arrives (or during a calm moment), pop the sheet on and check the corners and edges sit taut.
Shop all cot sheets:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/fitted-cot-sheets
How many cot sheets do you actually need?
A realistic starting point for most families is:
- 2 cot sheets minimum
- 3 - 4 cot sheets if you want life to feel easier (especially in the newborn months)
If you’re using a mattress protector, you may still want extra sheets, because sheets are usually what you’ll change most often.
Care and washing (because laundry is real)
Your cot sheets should be easy to care for, because they’ll be washed often.
- Our cot sheets are designed to be machine washable
- Many of our cotton bedding pieces recommend a gentle wash around 30°C
- Drying flat (or a low tumble where suitable) helps keep fabrics looking and feeling their best
Always check the care instructions on your specific product page, especially if you’re mixing different fabric types in your bedding rotation.
Seasonal bedding: making the cot feel “just right”
Cot sheets are your base layer. From there, many parents adjust warmth using easy-to-remove layers (rather than swapping everything).
A gentle approach:
- Warm weather: breathable base (muslin can feel especially lovely), then add or remove light layers as needed.
- Cooler weather: keep your base sheet, then layer thoughtfully with appropriate sleepwear and safe bedding choices for your baby’s age and stage.
If you like building coordinated sets, our range is designed to mix beautifully across categories.
Explore baby blankets:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/babyblankets
Explore swaddles & wraps:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/baby-swaddles-and-wraps
Choosing cot sheets as a gift (quietly one of the best baby shower gifts)
Cot sheets are one of those gifts parents don’t always buy enough of early on, and then immediately wish they had. If you want something thoughtful, practical, and still beautiful, they’re a lovely choice.
Newborn gifting ideas:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/newborn-gift-ideas
A gentle safe-sleep note
Every baby and every family is different. If you’re ever unsure about bedding and sleep setup, it’s worth checking recognised safe sleep guidance in Australia for your baby’s age and stage. The goal is always a safe sleep space with bedding that fits properly and doesn’t create loose fabric risks.
Quick guide to choosing your first cot sheet
If you’re standing at the “add to cart” moment, here’s the simplest way to decide:
-
If you want airy, breathable, lightly textured: start with muslin
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/muslin-cot-sheets -
If you want soft, smooth, snug and stay-put: start with jersey
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/jersey-cot-sheets -
If you want to browse everything together:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/fitted-cot-sheets
And if you’d like the bigger picture of our stories, fabrics, and how our pieces fit together, our Parent Guide is always the best place to begin:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/pages/parents-guide-to-fledge-and-thread
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