Fitted Sheets

I would like to make a one-piece item of fitted/top sheets for my non-standard shape mattress in our RV.

I have a pattern for the fitted bottom sheet which I got on the Internet and I thought to just attach the top sheet. I see a problem, though, crushed toes. I though to sew in several pleats so the top could expand allow room for feet.

But where do I put the pleats? Allong the bottom edge or along each side toward the bottom? or both?

How deep do the pleats need to be?

:Hexe

-- : Thought for the journey: Sin can be defined as a wrong that leaves an impression. - Deepak Chopra

I didn't think of gathers but pleats. I thought it would look neater with a couple of pleats along the bottom. But your idea of gathering the bottom edge might actually be better. That would look neater because sometimes pleat don't fall back into place neatly.

I never had either until we went to a new RV exhibition and there was a distributor from Italy who made custom fitted outfits for RVs, everything zipped together. But the price was ?150, I didn't care for any of his color/patterns and he only did rectangular mattresses. I asked if he could do one for out mattress but he didn't speak English, I didn't speak Italian. He took the measurements and my email address because he had to check with his seamstress. He never contacted me.

I remember when my son had a waterbed, the fitted bottom sheet and flat top sheet were attached. So I thought I'd try doing this for the RV. Trying to make up a bed in an RV is a real bother.

I can't picture this.

You cut the fitted sheet toward the upper end (under where the pillows would lie) and sewed in a section taken from a extra flat sheet? If you had an extra flat sheet why not attach some of it to the bottom of your top sheet allowing you enough to tuck under your chin?

When I was trying to explain to my partner what I wanted to do, he made a very important observation. Only sew the sheets together about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom. How would he get in/out of bed after I was in place unless he uncovered me and crawled in over me. If his side (wall side) were left partially open he could climb over me, open the bedding from the wall and climb in.

:Hexe

-- : Thought for the journey: A hug warms the soul and places a smile in the heart.

I solved this problem by using a duvet with a cover.

arlene

You used the duvet as a sleeping bag and crawled in with a blanket over the whole thing?

What a concept and brilliant!! I am so anal about top/bottom sheet being real top/bottom sheet.

Okay, so what do you do so that the naked mattress isn't hanging out there in front of God and everybody?

No-- I use a fitted bottom sheet (an electric mattress pad beneath) and a quilt with a cover. No blanket, its easier that way.

arlene

Silly me. You used the duvet over the RV's mattress cover!!

I took mine off. I hated the pattern and the material didn't look to be that easy to care for. The fabric is too scratchy. Also, I use a mattress protector.

I like the idea of using a duvet cover as a sleeping pouch. I'd only have to rip out one side part-way down to allow for easily crawling in.

It would also be neater on the bed.

I don't make my bed anymore since reading more about mites than I wanted to. I just fold sheet/blanket down to the bottom of the bed so bedding can dry.

If I used a sleeping pouch it could be neatly folded in the same way; just have to get an attractive fitted sheet to serve as cover when not a bed. Maybe even put pillows loosely into folded duvet and put at the top of the bed to make it look more finished.

This would eliminate trying to shove everything back after you've raised the mattress to get something under the bed. Our RV always looks as if WE live in it '-(

OHBOY!!!!! A legitimate reason to not make my bed!!!!!! Was it online, and do you have links? *best innocent look*

I'm making a new sheet set for a little tent trailer myself. I was thinking of sewing the top sheet to the fitted sheet as I applied the elastic to the bottom sheet. Of course, I haven't seen any of the joined sheets to compare to; I've just heard of them.

Pam

In the past year we brought something into the house which produced an allergic reaction in both of us. My partner was more affected than me because I live on allergy pills anyway and didn't know I was reacting to something different.

He did INTENSE research, saw several specialists, government disease agencies (they don't care about only 2 people) etc. trying to find the source and how to get rid of it. He looked into bed mites as a possible factor, can't remember where we came across that information. But it did remove the guilt of never making up the bed. Now there is a reason! I just the blankets (neatly) to the foot of the bed.

Never found the source and doctors don't care. Their response is "don't know" and they leave it at that.

I've seen it in other places that I can't find now - probably a newspaper or magazine. There was something about the quantity of sweat that we produce every night - several pints, IIRC - that made me start to fold the duvet down in the morning instead of fluffing it right over the mattress.

But I do fold it back neatly. Honest.

Mostly.

HTH,

You've just invented the AYH sheet sack!

(I wonder whether they're still doing that -- I haven't seen a hostel since the 1980s)

Joy Beeson

I'd totally forgotten about those! '-)

they were still using them 5 years ago in Denmark and England.