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What’s up with sheets?

Indulge me in a linen rant. Back in the day, about 1977, good sheets were 180 thread count percale and lasted forever. They wore well and improved with age. The elastic in the fitted ones would wear out before the fabric. They cost a quarter the price and lasted ten times as long. 

Fast forward to now. These flimsy things are nearly clear. Don't believe me? Hold them up to the light. Their life expectancy is about a year or two, and they emerge from the dryer looking like elephant trunks, long wrinkled tubular objects in desperate need of a steam roller.

Does that count as a post? It was about fiber, wasn't it?

And (that`s another thing that`s changed over the years, though not necessarily a bad thing, it used to be unacceptable for sentences to begin with the word 'and') because all posts need a photo, I give you the miraculous mother and child cob of corn that appeared in our house last week:

IMG_2999

You think I could have sold it on e-bay?

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16 responses to “What’s up with sheets?”

  1. Jane Avatar
    Jane

    Yes you should have put that Mom and babe corn on e-bay! Along with my minnie mouse strawberry!

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  2. Marina Avatar
    Marina

    Don’t know about 1977, but I still have sheets from the late 80’s and they still look good.
    Did you choose that one because it was extra plump?

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  3. Monika Avatar
    Monika

    My mom just got linen sheets from HER AUNT, and she will give me one. I’m not going to use it on my bed, but will treasure it, because it was made by my mothers aunt’s mother. In this case the old was better then the new.
    I’m sure you would have made a ton on ebay with your corn! :o)))

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  4. Carole Avatar
    Carole

    We’ve had some high quality (read: expensive) sheets that have worn holes in no time so I know just what you mean. Love that ear of corn – you should have sold it on ebay!

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  5. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    A-MAZING….. (hardy har har har)

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  6. Dorothy Avatar
    Dorothy

    I’ve heard good things about Costco’s Kirkland brand sheets. I think I’ll try them next time I venture out to buy. Buying sheets is almost as painful as buying bras. No scratch that – nothing’s as painful as buying bras. If people will buy a piece of toast with the image of the Virgin Mary or a hot dog that has a bite out of it by a big movies star, why not a mamma/baby ear of corn. Too bad it won’t keep.

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  7. Suzanne V. (Yarnhog) Avatar
    Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)

    If you’d called it “Madonna and Child” I’m sure you could have gotten a mint.
    I cannot wear out sheets. I have to look for excuses to get rid of them. Maybe it’s what you’re doing with them…:)

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  8. Rosie Avatar
    Rosie

    Enter that mother and child corn in bunch of photo contests. You will win enough money to buy a nice stash of your favorite yarns.
    I buy my sheets on QVC,com or HSN.com or Shop NBC.com. They are great and are 600 thread count. I have a great set of really thick high thread count sheets
    The kids are home visiting this weekend. Lauren broke up with Pat this weekend. That is the end of an era that lasted 4 1/2 years.

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  9. Rebekah Avatar
    Rebekah

    So True! I never remebmer my mom buying me new sheets when I was little, I’m sure she did, but I remember using the same sheets for years and years. Now I’m fortunate if I get 1 year out of our sheets before their raggedy and torn, and thread bear. And they won’t stay on the mattress at all!
    Now that is one bizarre ear of corn!

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  10. Norma Avatar
    Norma

    YOU ARE SO RIGHT!! Buy the expensive 300-500-thread count things, and they pill! That’s disgusting! Right now I am sleeping on a pillowcase that my husband’s mother must have bought in the ’60s or ’70s (based on the psychedelic design) and it is the softest, smoothest thing ever. I bought expensive 300-thread-count designer sheets for the guest room, and they’ve already pilled, after maybe four uses and washings. They feel awful. Crap.

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  11. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    I buy my sheets at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and always get 100% cotton and the highest thread count I can afford. They last very well and just keep getting softer with age. BB and B has some really, really nice (uber expensive) sheets that feel ogasmically good just in the package. I’ve not bought any of these but can imagine that if I did, I’d never want to get out of bed.

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  12. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    Hi – I’m new to your blog. Could I please get a copy of your Herringbone Rib Scarf pattern? Thanks!

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  13. Dee Avatar
    Dee

    Looks like Mother Mary and Baby Jesus to me. Surely you could get on the news, if not make a bajillion on E-bay.

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  14. Criquette Avatar
    Criquette

    I am in 100% agreement about sheets. I still have some percale sheets and pillow cases I inherited from my mom and I love sleeping on them (sadly they only fit the guest room bed, but I sleep on the cases all the time). I bought some of those high thread count “designer” sheets and the first time they came out of the wash, I went through every cuss word I know and made up some new ones. Those things were so wrinkled! I’ll be damned if I’m going to start ironing sheets.
    The corn is a-maize-ing (get it??? – please tell me you didn’t eat it!

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  15. Saoirsé Avatar
    Saoirsé

    Hi there from England! I hope you enjoyed Italy…my favourite place; after Ireland, naturally! I enjoyed looking around your site, very entertaining and enjoyable. May I please have a copy of your patterns. I can see from your site that you are a really acomplished and talented knitter. I have just come back to knitting after a spell of absense, I can’t beleive the selectiion of yarn available now. As for the sheet issue, I buy Egyptian Cotton and have no problems and they even seem to improve with age. 🙂

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  16. Saoirsé Avatar
    Saoirsé

    Hi I sent you the post…”Hi there from England!” I don’t know why it has me listed as Criquette, I am clearly not, I have no idea how I managed that at all. My genius never ceases to impress even me! So it is moi, Saoirsé who has asked for the patterns. Many thanks!

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