Creases in Sheet Hems Dilemma
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Creases in Sheet Hems Dilemma Phaedrine Stonebridge 04-25-2008
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Posted by Phaedrine Stonebridge on April 25, 2008, 1:28 pm

Before I returned to the practice of line-drying my bedding, some of my
sheets developed deep creases--- pleats actually--- in the hems. I can
wet-press them after washing but the creases are so "set" that they
begin to pleat before I can even get the sheets on the bed. The pleats
are rather uncomfortable and unsightly and run the length of the hem.
Despite that these are expensive sheets with a high thread count, the
hems are only two and not three thicknesses.

So, I'm desperate for a solution to this problem. I know, now, how to
avoid it in the future: never put my sheets in the dryer and never spin
them at too high a speed. Has anyone dealt with this problem?

Here are some ideas wandering around in my head:

1. Fold the hem in half so that it is only 2 instead of 4 inches wide.
It would then be four layers thick but I fear this may not even keep it
from pleating.

2. Rip out the hem and insert an interlining or interfacing. I fear
that a fusible would eventually show through or come unbonded and that a
non-fusible would have to be maybe too heavy to compensate for the
pleating effect.

3. Rip out the hem and turn it into 3 layers instead of just two. This
would reduce the width of the hem but it would be wider than idea #1.
And, I could either (a) stitch a layer of interfacing to the inside fold
(that would not show on the outside) or (b) using a stabilizer, machine
embroider the entire length of the outermost fold and then close the hem
and stitch it. OTOH, I'm worried that embroidery might make it too
stiff and uncomfortable.

4. Cut off the offending hems and sew on an entirely new, contrasting
hem. One set is solid cream color and the other set is solid pale blue
so I could use a floral border I guess.

I'm probably missing some really obvious simple solution. I'd really
appreciate any thoughts you all might have. Thanks!

Phae
--
"The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time
with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-- Thomas Jefferson

Posted by Judie in Penfield NY on April 27, 2008, 10:51 pm
Phae,

I am assuming you've tried ironing these hems, but have you tried
sponging the hems with vinegar and then ironing? Regular white vinegar
can take out creases, I've used it in the past when I let down hems that
had creases showing from the old hem. Just sponge

Judie


Phaedrine Stonebridge wrote:
> Before I returned to the practice of line-drying my bedding, some of my
> sheets developed deep creases--- pleats actually--- in the hems. I can
> wet-press them after washing but the creases are so "set" that they
> begin to pleat before I can even get the sheets on the bed. The pleats
> are rather uncomfortable and unsightly and run the length of the hem.
> Despite that these are expensive sheets with a high thread count, the
> hems are only two and not three thicknesses.
>
> So, I'm desperate for a solution to this problem. I know, now, how to
> avoid it in the future: never put my sheets in the dryer and never spin
> them at too high a speed. Has anyone dealt with this problem?
>
> Here are some ideas wandering around in my head:
>
> 1. Fold the hem in half so that it is only 2 instead of 4 inches wide.
> It would then be four layers thick but I fear this may not even keep it
> from pleating.
>
> 2. Rip out the hem and insert an interlining or interfacing. I fear
> that a fusible would eventually show through or come unbonded and that a
> non-fusible would have to be maybe too heavy to compensate for the
> pleating effect.
>
> 3. Rip out the hem and turn it into 3 layers instead of just two. This
> would reduce the width of the hem but it would be wider than idea #1.
> And, I could either (a) stitch a layer of interfacing to the inside fold
> (that would not show on the outside) or (b) using a stabilizer, machine
> embroider the entire length of the outermost fold and then close the hem
> and stitch it. OTOH, I'm worried that embroidery might make it too
> stiff and uncomfortable.
>
> 4. Cut off the offending hems and sew on an entirely new, contrasting
> hem. One set is solid cream color and the other set is solid pale blue
> so I could use a floral border I guess.
>
> I'm probably missing some really obvious simple solution. I'd really
> appreciate any thoughts you all might have. Thanks!
>
> Phae

Posted by Phaedrine Stonebridge on April 28, 2008, 12:21 pm

> Phae,
>
> I am assuming you've tried ironing these hems, but have you tried
> sponging the hems with vinegar and then ironing? Regular white vinegar
> can take out creases, I've used it in the past when I let down hems that
> had creases showing from the old hem. Just sponge


Oh yes. I've tried pressing and with vinegar too. It did not work.
They are creased almost like permanent pleats.
--
"The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time
with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-- Thomas Jefferson

Posted by Candide on April 28, 2008, 7:27 am






>
> Before I returned to the practice of line-drying my bedding, some of
my
> sheets developed deep creases--- pleats actually--- in the hems. I
can
> wet-press them after washing but the creases are so "set" that they
> begin to pleat before I can even get the sheets on the bed. The
pleats
> are rather uncomfortable and unsightly and run the length of the hem.
> Despite that these are expensive sheets with a high thread count, the
> hems are only two and not three thicknesses.
>
> So, I'm desperate for a solution to this problem. I know, now, how to
> avoid it in the future: never put my sheets in the dryer and never
spin
> them at too high a speed. Has anyone dealt with this problem?

Are we speaking of the large hem (top) or the small (bottom)?

Have found this problem mainly on new sheets, though the first few
washes of my vintage Wamsutta percales gave similar problems. However
since I line damp-dry all my linens, then iron, pulling the hems
straight isn't that much of a problem.

Try using warm water instead of very hot or hot for laundering. Also
spin for as short time as possible, then allow sheets to line dry if
possible. What is probably going on is some contraction of stitching,
especially if hems have cording or some such decoration. Find pulling
the hems taut before sheets are totally dry helps. Back in the old days
two people, one on each end would pull sheets taut, especially the hems
to smooth things out, even if they were not going to be ironed.

Hope this helps.

Candide



Posted by Phaedrine Stonebridge on April 28, 2008, 12:37 pm

> >
> > Before I returned to the practice of line-drying my bedding, some
> > of my sheets developed deep creases--- pleats actually--- in the
> > hems. I can wet-press them after washing but the creases are so
> > "set" that they begin to pleat before I can even get the sheets on
> > the bed. The pleats are rather uncomfortable and unsightly and run
> > the length of the hem. Despite that these are expensive sheets with
> > a high thread count, the hems are only two and not three
> > thicknesses.
> >
> > So, I'm desperate for a solution to this problem. I know, now, how
> > to avoid it in the future: never put my sheets in the dryer and
> > never spin them at too high a speed. Has anyone dealt with this
> > problem?
>
> Are we speaking of the large hem (top) or the small (bottom)?

Thanks for responding (and to Judie too!). Like I said in my post, it
is the 4 inch wide hem.

> Have found this problem mainly on new sheets, though the first few
> washes of my vintage Wamsutta percales gave similar problems. However
> since I line damp-dry all my linens, then iron, pulling the hems
> straight isn't that much of a problem.
>
> Try using warm water instead of very hot or hot for laundering. Also
> spin for as short time as possible, then allow sheets to line dry if
> possible. What is probably going on is some contraction of stitching,
> especially if hems have cording or some such decoration. Find pulling
> the hems taut before sheets are totally dry helps. Back in the old days
> two people, one on each end would pull sheets taut, especially the hems
> to smooth things out, even if they were not going to be ironed.

I have to use hot water since I have a pretty terrible dust mite
allergy. I spin the sheets at a low setting. But, like I said, this
happened before I started hanging out my laundry again. Unless this is
just an inherent problem with some new sheets, I think I can prevent it
with line-drying. What I'm looking for is a fix for the already
affected sheets.

It's interesting that you mention old sheets though. This has not
happened with *any* of my vintage sheets (still in use), either percale
or muslin, despite the exact same treatment. These particular sheets
are 350 thread count pima cotton from The Company Store. I wonder if
newer factory fabric treatments are causing this problem.

Thanks.

Phae
--
"The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time
with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-- Thomas Jefferson

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