Right now is a great time to look at sheets as fabric. The big box stores have a great selection on hand with their getting ready for school supplies. This is my first time at setting up a dorm room and I have bought more sheets now than I have probably bought in the last five years all together.... not as sheets but as fabric. Where I live I am starved for fabric stores and since the girls want black for bed skirts, the sheets are not only an accessible fabric source... they are much more economical than fabric off the bolt even if I did travel 64 miles to buy it.
Explore Sewing
Comments
Since sheets always seem to be sold in “sets” now, I have begun purchasing ONLY white sheets/sets. They can be plain, or have some woven-in design but the color will always be white. That way they can be mixed and matched as needed if eventually one piece becomes unusable. I can also swap in printed pillowcases (color print on a white background) made from other remnants to jazz things up.
Extra/old white sheets are also good backing for quilts or for various projects.
I saw this post on the needlecrafts newsletter and have printed the page for keepers:) Here in the UK linens sets are hard to come by, most sheets are sold individually so we have some really spectacular choices!
I have to say too that in the two years I’ve been in the UK I have seen the same shortage of fabric shops here as I had started to see in the US. The only way to get fabric and notions here is online for the most part, just like in the States.
I could drive nearly 100 miles for a shop but online is easier, but yes, lol, I DO check the bed linens department in the local stores for sheets to use as fabric before I go online:) I have found some really lovely sheets to use for everything from household linens and curtains to clothes. I made my husband two sets of winter pyjamas from brushed cotton (UK for flannel, lol) sheets I found in the clearance bin.
I’ve done that before. Someone gave me an old set of satin sheets and I mad myself some nice PJs out of them. My living room curtains are flat cotton sheets., double lined with 50 cent a yard fabrics, showing white on the outside. I put them on the curtain rod with cafe clips and No one would know (I think.) I went to look for individual replacement sheets last year and I, too, discovered that nearly everything is a “set.” I lucked out and got some individuals at Target, but those ended up being for the bed.
I am finding that everywhere I look all I can see are microfiber sheets. I do not like the way the material feels. I have purchased a set for my bed but I never use them. They are slick and crawly; wont stay on the bed, and seem to stick to you! Plus they have a lot of static cling no matter how much fabric softner you use! Is anyone else using them either as linens or to sew? Are you having the same problems I mentioned? What are you using them to make if you are sewing with them?
I use sheets to make caftans , and the ones that aren’t good enuf I use to make toothbrush rugs . I prefer 100% cotton to sleep on , but like a 60/40 blend for rugs as it makes them more durable , and wash better. Sheets are so much cheaper than fabric , especially when I find them at garage sales !
I use sheets to make caftans , and the ones that aren’t good enuf I use to make toothbrush rugs . I prefer 100% cotton to sleep on , but like a 60/40 blend for rugs as it makes them more durable , and wash better. Sheets are so much cheaper than fabric , especially when I find them at garage sales ! I have the same problem with the microfiber too !
I love sheets!! I use them as batting in light quilts, baby quilts, and as 12″ squares for string quilts. I like them for backs of quilts, lining for bags, and have on occasion used them to make slips for skirts. I buy them when on sale, at garage sales, thrit stores, and friends even save some for me. They are a great source of material when creativity strikes……….
I use a worn out fitted bottom heet to make bed skirts. I put the sheet on the bed, and mark a sewing line with a yardstick.
I’ve been using my extra flat sheets (10) for drop cloths for painting. I think I’ll stop doing that a sew them into items. I did save out 2 large flannel sheets. You ladies have given me new ideas how to use them.