Dreams of Linen

March 25, 2016 8:00 PM

I've just found out that linen sheets are a thing. It's my birthday soon, and I'm considering doing the most self-indulgent thing that I've ever done and buy a set. I've seen this previously, but was hoping that there might be more answers now, four years on.

Is a cotton/linen blend better than linen by itself? I'm a freak of nature who doesn't so much as roll over once I'm asleep, so I'm not especially concerned about linen getting balled up or wrinkling, but are there other benefits that I'm not aware of?

Has anyone purchased sheets from any of the many Etsy sellers who sell them? Are there things that I should be watching out for, somehow? As is probably obvious, I know almost nothing about this other than that I love soft, crisp sheets, I love linen, and I love cool sheets. Any advice, suggestions, or warnings appreciated.

posted by mishafletch to Home & Garden (11 answers total)

I have linen, silk and cotton sheets. I haven't tried cotton-linen blends, but linen by itself is great and I thoroughly recommend it. I like crisp, tight sheets underneath so use cotton on the mattress, but silk and linen both make really lovely topsheets especially when it's hot. Even when it's cold, linen makes a nice layer between you and the duvet, feeling cool without making you cold.

I have seen advice that they shouldn't go into the dryer which doesn't affect me as I line dry everything anyway, but might matter to you and/or affect the choice between linen and linen/cotton.
posted by tavegyl at 8:18 PM on March 25, 2016

The 'previously' you linked takes a swipe at The Company Store, but I've been happy with the non-linen, ah, linens I've purchased. If you're wanting to dip your toe into a new sheeting material, they have linen on sale right now (patterned, which can coordinate with their solid-color, full-price linen selections), plus a "Family & Friends, 20% off Event with free shipping, Code: PL20FS16" promotion that's good on your entire order. Okay return policy (you'd pay return shipping, though). One warning - if you're looking at duvet covers, double-check the measurements.
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:20 PM on March 25, 2016

I love love love linen sheets. They look beautiful, even wrinkled, and they feel amazing. The best thing I ever did for my bed. Cool and non-clingy in summer, warm and snuggly in winter. I have bought standard linen sheets from Cultiver because they are well fitted and strong. My favourites though are the Etsy sellers who trade in antique French linen. It's far more expensive than buying the same antique linens in France, but still a lot cheaper than even cotton sheet sets from big retailers. I love finding ones with embroidered stitching and edging. Eg. Eg. The nicest thing about the Etsy finds is that the seller always puts a cute addition in the post as well. I have gorgeous little doilies and hand towels with hand embroidered bits on them.

[If you do buy antique ones - and I think the best are from 1930s/40s trousseaus - be aware that they are very long, rather than wide. Like 3m long, and 1.8m/2m wide. This is so the top folds down showing the embroidery almost to half way down the bed. This is a feature, not bug, in my mind but you might not like it so much.]
posted by honey-barbara at 8:23 PM on March 25, 2016

Linen is my favorite, and what we have on our bed probably 95% of the time. We put it in the dryer, and haven't had any problems. We never bother with pressing or ironing. We have a few different sets, but none from Etsy. Our favorites are from Linoto.
posted by primethyme at 8:26 PM on March 25, 2016

I've bought linen pillowcases from knockknocklinen at Etsy, and LOVE them. They look gorgeous all rumply on the bed, and absorb sweat like nobody's business. I also adore the linen duvet cover and sheet set I've purchased recently from Restoration Hardware. Once you go linen you never go back.
posted by the webmistress at 9:35 PM on March 25, 2016

Seconding primethyme's recommendation of Linoto. Amazing sheets.
posted by Mrs. Davros at 12:31 AM on March 26, 2016

I have cotton, linen and cotton/linen sheets. I think the mix sheets are my favorites, they wear very well. But actually, I like to change and mix.
posted by mumimor at 12:44 AM on March 26, 2016

If you are the sort who sleeps with a duvet cover and no flat sheet and a duvet cover comes into consideration under the auspices of "sheets," IKEA's "Linblomma" is a terrific deal for the price. I have two sets and they just get softer and more lovely as time goes by.

If I was splashing out on linen sheets I would definitely go with 100% linen.
posted by kmennie at 7:44 AM on March 26, 2016

I friggin love my linen sheets, which I got from an etsy seller. (https://www.etsy.com/shop/LENOKLINENCOM) I haven't shopped around, but I didn't run into any trouble or surprises with the place I bought from.
posted by spindrifter at 9:39 AM on March 26, 2016

Thanks so much for the input! Spindrifter, as it happens, the shop that you mentioned was one that I'd been eyeing, so I think that I'm taking it as a sign and buying those. Honorable mention to honey-barbara, tho, because I had no idea that I wanted to stalk a bunch of vintage linen etsys, but wow, apparently I did. Thank you!
posted by mishafletch at 7:21 PM on March 27, 2016

I don't have anything to add here, except that before this post, I didn't know linen sheets were "a thing." Now I do. And now I'm ABSOLUTELY buying two or three sets after Mrs. Sense and I buy our new bed soon. Waking up aching every single day after trying to sleep on our 11-year-old mattress is getting a little old. So when we upgrade to a new one, we might as well upgrade everything. Thanks so much, everyone!
posted by CommonSense at 10:23 PM on April 1, 2016