You know the old adage: "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without". Well, when it comes to the sheets on our bed we've already surpassed those first two and have moved into the "make it do" stage before we "
throw them out"! I love these sheets. We have a king-sized bed and sheets aren't cheap. About a year ago my husband suggested replacing them when we got one of those ubiquitous
Bed Bath and Beyond coupons in the mail. We even went to the store and looked. This wasn't a financial matter as much as me just being picky; I don't like the way new sheets feel. I like our old ones, they are soft, they are broken in. The breaking in period has continued; they have now reached threadbare status. Last night every time I rolled over in bed I caught my hand in the top portion of the sheet and it ripped a little bit more... I felt as though I was under attack. When we got up this morning my husband asked me if it was finally time. Time to toss them and go shopping. He was happy, I hated to be a kill-joy, but...no, not yet, I can fix them; and
sew, I did! I stripped off the top sheet, stitched away, and contentedly remade the bed with the now frankensteined version of our original sheet. They will do...
for awhile. Eventually we will make it to the store, this isn't a matter of spending anymore; now it's become a challenge! How long will they last? Time will tell; I can be stubborn, and I have a lot of thread!
Life is Good!
10 comments:
If you want soft sheets, how about those "new" jersey type sheets? I say "new" cause they've been available for a while now.
Lurking Linda
There is something about sheets that have already been worn in. I understand about wanting to keep them as long as possible. I have a couple of sheets that have passed the stage of using on a bed,and I am debating whether I am up to putting them into a utility quilt.
Boy do I agree with you about sheets. I think they are yet another thing that is getting cheaply made. I'm going to do some patching so ours last a little longer.
For some reason I have a lot of king size sheets and I have a queen bed. I've held on to them because of their softness. I think it is time to make at least one pair smaller to fit my bed.
I am with you on the lovely feel of 'worn in' sheets. Have grown up with the whole 'use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without' and my Grandma had it down to an art form! You know, if you have some' worn in' lightly used singles, you can use them and reuse the hardly worn sides and ends of the fitted sheets that are 'worn out' to make new sheets. Works well. Worn out flat sheets, make good pillowslips from the unworn portion from the sides and ends.
I find it a bit disconcerting that many younger people do not know how to "make do and mend" and are so quick to buy new.
Hope you are having a better winter than last year,
Best wishes from Rieann in very hot Western Australia.
*LOL* Got a good chuckle out of this, Mrs. G.
There is a certain smug satisfaction out of being able to squeeze every last drop out of something we love. You are doing well, and I hope Mr. G can endure a little longer while you continue in your quest to "make do".
I share your love of "worn in" sheets. The new ones just do not compare. I have many patched, one top sheet has crocheted trim done by my grandmother and that sheet has many patches. One use for old sheets to is to patch other old sheets.
How timely! I just took our top sheet upstairs to make repairs ... the band across the top is separating from the bottom part (an easy repair) but I absolutely LOVE these sheets. Soft, comfortable, well worn, expensive when we first got them I alternate them with another, similar pair. I don't like the feel of percale and 100% cotton sheets take awhile to "soften" to the right feel. Replacing something that provides such simple pleasure shouldn't be such a challenge! Use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without! Linda
My daughter thinks I am so cheap because I also mend my sheets.... I like them and it's not a matter of money for me either, more of a challenge :) It is nice to know that I am not alone... As my mother-in-law always said: use what you have! I will have break down and buy some new ones soon though. Old sheets are also wonderful to use when weaving rag rugs so they will get another use, not on my beds but on my floors!
I have a set of wonderfully soft sheets that I love! My issue is that the elastic has worn out on the fitted sheet. I will be putting new elastic on them soon. I recently bought a new set of sheets to replace a beyond repair set. They have been washed several times and are already pilling. They are 500 thread count 100% cotton and were not cheap! We own 2 king size beds so I keep and use sheets until they can't be repaired anymore. The manufacturers must be using inferior materials these days.
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